SmartSteps - Business Tools for Sustainability

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SmartSteps - Business Tools for Sustainability

SmartSteps is a program of tools, technical assistance and information to help your business become more eco-efficient and more competitive. Our goal is to help you find specific, cost-effective actions you can take to reduce the amount of materials and energy your business uses.

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Current SmartSteps Projects

Recycling Stations Get a Colourful Update

Metro Vancouver is developing standardized colours for event recycling stations in the region in order to reinforce positive recycling behaviours. The goal is to assist the public and business operators separate recyclables from garbage. Colours parallel municipal curb side recycling systems and include:
Black or Grey = garbage;
Blue = blue box recyclables (i.e. glass, metal and plastic [Types 1, 2, 4 & 5] containers);
Yellow = mixed paper and newspaper;
Orange = refundable containers;
Green = organics;
Red = hazardous materials;
Yellow or Brown = corrugated cardboard.
Matching recycling stations with a garbage bin, and matching containers to event traffic flow will also greatly increase recycling efforts at event sites. The District of West Vancouver is already on-board with this Metro Vancouver initiative and recently made a colourful splash with their standardized recycling station on Earth Day.

Please see the photo link.

Photo Credit: Amanda Gee

Volunteer Jonathan Harrison attends to the recycling station on Earth Day

2009 Waste Assessments

The SmartSteps waste reduction assessments continues to be a popular program to assist business improve their waste diversion performance. A wide range of businesses have successfully completed the no-cost waste assessment including:

• a charitable health organization wanting to reduce their environmental footprint;
• an aerospace manufacturer looking for ways to reduce waste and save money;
• a window and door products manufacturer wanting to “green” their operations;
• a major electronics retailer; reviewing their current recycling program; and
• a municipal hall and works yard standardizing their recycling collection and improving their waste diversion performance.

SmartSteps Business Advisors have identified a range of opportunities during the site assessments, including:
• reducing office paper consumption;
• improving the collection of mixed paper and blue box recyclables;
• identifying materials banned from regional waste facilities; and
• finding opportunities to recycle additional items at end-of life.

For information on registering your business for a waste reduction assessment see the resources section of our Business Tools.

News

January 2010 GreenPeace's releases the 14th edition of their Guide to Green Electronics

Nokia stays in 1st place with a slightly reduced score of 7.3, losing a point for failing to do proactive lobbying for the revised RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electronics) Directive to adopt a methodology for further restrictions of hazardous substances, and immediately ban chlorinated and brominated substances. As of this version of the Guide, Criterion C1 has been sharpened to require companies not only to have a chemicals policy underpinned by the precautionary principle, but also to support a revision of the RoHS Directive that bans further harmful substances, specifically brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs) and PVC vinyl plastic.

Guide to Greener Electronics

Vancouver Whitecaps Fans are Recycling Champs

Vancouver Whitecaps FC fans scored a major victory for the environment by improving the amount of solid waste that was recycled or composted at home matches from just 10 per cent up to 70 per cent.

Press Release

Changes to EPR Programs announced by MoE

The Ministry of the Environment (MoE) has posted some changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs on their website.

Notable changes are:

Small appliance program launch date has been deferred by 8 months to April 2011
Lighting equipment and toys programs launch dates have been deferred by 2 years until July 1, 2012
Lead-acid batteries and antifreeze programs have been added with launch dates of July 1, 2011

Electronics

Antifreeze and lead-acid batteries

2010 RCBC (MOBI) Environmental Award Nominations

The Recycling Council of BC recognizes the valuable contribution that individuals and organizations have made toward the preservation and protection of British Columbia's environment.
The 2010 RCBC Environmental Awards were presented at the 36th Annual RCBC Zero Waste Conference on May 26, 2010 at the Westin Resort and Spa, Whistler, BC.
Nominations were accepted in the following categories: Individual, Youth, Educator, Private Sector, Public Sector, Non-Profit and Journalists and Media.

Nomination form

RCBC Board 2010-2011 - Call for Nominations

The Recycling Council of BC (RCBC) is seeking nominations from its membership for the 2009-2010 board year. The Board of Directors is elected on an annual basis to reflect BC's geographic distribution and a balance of representation from industry, governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals. The board year runs from May 2010 to May 2011.

Deadline for submission is Monday March 26, 2010.

Nomination form

City of Burnaby Environment Awards 2010 - Make a Nomination Today!

The City of Burnaby Environmental Awards Program recognizes contributions made by individuals, groups, organizations and companies to improve Burnaby’s environment and our understanding of it. The program increases the awareness and responsibilities of the public and the City toward the environment. Make a nomination by April 9 and show your support for Burnaby’s environmental leaders!
Nominations will be taken until April 9, 2010 and the awards will be announced by Council on May 17, 2010.
The Environment Awards ceremony will take place on June 6, 2010.

Award Categories & More Information

Nomination Form

NEW Product Stewardship Handbook for BC

Product stewardship is an environmental management strategy guided by the principle that whoever designs, produces, sells, or uses a product takes responsibility for minimizing that product's environmental impact

The Product Stewardship model is comprised of several key players working together to ensure that products no longer being used by consumers are managed in an environmentally friendly manner. The producers, provincial government, local governments, retailers and consumers all have a role.

The principles for product stewardship are producer-user responsibility, level playing field, results based, transparency and accountability, and easy access.

The eight stewardship agencies (Encorp Pacific Canada, Tire Stewardship of BC, BC Used Oil Management Association, Product Care Association, Electronic Stewardship Association of BC, Brewers Association of BC, Post Consumer Pharmaceutical Stewardship Association and Call2Recycle)collaborated to produce this consumer brochure. Much of the interest has come from local governments as they strive to keep their citizens informed. The handbook is being made available in hard copy and as a web link.

Handbook