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Businesses 

Region wide, garbage from private sector business counts for over 50% of the region’s waste (about 600 thousand tonnes per year). This waste needs to be managed under the region’s new solid waste plan.
 Solid Waste Planning

The region’s new waste management plan sets the following targets for businesses:

  • Institutional, commercial and industrial 70% of waste is kept out of the landfill (this category includes commercial businesses, school, hospitals, producers etc)
  • Demolition, land clearing and construction 80% (this category includes building construction and demolition)

If you operate a business, there is a financial benefit to managing your waste efficiently. These benefits are not just through cost savings. Studies show that businesses that commit to environmental and social responsibility benefit from customer recognition, higher employee retention and moral.

The real bottom line; committing to reducing your waste decreases the amount of waste going to our landfills.

Visit Metro Vancouver's sustainable business resources for ideas on where to start making changes.

link Smartsteps
link Buildsmart
link Metro Vancouver Recycles for Businesses

 Quick tips:
1.
Look in your garbage and determine what the high volume recyclable materials are. For example, a 2009 waste audit shows about 35 thousand tonnes of cardboard is not being recycled each year.
2.
Talk to your waste hauler about improving your waste system. Restructure space, bins, schedules and contracts.
3.
Ask a variety of staff for input, particularly those who use the bins. This might include janitorial or night staff, the contract administrator, and buyers.
4.
Clearly label all bins. Metro Vancouver has signs you can download.
5.
Evaluate your waste stream to look for cost savings, efficient sorting and storage and improved hauling.
Stay tuned as part of the new waste management plan calls on Metro Vancouver to develp new resources, how to's and a tool kit for businesses.

 Case Studies

Across our region, businesses are working towards a variety of ways to improve their business and at the same time lower their costs. Reducing energy use, reducing water use, purchasing and storing inventory more efficiently, and reducing waste. Some examples:

  • Professional Soccer Team Stadium makes a commitment to reducing food and beverage waste 2009
    link icon Press Release
    link icon video
  • Major Canadian shopping centre works to reduce waste 2009
    link icon video
  • Large building deconstruction timelines and diversion rates 2000
     Report

Resources

In addition to businesses that generate waste, there are also businesses that provide services which make the implementation of an integrated waste management system possible (haulers, material brokers, recyclers and others).

Use Metro Vancouver’s Product and Service Directory to connect with green building and business services.

 Product and Service Directory

Fast Facts

  • Divert as much waste from landfills as possible to help reduce greenhouse gas production. One kg of garbage can emit up to 1.7 kg of CO2 in a landfill.
  • Over 24,000 tonnes of plastic bags are disposed by Metro Vancouver residents each year - that's over 2% of the total waste stream or 11 kilograms of plastic bags per person! Choose to reuse your bags.