Metro Vancouver is responsible for the managing the garbage (called solid waste) produced by residents and businesses in the Lower Mainland. To do this, staff are directed by a Solid Waste Management Plan, one that is evaluated and approved by the region’s Board.

Metro Vancouver is responsible for updating the Solid Waste Management Plan. Currently, Metro Vancouver is working on a new plan called the Integrated Solid Waste Resource Management Plan, that will set the direction on how our region’s waste is managed for many decades to come.

1995 Solid Waste Management Plan approved in 1995
Main Goal: Take the region to a 50% diversion rate (reuse or recycle 50%), and dispose of the remaining 50% (landfill or waste to energy). Goal achieved.

A Draft Integrated Solid Waste Resource Management Plan is in progress.
Main Goal: Take the region to a 70% diversion rate and manage the remaining 30% to maximise energy recovery and dispose of what can not be used (landfill, waste-to-energy (WTE) or other).

Metro Vancouver has engaged many people, representing different organizations and interests, in discussions about the planning process, and the draft plan.

This timeline includes some of the milestones that have been reached.

Phase 1	2008	Agree on a strategy to updating the SWMP
Phase 2	2009 (March to May)	Develop the Zero Waste Challenge, a strategy to move towards 70% diversion
Phase 3	May 2009 to present	Draft a new plan that incorporates the Zero Waste Challenge and proposes how the remaining 30% will be managed
Phase 4	Upcoming	Obtain public input on the Current Working Draft ISWRMP

 More info on the different phases above

Metro Vancouver has made numerous presentations as part of the public process so far, some of which are recorded on video and others as written reports. Many of these presentations are available here.