Per Section 4.G.14 of the Landfill and MRF Operations Agreement, by February 15th of each year Waste Connections shall prepare and submit a Diversion Plan Annual Report to the Agency, “identifying means to increase the amount of materials recycled by weight on a per capita basis by two (2) percent annually.” Upon approval by the Agency, Waste Connections shall implement recycling programs identified in the Annual Report within 30 days of approval.
Waste Connections submitted its Annual Report on February 15, 2024.
2023 Performance Compliance
As stated in the attached Annual Report, Waste Connections exceeded the goal by 1,728.59 tons, or 45%. Total outbound recyclable totals in years 2014-2023 have exceeded the goal by 12,030.46 tons, or 37%.
Additionally, a total of 7.96 tons of reusable material, including bicycles, pallets and gently-used housewares, were recovered by Waste Connections staff. Further, 225.17 tons of wood grindings/mulch were redistributed to the community at no charge in 2023.
Below is a brief analysis of programs required to be implemented by 2023. In italics is the current status of implementation:
a. Self-Haul Area.
2018 and beyond - Roofing Materials
Waste Connections will stockpile roofing materials for use as alternative daily cover. Status: Implemented.
Construction and Demolition Recycling
Waste Connections will look at the quantity of construction and demolition material accepted at the landfill and engage the Agency in discussion regarding options for processing any additional material identified. Status: Complete.
b. Landfill
All programs were required to be implemented prior to year 2023.
c. Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
All programs were required to be implemented prior to year 2023.
d. Marketing
2014 forward - To encourage and promote the new diversion efforts and programs, WC will notify customers through flyers at the scale house. These flyers will include the information necessary to communicate the new changes and programs so that our customers will fully benefit from all that is offered. These flyers will be handed out to customers as they exit the landfill so they are aware of our new programs, and can take advantage of them on their next visit. Status: Implemented.
e. Reuse
2014 forward - WC will stage a box for ‘Gently Used Items’ located at the Self-Haul Pad for items such as furniture. These items will help support a non-profit organization such as a hospice, or PATH (Poor and the Homeless). Status: Implemented.
Year 5 and Beyond Diversion Plan Requirements
Per the approved Diversion Plan, Waste Connections is required to implement, or explore the feasibility of implementing, the following diversion programs over the remainder of the contract:
Pilot Food Waste Program - Partner with a local school, nursing home or hospital in an effort to compost food waste on site. Assist in grant writing for possible funding for an in-vessel digester.
Status: Implemented and Ongoing.
Buy-Back Center - Complete. The feasibility study was completed and submitted to the Agency on December 29th, 2020. A revised study was submitted to the Agency on March 4th, 2021 based upon staff comments. Due to the high cost of initial outlay and ongoing labor, and the low return on total tons of recovered recyclables, it is not feasible to site a buy-back center at the Landfill. Further, it would likely require an additional permit revision to allow for increased traffic.
Attached is an update provided by Waste Connections discussing the above information. Waste Connections staff will be available to answer any questions.