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Goal 1: Minimize Waste Generation
Goal 2: Maximize Reuse, Recycling and Material Recovery
Goal 3: Recover Energy from the Waste Stream after Material Recycling
Goal 4: Dispose of all remaining waste in landfill after material recycling and energy recovery
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For information relating to the Development of the Plan and the Consultation Process see:
 Consultation

Zero Waste Challenge
Find out about Metro Vancouver’s campaign to help residents and businesses reduce waste, reuse more and boost recycling.

Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan 

The Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan was approved by the Metro Vancouver Board on June 30, 2010 and by the Province on July 22, 2011.

The plan’s first priority is to reduce, reuse and recycle as much garbage as we possibly can.  This region now recycles about 55 per cent of its garbage. That’s far better than the 22 per cent Canadian average.

The plan outlines initiatives to achieve even higher waste diversion rates: 70 per cent by 2015 and 80 per cent by 2020.
Overview of the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan

The Goals identified in the ISWRMP include:

 Goal 1 Minimize waste generation
 Goal 2 Maximize reuse, recycling and material recovery
 Goal 3 Recover energy from waste stream after material recovery
 Goal 4 Dispose of all waste in landfill after material recycling and energy recovery

Metro Vancouver is responsible for managing the garbage produced by 2.3 million residents and businesses in the Lower Mainland. Approval of the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan (ISWRMP) in July 2011 sets the framework for solid waste management in the Metro Vancouver Region for the next decade. The Plan has been divided into four main Goals.

 Garbage Facts from 2010
  • 3,075,392 tonnes of solid waste were produced which leads to Goal 1
  • 1,676,117 tonnes of materials were recycled and diverted from disposal (55%) which leads to
    Goal 2
  • 284,277 tonnes of solid waste went to the Waste-to-Energy Facility for energy recovery which leads to Goal 3
  • 1,114,998 tonnes of solid waste went to disposal which leads to Goal 4

Responsibilities:

Municipalities provide local waste management services such as organics, recycling, and garbage pick-up. The City of Vancouver operates the Vancouver Landfill in Delta.

Metro Vancouver operates the transfer stations and the Waste-to-Energy Facility in Burnaby, and manages the disposal of the garbage. Metro Vancouver is also responsible for the development and implementation of a solid waste management plan.

The organics processing and recycling facilities are operated by the private sector, as is the Cache Creek Landfill. Private businesses also generate waste and private sector haulers provide services which make the implementation of an integrated waste management system possible.