Final draft of Cariboo RD's Solid Waste Management Plan Update released

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

After three years of public consultation, feedback and careful review, the Cariboo Regional District has released the final draft of its updated Solid Waste Management Plan. The plan sets out the broad activities the regional district will use to manage garbage, recycling, and organic waste, along with strategies to divert solid waste away from landfills over the next ten years.

The Solid Waste Management Plan will set forth waste management objectives to be achieved through the implementation of waste reduction initiatives in the final plan. These initiatives will be implemented over the next ten years, meaning some services will be initiated sooner than others, while others will be subject to further consideration and planning prior to implementation.

The plan will be reviewed by the Cariboo Regional District’s board of directors at the December 8th board meeting. If accepted by the board of directors, the plan will be referred to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for final regulatory approval. Once approved, the plan will become legally binding and authorize the regional district to carry out various projects, implement new services and fund new initiatives contained within the plan.

Significant public input was received over the previous three years, and informed decisions made by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste Management Committee on the contents of the final plan. Over 1,900 residents participated in the most recent round of public consultation in the spring, which assessed public support for seven waste reduction initiatives recommended for the plan. Overall support for six initiatives ranged from 56% to 80%, and were included in the final draft of the plan and area as follows:

1. Establish diversion and re-use centers.
2. Expand access to multi-unit recycling.
3. Increase commercial recycling availability.
4. Increase food waste prevention and divert food scraps from landfills.
5. Establish landfill disposal bans.
6. Modify rural refuse sites.

A seventh option to expand user pay systems to additional rural sites was not well supported and is not included in the implementation plan. Instead, the regional district will focus on promoting waste diversion and public education. User-pay approaches will be reviewed again in 2028 if landfilled waste is not reduced in the first five years of the plan.

In addition to the seven region-wide initiatives, nineteen rural communities were asked about proposals to establish rural curbside collection services in their neighbourhoods. Curbside collection services are planned to be implemented for four communities in the regional district, including Russet Bluff (east of Williams Lake / South Lakeside), Red Bluff (south of Quesnel), 103 Mile, and Dog Creek Road (south of Williams Lake). These communities saw high levels of support and adequate participation levels to include the implementation of services within the plan.

The regional district is not planning further public engagement on which initiatives will be included in the plan. Public engagement may be conducted on the implementation of various initiatives and build awareness of waste diversion opportunities. Residents can stay informed and receive the latest plan updates by subscribing to our Solid Waste Management Page, subscribing to regular updates through the CRD’s website or contacting the Solid Waste Management Division at 1-800-665-1636 or through mailbox@cariboord.ca.

Cariboo Regional District releases results from waste management plan consultation

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District is releasing the final results from its consultation with area residents on eight waste reduction initiatives that were proposed as part of an updated Solid Waste Management Plan. Residents were able to weigh in on proposals to: establish reuse and diversion centres; expand access to multi-unit building recycling; increase commercial recycling; food waste prevention and diversion; establishing landfill disposal bans; expanding user pay; and modifying rural refuse sites.

What we learned:

Just over 1,900 residents participated in the survey which was available this spring. Overall support for six out of seven initiatives ranged from 56% to 80%. The proposal to expand user pay systems was the least popular option, with 52% of respondents indicating some level of support, 7% who were unsure, and 41% opposed.

In addition to the seven region-wide initiatives, nineteen rural communities were asked about proposals to establish rural curbside collection services in their neighbourhoods.

Nine communities were not in favour of the proposed curbside collection service, and will not be included in future implementation plans. The communities include 93 Mile, Ranchettes-Horse Lake-Lone Butte, Pine Valley, Commodore Heights-168 Mile, Fox Mountain, Flett Subdivision, North Lake Side-Lexington, Esler, and River Park Road-Hilborn Road-Quesnel-Hixon Road.

Four areas were in favor of the service, including South Lakeside, Red Bluff, 103 Mile, and Dog Creek Road. Pending approval of the updated Solid Waste Management Plan, these communities would be included in plans to implement the service.

The remaining six areas had moderate support, ranging between 55% and 75% endorsement for the new service. However, because participation levels were 10% or below, further engagement and consideration will be required and will take place during the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Plan. These communities include West Fraser Road, Rich Bar-Dragon Lake-Kersley, Bouchie Lake-Bouchie Creek-Pinnacles Park, Barlow Creek-Ten Mile Lake, 105 Mile, and Buffalo-Gateway.

What we will do with residents’ contributions:

The CRD’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee will review the results and comments from the consultation survey to  assess regional support for the proposed waste reduction initiatives. Once this review is completed, the Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the CRD Board on which initiatives to include in the updated Solid Waste Management Plan.

A draft of the updated plan will be released in Fall 2023 and will be presented to the Municipal Councils for the District of 100 Mile House, City of Quesnel, District of Wells, and City of Williams Lake before being presented to the Regional District’s Board of Directors for approval. If approved by the Board, the plan would be submitted by the end of the year to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for review and approval.

The Solid Waste Management Plan will set forth waste management objectives to be achieved through the implementation of the waste reduction initiatives in the final plan. These initiatives will be implemented over the next ten years, meaning some services will be initiated sooner than others, while others will be subject to further consideration and planning prior to implementation.

How do I stay informed?

To stay informed and receive the latest plan updates, “subscribe” to our Solid Waste Management Page at the bottom of the project web page, www.cariboord.ca/swmp. Residents, partners, and other interested parties can also subscribe to regular updates through the CRD’s website at www.cariboord.ca/subscribe. You can also contact the Solid Waste Management Division at 1-800-665-1636.

Deadline extended to June 5th for Cariboo Regional District's Waste Management Survey

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The deadline to let the Cariboo Regional District know what you think about eight waste reduction proposals has been extended. Residents of the Cariboo and Chilcotin will be able to complete surveys on waste reduction plans and curbside waste collection until midnight on Monday, June 5 to make their opinions heard.

Residents are able to complete two surveys:

• A general survey available to all residents, seeking feedback on seven waste reduction initiatives proposed for inclusion in an updated Solid Waste Management Plan, available at www.cariboord.ca/swmp; and
• A survey specific to one of nineteen neighbourhoods where curbside collection services are being proposed, available at www.cariboord.ca/curbside.

As of May 29, there have been 1,306 surveys completed in the region providing feedback on the proposed options for the CRD’s draft Solid Waste management Plan update. The areas with the highest number of participants include Electoral Areas A (Red Bluff – Alexandria), Area E (Dog Creek), Area L (Interlakes) and Area D (Commodore Heights – McLeese Lake). Participation by municipal residents has been relatively low – 15 City of Quesnel residents have completed the survey compared to 63 from the City of Williams Lake and 41 from the District of 100 Mile house.

Participation by residents of nineteen neighbourhoods where curbside collection is being proposed has also been very low. Of over 7,000 notices mailed directly to each property in these areas, only 689 responses have been received as of May 29. Average participation by residents is under ten percent of each neighbourhood’s estimated population.

Residents are being asked to complete the survey to ensure that the results of consultation on the regional district’s Solid Waste Management Planning is effective, informed, and reflective of the region’s vision for waste reduction. More information about each proposal, the impacts of each option, and survey links can be found at www.cariboord.ca/swmp.

SWMP Survey responses by area

Cariboo RD Solid Waste Management Plan released for public consultation

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has released an updated draft of its Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) for input and review by CRD and municipal residents.  This marks the next step in continuous improvement of the CRD’s SWMP that will guide our waste management for the next ten years.

Together the residents and businesses in the CRD, Cities of Quesnel and Williams Lake, and the Districts of 100 Mile House and Wells add 42,000 metric tonnes of garbage to our landfills. When this is allocated across all residents it amounts to 640 kilograms/person/year. The cost of managing all this waste is about nine million dollars per year. We need to reduce our garbage generation to mitigate cost increases, meet resident’s recycling and composting expectations, work towards provincial targets, protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We want your feedback on the Draft SWMP Update. Visit www.cariboord.ca/swmp to:

• Read more about the Draft SWMP Update and proposed options
• Watch pre-recorded information sessions
• Register for virtual information meetings
  • May 10, Noon or 4pm (one hour) – Options Overview
  • May 11, Noon or 4pm (30 minutes) – Curbside Collection Option
  • Register to attend an open house near you from 4-6:30pm with brief presentations at 4:30 and 5:30pm. Drop ins are welcome too.
    • May 16 – Williams Lake
    • May 17 – Quesnel
    • May 18 – District of 100 Mile House

The Draft SWMP Update is the result of collaboration and input from the CRD's Solid Waste Advisory Committee, which is comprised of interested residents, First Nation representatives, environmental organization members, industry representatives, and local government staff. After reviewing public consultation feedback gathered in June of 2021, the Advisory Committee identified eight future options to reduce waste sent to landfills and improve refuse site compliance. If all options are undertaken, we could reduce landfilled waste by 100 kilograms per person per year, or 6,300 tonnes.

Visit cariboord.ca/swmp to learn more or call us at 1-800-665-1636.