Solid Waste & Recycling August/September 2011

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Solid Waste & Recycling Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing and disposal August/September 2011 $10.00

CPMP No. 40069240

An EcoLog Group Publication

MANAGED COMPETITION

Hamilton’s Competitive Public-Private Waste Collection System — page 8

Compost Council of Canada Conference Program — pages 19-22 swr a-s 11 cvr nl pg 01.indd

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Solid Waste & Recycling

CONTENTS August/September 2011 Volume 16, Number 4

Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing & disposal

COVER STORY

CONTRACTING OUT

8 Cover art by Charles Jaffe

Whether or not it’s better to privatize municipal waste collection has been in the news recently. We look at the City of Hamilton’s system that leverages competition between the public and private sector to boost efficiency and keep prices reasonable.

by Beth Goodger

FEATURES COLLECTION: UNDERGROUND Ground Hog front-loading underground bin system.

by Darlene Hartung

15

LANDFILL TECHNOLOGY: LFGE Waterloo Region’s gas-to-energy plant and solar flare.

by Deborah Everest-Hill 17

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP: PAINT RONA recovers unused paint in Western Canada.

by Guy Crittenden

25

RECYCLING: MIXED PLASTICS Stewardship Ontario’s campaign to capture more mixed plastics.

by Sherry Arcaro

COMPOSTING COUNCIL OF CANADA CONFERENCE At-a-glance conference program and show guide.

19-22

28

NEXT EDITION DEPARTMENTS Editorial Up Front Waste Business Organic Matters Regulation Roundup

4 6 26 30 33

Products

35

Classified

36

Ad Index

37

Blog

38

Ground-Hogs, page 15.

SHOW GUIDE: Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo, Montreal SUPPLEMENT: CleanTech Canada Social marketing. Single-stream recycling. Waste-to-energy.

Landfill bioreactors. Heavy equipment. MRFs. Space closing: September 22 Artwork required: September 26

Waterloo LFGE plant, page 17.

Recycling plastics, page 28.

August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 3

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EDITORIAL

by Guy Crittenden “A refillable wine bottle would cost 40 per cent less than a single-use bottle.”

Days of Wine and Roses

I

was pleased to receive the report Refillable Wine Bottles in Ontario: from bottle washing plants fed by the huge volume of intact bottles Cases for Reuse from Toronto, Ontario-based Environmental Defence collected under deposit by TBS. Most of the carbon footprint of a in May of this year. The report neatly summarizes the arguments in winery comes from its bottles, and rinsing a wine bottle (even many favor of reusing wine bottles rather than collecting them simply for times) requires only five per cent of the energy required to manufacture smashing up and recycling. a new bottle.

“Approximately 36 million bottles of Ontario wine are consumed in Ideally, the Ontario wine industry would adopt a standardized wine this province each year,” the report states. “87 per cent of those bottles, bottle for most of its products (much as the provinces brewers have). It’s over 30 million of them, are now returned for recycling thanks to the worth noting that much of the world’s wine is sold in somewhat stanODRP. None of these bottles are reused, but almost all of them could be.” dardized bottles anyway, to denote the different kinds of grape (cabernet Readers outside the province need sauvignon, merlot, etc.) and certainly to know that until recently wine and the volume of bottles the LCBO imliquor bottles were collected in Ontario ports from around the world dwarves via municipal curbside recycling prolocal production, so there should be grams. The “Bag it Back” program put an abundance of suitable containers. these containers on deposit on FebruRefilling glass wine bottles would ary 5, 2007, creating a financial incenlower CO2 emissions and reduce water usage (even with rinsing factive to divert the bottles from disposal tored in). And unlike some environand keep them out of single-stream remental benefits that cost more, wine cycling plants where they may further bottle refilling saves money. contaminate other recyclables with Environmental Defence quotes shards of broken glass.

Chris Wyse, President of B.C.’s BurOddly, the Liquor Control Board of rowing Owl winery, saying the transOntario (LCBO) doesn’t receive the portation and sanitization of refillbottles, despite the crown corporation being the purchase point for most of There’s enough standardization in wine bottles to make reuse viable when the ables costs $0.20 per bottle.

“In comparison, an inexpensive them. Instead, The Beer Store (“TBS” containers are returned intact, as most are in the Ontario system. single-use bottle costs approximately — a private company) secured the con$0.50. Refillable bottles would also be exempt from the 9 cent non-retract to have its stores act as depots (despite that it only sells beer). TBS fillable levy, currently applied to all wine bottles, which would also help bid on the work because it saw value in luring consumers to its stores keep costs down,” Wyse states. where they may happen to buy beer (and thus recapture some of the beer A refillable bottle carries a purchase price (per trip) of five cents, sales lost to the LCBO in recent years). Collecting these containers is plus 10 cents for sorting and another 20 cents for washing and transporalso consistent with TBS leadership position in the packaging realm. tation, for a total of $0.35. This is 40 per cent less than a single-use About 95 per cent of beer sold in glass bottles in Ontario is recaptured bottle: 50 cent purchase price plus the non-refillable levy of nine cents, for refilling, with the average container making 15 trips before being totaling $0.59. sent for recycling. This reduces waste while creating jobs.

The report refers to positive outcomes from programs in California, According to the Environmental Defence report, “At the national Newfoundland, B.C. and Hungary. Strikingly, these programs lack the level, TBS estimates that its refillable program has substituted 3.25 key advantage in Ontario: the collection of wine bottles under deposit by billion containers with 4,500 more jobs.” a centralized organization with extensive experience handling glass If it has not already, TBS should start making plans to refill the wine bottles, rinsing and refilling them. bottles it currently collects; a compelling business case for doing so is With the collection under deposit in place and a market of eager local laid out in the Environmental Defence report. The LCBO is the biggest wine producers waiting, it’s hard to imagine it will take long for the TBS single purchaser of alcohol beverages in the world, and has market clout. or some entrepreneur to make large-scale wine bottle refilling a reality Ontario also has a fast-growing wine industry with well established in Ontario, and eventually perhaps expand it across the whole nation. brands hailing from the famous Niagara grape growing area, and many It seems a matter now of when, not if. new producers opening up in Prince Edward County (near Belleville).

Most Ontario wineries today sell their products in single-use bottles Guy Crittenden is editor of this magazine. Contact Guy at made by OI in Brampton, plus some imported from overseas. Producers gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com could lower their carbon emissions and costs by sourcing bottles locally 4 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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Solid Waste & Recycling

UPFRONT US Federal Court rules against flow control

Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing & disposal

Guy Crittenden Editor gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com Brad O’Brien Publisher bobrien@solidwastemag.com Jamie Ross Account Manager jross@solidwastemag.com Kim Collins Market Production Selina Rahaman Circulation Manager Carol Bell-Lenoury Mgr EcoLog Group Bruce Creighton President Business Information Group

T

he United States District Court in Syracuse, New York struck down Oswego County’s Flow Control Law in early June as unconstitutionally vague. This decision means a transfer station in the county will no longer be subject to the county’s waste disposal monopoly, and will help a small private company stay in business.

For the past 15 years, Jeffrey Holbrook has operated the JWJ Transfer Station in Oswego County under a permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The JWJ Transfer Station accepts construction and demolition waste generated both in and out of Oswego County pursuant to the DEC Permit.

On October 13, 2008, the Oswego County legislature enacted the Oswego County Recycling & Solid Waste Local Law. Most of that law became effective on January 1, 2009. The “flow control” provisions became effective on July 1 that year.

Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging the flow control law and seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on June 26, 2009. The district court initially granted plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) staying enforcement of the law, but later vacated the TRO and denied plaintiffs’ application for a preliminary injunction.

The court’s June 13, 2011 decision granted plaintiffs’ motion for judgment on the pleadings. The court found that “Scrutiny of the letters and directives from the County and its director of solid waste reveals that not only does the Flow Control Law in question authorize and encourage arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement, such arbitrary enforcement is manifest here.” It concluded that “the inadequately drafted Oswego County Flow Control Law is unconstitutional for vagueness as written. The Court also finds that the Flow Control Law is unconstitutional as applied to JWJ, and foreseeably to any other entity that would deem to own and operate a waste management facility in the County, however unlikely this scenario might be under the County’s existing waste management penumbra.”

JWJ has 67 employees. Although the company has suffered financially from the unconstitutional law, this decision may make it possible for the company to survive. Jeff Holbrook, JWJ’s owner and a resident of Oswego County for 47 years, is pleased with the result. “Businesses are leaving this County every day,” he says. “I’m happy that the Court stopped the County from pushing another one out.”

Contributing Editors Michael Cant, Rosalind Cooper, Maria Kelleher, Clarissa Morawski, Usman Valiante, Paul van der Werf Award-winning magazine Solid Waste & Recycling magazine is published six times a year by EcoLog Information Resources Group, a division of BIG Magazines LP, a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., a leading Canadian businessto-business information services company that also publishes HazMat Management magazine and other information products. The magazine is printed in Canada.

Solid Waste & Recycling provides strategic information and perspectives on all aspects of Canadian solid waste collection, hauling, processing and disposal to waste managers,haulers, recycling coordinators, landfill and compost facility operators and other waste industry professionals.

Subscription Rates: Canada – $51.95 (add applicable taxes) per year, $82.95 (add applicable taxes) for 2 years, single copy $10.00.

USA and all other foreign – $82.95 per year US single copy US10.00 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40069240 Information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, thus Solid Waste & Recycling cannot be responsible for the absolute correctness or sufficiency of articles or editorial contained herein. Articles in this magazine are intended to convey information rather than give legal or other professional advice. Reprint and list rental services are arranged through the Publisher at (416) 510-6798.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department, Solid Waste & Recycling 12 Concorde Pl, Ste 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-268-7742 Fax: 416-510-5148 E-Mail: jhunter@businessinformationgroup.ca Mail to: Privacy Officer Business Information Group 12 Concorde Pl, Ste 800 Toronto, ON Canada M3C 4J2

C

anadian equipment manufacturer Machinex has announced its presence in the United Kingdom with the opening in July of a material recovery facility (MRF) for the paper manufacturing giant UPM. Located in Shotton, North Wales, the single-stream MRF has been built adjacent to the UPM paper mill in order to feed it recovered paper.

The Machinex sorting system, at a total cost of CDN $14 million, is designed to process over 270,000 tonnes a year of recyclables from comingled papers, cartons, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal containers.

The recovered fibres are sent from the MRF to the paper mill through a tunnel connecting

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. © 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent.

Print edition: ISSN-1483-7714

MACHINEX UK

Online edition: ISSN-1923-3388

DEBUT

the two buildings. The system includes ten TITECH optical sorting units for fibres and containers, plastic film air capture system, magnetic separators, disc screen separators, a number of conveyors and other equipment design and built by Machinex.

Visit www.machinex.ca

The Forest Stewardship Council logo signifies that this magazine is printed on paper from responsibly managed forests. “To earn FSC certification and the right to use the FSC label, an organization must first adapt its management and operations to conform to all applicable FSC requirements.”

For more information, visit www.fsc.org

6 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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UPFRONT

BHS RECYCLING SYSTEM IN UK FACILITY

B

ulk Handling Systems (BHS) is installing a custom-designed, highly-automated, dual-function sorting system for Casepak at its new material recovery facility (MRF) in Leicester, UK. The system will process 150,000 tonnes of mixed dry recyclables annually and is on track to become operational in September.

“This is an exciting time for us,” says Mark Smith, joint manager director at Casepak. “Once the facility becomes fully operational, itwill more than double the quantity of material that Casepak can handle, as well as increase the number and type of materials that can be processed.

The system incorporates the latest in patented screening, air and optical technology to maximize recovery and purity of valuable commodities and to minimize waste. The flexible design will process mixed collections of paper, card, plastic, metal and glass, recovering 95 per cent or more of the material processed.

Visit www.bulkhandlingsystems.com

INTERNATIONAL SITES AND SPILLS EXPO

T

he International Sites and Spills Expo is the newest industry event dedicated to all elements of the HazMat and Site Remediation industries including a full conference program and trade show.

On Wednesday November 2, 2011, two workshop training programs will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. One workshop will

NEW BC

focus on HazMat response training while the other will focus on Phase I Site Condition Requirements. Workshops are available for $149.00 each.

The International Sites & Spills Expo takes place November 3-4, 2011 at the International Centre, near Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario.

Visit www.sitesandspills.com

DISTRIBUTOR FOR

SENNEBOGEN

C

anada’s west coast region can look forward to a new level of support for log loaders swing machines, scrap handlers and port equipment, with the appointment of Great West Equipment as the newest authorized distributor of Sennebogen equipment. The Great West Equipment branches will serve a territory covering the southern interior and northern BC, and reaching across to Vancouver Island, where the firm maintains two facilities. In the metropolitan area of Vancouver, Top Lift Enterprises continues to represent Sennebogen.

Visit www.sennebogen-na.com

Erich Erich Sennebogen (left) and Constantino Lannes (right) welcome Roger Dobie, Great West Equipment as the newest Sennebogen distributor in British Columbia.

NEW PROCESSING CAPACITY FOR RENFREW COUNTY

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n July 2011 Ontario’s environment ministry notified Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (OVWRC) staff that the application for increased processing capacity at the centre’s recycling facility had been approved. The Certificate of Approval amendment will allow the centre to process an additional 4,000 tonnes of paper and container recyclables per year. Sue McCrae, General Manager of the OVWRC, says, “Our local recycling programs have been so successful that in recent years the centre has reached its licensed processing capacity. Approval to process additional recyclables means our programs can continue to grow and expand.” The centre is an integrated waste management facility with five municipal partners: Petawawa, Pembroke, Laurentian Valley, North Algona Wilberforce and Sebastopol Ward of Bonnechere Valley.

Visit www.ovwrc.com August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 7

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COVER STORY

by Beth Goodger "Careful contract management is essential to ensure the city receives the best value and service from its private sector service providers."

Public-private competition for long term best value

Contracting Out T

he issue of private versus public collection of municipal waste has been in the news recently. This year, the City of Windsor, Ontario privatized waste collection services and Toronto City Council approved privatizing waste collection for 165,000 households in that city’s west end. In April 2011, Hamilton City Council gave approval to explore expanding its competitive model to recycling collection.

At the heart of the debate is the desire to achieve cost-effective service delivery and whether or not privatizing waste collection (an important service) is the only way to achieve this.

A review of waste collection services began in 2001 when six municipalities came together as the newly amalgamated City of Hamilton. At that time there were six different service levels and 17 waste collection zones. Four of the six municipalities contracted out waste collection; two collected waste with public workers.

Staff developed a waste collection service delivery model to assess a business case for the collection services for the new city. The system that emerged harmonized service levels and described a public/private service delivery model that would encourage competition yet

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retain public sector jobs.

In operation for almost ten years, the results show this approach promotes continuous improvement in both sectors and provides the best long-term value for the city.

Some blue boxes along with a “gold” box awarded to “super” recyclers.

Staff perform visual inspectons to see how people are doing with their diversion efforts. Based on a list of criteria, a gold box is awarded to those who are doing really well.

To learn more, visit www.mygoldbox.ca

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COVER STORY

“The ABC model tracks several outputs including waste tonnage collected and customer service calls. In both cases, these outputs are comparable between the public and private service providers.”

Simplified map showing Hamilton’s different waste collection zones.

Split model benefits

Contracts & ABC model

Hamilton has found that operating a split waste collection model offers several advantages.

A primary benefits is the competitive atmosphere between service providers, which reduces potential complacency and motivates the public sector to operate in a manner similar to the private sector. On the private side, knowing that the municipality is in the same business encourages the private sector to provide better pricing.

The split model also allows the city to maintain control of service delivery without the capital and operating costs of maintaining a city-wide waste collection fleet. Direct supervision of collection activities is reduced and staff time is focused on contract administration. Having some control has been particularly helpful with developing the pilot programs that have helped shape the city’s waste collection system.

“Getting into the municipal waste collection business can be a costly venture so it’s important that the public sector maintains a substantial presence in the delivery of this service to keep the private sector honest,” says Blair Smith, Hamilton’s Manager of Collections, who has overseen the city’s public/private collection programs since the 2001 amalgamation. The split model reduces exposure to possible higher costs in the future (in the case of a private sector monopoly).

Being in the same business allows municipal staff to have the same expertise as the private sector. The city can boast having some of the best collection operators in the business, several of whom have won prizes or placed well against their private sector colleagues at the Ontario Waste Management Association’s annual Truck Driving Championship.

Careful contract management is essential to ensure the City receives the best value and service from its private sector service providers. Over the years, Hamilton has developed waste collection contracts that clearly TABLE 1 - Hamilton Waste Collection Zones ZONE

SIZE (APPROX # OF HOUSEHOLDS 2009)

APPROXIMATE AREA

A1 (urban)

51,400

Hamilton District (lower)

B1 (urban)

53,500

Hamilton (mountain) District

A2 (suburban)

12,500

Dundas & Hamilton (west) Districts

B2 (suburban)

14,600

Stoney Creek District

A3 (suburban/rural)

14,000

Flamborough & rural Ancaster Districts

B3 (suburban/rural)

17,200

Ancaster & Glanbrook Districts

TABLE 2 - Public-Private Collection Costs per Household YEAR

A ZONES (PUBLIC SERVICE)

B ZONES (PRIVATE SERVICE)

2007

$90.00

$92.00

2008

$94.00

$98.00

2009

$95.29

$95.90

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Public-Private Competition in Hamilton Hamilton, with a population of 530,000, has a fully integrated waste management system that manages 247,000 tonnes (2010) of waste each year from the community. The system includes: a waste collection system (garbage, recycling, organics, leaf and yard waste, bulk waste), three community recycling centres, three transfer stations, materials recycling facility, central composting facility, leaf-and-yard waste composting and municipal a landfill site. An education and outreach program is also in place to ensure residents are participating in the programs.. The city has set an aggressive target of 65 per cent diversion from landfill and is currently achieving a residential diversion rate of 49 per cent (2010).

The City of Hamilton began a public-private competitive approach to waste collection in 2002. The concept was approved by Council in 2001, with the objective that: “Maintaining a blend of both public and private service will prevent a monopoly from being developed yet instil a competitive attitude amongst service providers.” (From City of Hamilton Committee of the Whole Report TOE01118, Harmonization of Waste Collection Services, p. 12, August 2001) A competitive model was established for garbage, leaf-and-yard waste and bulk collection services, with half the city being collected by public forces and half by the private sector. To compare the costs, the city was divided into three pairs of collection zones with similar characteristics as shown in Table 1.

In conjunction with this structure, an Activity Based Costing model was developed to compare the zone performance and costs of the public sector service delivery with the contract costs of the private service delivery.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for the half of the city to be collected by the private sector (B Zones) and an internal costing process was undertaken for the areas served by public forces, with the new collection system being implemented in April 2002. The Activity Based Costing approach was selected as a way to compare costs over time, rather than a full competition for work across the city.

In October 2004 a comparison of these costs was updated in preparation for the next contract period that was to start in 2006 with the implementation of the Green Cart program. Although the analysis showed the public sector costs of $71.91 per household to be higher than the private sector cost of $60.88, the results were positive in terms of the combination of service delivery and costs. Council approved the continuation of the model for the contract period from 2006 to 2013, with the addition of organic waste collection. Recycling collection and front bin collection continued to be fully contracted services.

The successful company in the RFP process was National Waste Services Inc., which has recently amalgamated with GFL Environmental Corporation East (GFL East).

In preparation for the 2013-2020 collection contract period, the ABC results for the competitive model were reviewed in April 2011 and are provided in Table 2.

The results show that the city has benefited by seeing more efficient public service delivery as a result of the competition, in addition to receiving competitive pricing for the contracted collection services. This positive result supports a recent commentary by the C.D. Howe Institute, which indicates: “The key to better service is not necessarily private operation, but an environment that encourages both public and private providers to innovate by improving service quality relative to costs.” (Picking up Savings: The Benefits of Competition in Municipal Waste Services, Benjamin Dachis, Commentary 308, C.D. Howe Institute, September 2010, p. 5.)

Through the internal costing processes, the city will explore the possibility of adding recycling collection for the A zones to the competitive model based on the ABC results. Recycling collection for the A zones will also be included in the RFP to seek private sector proposals for the service. Results will be presented to council for consideration and approval in early 2012.

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COVER STORY

The loader puts food scraps collected from green carts into a shredder at the beginning of the process at the central composting facility (CCF). A conveyor belt coming out from the shredder transfers the material to one of the Phase 1 tunnels for composting. On its way there, a magnet removes ferrous metals. The CCF is operated by AIM Environmental Group.

define the expectations from the private sector service provider. Having a private waste collection contractor also provides some flexibility and has lower impact on services in the event of a municipal labour disruption.

Local unions have supported the municipality providing some waste collection services. The city has paid close attention to the union re-

quirements over the years since union representatives may view a split model as a step to full privatization.

Hamilton developed an Activity Based Costing (ABC) model to measure costs and effectiveness between the public and contracted service delivery providers. The ABC model identifies the resources

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COVER STORY

A city employee empties a green cart into a split-body collection truck.

Organics are co-collected with garbage every week. Half of the city’s single family housesholds receive green cart and garbage collection from city forces and the other half receives the same collection from Green for Life (GFL) Environmental Corporation.

required to operate the waste collection programs while measuring the costs and effort to provide these services. This model takes into consideration “direct,” “indirect” and “overhead” costs for waste collection.

Public sector direct costs include employee wages and benefits as well as fleet costs such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance. In comparison, the direct costs for the private sector are based on the contracted price, which typically includes their labour costs, fleet requirements, administrative costs and profit margin.

To make the public costs comparable, indirect costs take into consideration a range of expenses including waste collection administration, customer service, operating and maintenance supplies, building costs and contract supervision. Overhead expenditures are based on resources required to perform the city’s business activities such as solid waste planning services, senior management and finance/administration.

The ABC model tracks several outputs including waste tonnage collected and customer service calls. In both cases, these outputs are comparable between the public and private service providers. Analysis indicates that the competitive model continues to be effective, with public

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COVER STORY

A split-body recycling truck empties paper onto the tipping floor at the materials recycling facility (MRF). The rear loader has a ram mechanism that pushes the paper out of the truck. After the paper side is empty, the driver takes the truck around to the other side of the MRF where it dumps all the containers onto a different tipping floor. Recycling is collected by Green for Life (GFL) Environmental Corporation across the entire city of Hamilton.

The two-stream recycling program calls for papers and cardboard in one blue box and bottles, cans and jars in a different blue box.

“The public sector cost $95.29 and the private sector cost $96.45 per eligible property in 2009. Previous results had shown the city’s costs to be higher than the private sector, which illustrates the benefits of a competitive model.” and private sector costs remaining comparable: the public cost $95.29 and the private sector cost $96.45 per eligible property in 2009. Previous results had shown the city’s costs to be higher than the private sector, which illustrates the benefits of a competitive model. (See page 10) Beyond price there’s performance: the city’s waste management team has used the information from the ABC model to identify where attention is needed to improve efficiencies, and the model’s results show that the public sector service provision of waste collection services is competitive.

Another consideration in using a public-private model is ensuring transparency in the costing and Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

Referred to as “managed competition,” a clear process is set out as to

service delivery requirements, evaluation and selection processes. The RFP document clearly sets out the process being followed for both the private and public sector submissions. A separate internal team is responsible for working independently on the public sector costing, around whom a “Chinese wall” is established. The costing is submitted in a sealed envelope at the same time as the private sector responses to the RFP. In conclusion, the City of Hamilton has discovered that this competitive approach for waste collection services results is cost effective and shows that simple privatization isn’t the only way to achieve good results.

Beth Goodger, Senior Director, Operations & Waste Management Division, Public Works Department, City of Hamilton. The author wishes to thank Raffaella Morello (Project Manager, Operations Group) and Pat Parker (Director of Support Services) from the Operations & Waste Management Division, Public Works Department, City of Hamilton for their contributions to this article.

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November 9 - 10, 2011 Palais des Congrès de Montréal Montréal, QC www.CWRE.ca

Canada’s ONLY tradeshow serving the waste, recycling and public works markets

Exhibitors Accent Wire Products Armal, Inc Artech Reductions Technologies Autocar Truck Baldwin Filters Bayne Premium Lift Sys. BFI Canada Inc BRITESPAN Bldg. Sys. Busch Systems Intl Cascade Cart Solutions ClearSpan Fabric Struct.

Convoy Safety Techn.

Deloupe DURABAC Dyson Canada Ltd Ecoloxia Group Environnemental ERIEZ Fanotech Enviro Inc. FCM Recycling Inc Fleetmind Solutions GeoLogic GeoShack Canada GINOVE Goodyear Canada Inc. Gore Cover Systems Hallco Industries Inc.

Canadian Waste Sector Symposium and Tours Harris Haul-All Equipment IPL Inc. J.Y. Voghel Inc. Joe Johnson Equipment Keith Mfg. Co. KOMPTECH USA Inc. L&P Wire Tie Systems Labrie Les Industries Permo Liebherr Canada Ltd London Machinery Machinex Recycling Mack Canada Mailhot Ind. MGM Brakes Modern Waste Prd. Molok N.A. NAPA Norseman Otto Env. Owl Plastics Palfinger N.A. Paradigm Software Peterbilt of Canada

Precision Waste RouteSmart Samuel Strapping Saniquip SetWest /HJA Intl Sherbrooke OEM Soudure J.M. Chantal SSI Schaefer System SSI Shredding Systems Supreme International The Curotto Can Toter/Wastequip Univ. Handling Equip.

UNTHA America

Van Dyk Baler Corp.

Vecoplan LLC VerXdirect Corp Vibrotech Inc. Walker Magnetics National Ltd. Waste Management Zone Defense LLC AND MANY, MANY MORE!

For a complete exhibitor listing, www.cwre.ca

WASTE SECTOR FACILITY TOURS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Hyatt Regency Montréal Hotel Tour leading Waste Disposal & Recycling facilities in the Montréal area from the Residential stream & Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sectors.

All participants must have a hard hat, safety shoes & glasses. Seating is limited, so book your spot early. Visit www.canwastesectorsymposium.ca Tour 1 - Specialized Waste Processing Tour 2 - Landfill/Transfer Facilities Tour 3 - Hazardous Waste Processing The 2011 Canadian Waste Sector Symposium will serve as a forum for the discussion of waste sector policy and technology, topics including Hazardous Waste Management, Organics Waste Management, Green Energy, Green Management of Waste, Waste Disposal and Transfer and more. www.canwastesectorsymposium.ca

Networking Events

Industry Partners

CWSS WELCOME RECEPTION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 6:00 PM Hyatt Regency Montréal Hotel

CWSS/NORTHERN LIgHTS RECEPTION/ DINNER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 6:00 PM Hyatt Regency Montréal Hotel

ENvIROLYS 2011 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Windsor Hotel Sponsored by Conseil des entreprises des services environnementaux COMPOST COUNCIL OF CANADA LUNCHEON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 12:00 PM Palais des congrès de Montréal Compost Matters in Quebec Sponsored by Compost Council of Canada and Recyc-Quebec More details on special events, visit www.cwre.ca

Want to know more? Contact Arnie Gess

Call: 403.589.4832

Email: arnie.gess@cwre.ca

REGISTER TODAY! www.cwre.ca/ADS1 CWRE11 SWR Full Xtra Ad v2.indd 1

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s

COLLECTION

by Darlene Hartung “The structural steel reinforcement of the unit is connected to the lifting arms, providing exceptional strength.”

Ground Hog Day An exciting new product line allows underground waste systems to be serviced by conventional front-end loaders

Ground-hog units are equipped for lifting by conventional front-end loaders.

C

ollecting waste materials below ground has technical advantages to above-ground systems. As urban centres densify, the largecapacity and small-surface footprint of underground collection units make them a logical choice. The large capacity of such units is especially helpful with recyclable materials because of their lack of natural compaction. Underground waste-collection systems are solving many of the inherent complications — such as odours and wildlife — related to collecting food matter.

However, until recently, liquids remained a problem with underground collection units, as the only option available was a bag-style unit, in which a canvas bag of waste is collected inside a stationary hard-shelled container and lifted out for emptying. With this design, liquids collect in the bottom and need to be pumped out regularly.

Municipalities and companies that piloted the underground wastecollection systems requested design advancements to address their concerns. Some companies want consistency in their systems across different jurisdictions and, in some cases, the country. Municipalities want the flexibility to be able to tender contracts to different competing collection companies. Many service providers don’t have the special equipment required to empty bag-style units, and have been slow to acquire it.

As a result, the front-loading Ground-hog was developed. Its arms are compatible with any front-end loading waste truck, and the hardsided Ground-hog container is sealed so that liquid is removed each time the unit is emptied.

The front-loading Ground-hog system has been well received by municipalities, residents, and haulers in Quebec since it was introduced

The steel arms are integrated with steel components in the container frame to endure years of lifting and emptying.

August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 15

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COLLECTION

This schematic drawing shows how much of the unit is below ground.

Ground-hog’s new square units create a pleasant elevation and compact footprint.

two years ago. In addition to the conventional bins, some service providers in Quebec (and more recently Ontario) now offer the Groundhog unit directly to customers, allowing users to pick the option that best suits their situation.

The 6.5 cubic yard Ground-hog is made of granite grey rotationally moulded polyethylene. Units are completely trimmed and reinforced with grey powder-coated steel. The structural steel reinforcement of the unit is then connected to the lifting arms, giving the units the exceptional Walinga VC2336 6/11/07 Page 1 strength needed to last years of being2:36 liftedPM by the front-end trucks.

N O W

The visible aboveground portion is 4' with 6'6'' below ground. The lid height is convenience for users and the amount below ground keeps the waste cool, thus retarding the growth of odour-forming microorganisms. Using nature to regulate the temperature and gravity to assist with compaction means allows the system to remain low tech and almost maintenance free.

Darlene Hartung is the Ontario sales representative for Ground-Hog in Listowel, Ontario. Contact Darlene at d.hartung@ecoloxia.ca

O N L I N E !

Recycler

www.walinga.com R e c y c l i n g a n d re n d e r i n g a ro u n d t h e w o r l d !

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70 3rd Ave. N.E. Box 1790 Carman, Manitoba Canada R0G 0J0 Tel (204) 745-2951 Fax (204) 745-6309

6960 Hammond Ave. S.E. Caledonia, MI. USA 49316 Tel (800) 466-1197 Fax (616) 656-9550

16 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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LANDFILL TECHNOLOGY

by Deborah Everest-Hill “A request for proposal (RFP) from Waterloo’s waste management services lead to another waste-to-energy partnership with Toromont Energy.”

Landfill Gas-to-Energy Waterloo waste-to-energy partnership benefits the environment and community

The reheat furnace.

L

ike many other municipalities, Waterloo Region has eliminated most recyclables, organics, electronics, tires, bricks and even drywall from the residual waste stream but waste management staff is always looking for an opportunity to do more. To date, the region’s 72-hectare landfill has accepted millions of tonnes of waste and is expected to

reach its 15 million-tonne capacity in the next 20 to 25 years.

“The challenge,” says Waste Management Supervisor Paul Rabb, “is finding cost effective programs to increase our landfill’s longevity and minimize its environmental footprint.”

In 1995, the region recognized the opportunity to recycle landfill gas and invited four

local businesses to provide proposals for the construction, operation, maintenance and financing of a landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) facility. Gerdau Courtice Steel, a local steel recycler now referred to as Gerdau, was awarded the project.

In 1999 — landfill gas, typically comprised of methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor and

August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 17

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LANDFILL TECHNOLOGY

Solar flare provides localized odour control

I

LFGE flare.

n addition to using soil and a tarp system to eliminate odours, Waste Management Services at the Region of Waterloo is testing the effectiveness of a solar flare to burn excess landfill gas. In an older section of the landfill, a CF-5 flare manufactured by LSC Environmental Products is positioned on a manhole or access chamber where it uses conventional solar panels and an ignition system to ignite and burn methane.

“Solar flares have been in use for some time,” says Cari Rastas Howard, project manager waste management. “We are experimenting with moving it (the flare) wherever required for short-term, localized control.”

Landfill gas is typically comprised of methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour and other chemical compounds. The CF-5 flare sparks every 1.5 seconds and is generally distributed

other chemicals — was collected at the region’s Cambridge, Ontario landfill and used to supplement the natural gas that supplies a steel reheat furnace owned and operated by Gerdau.

“After the contract was awarded, studies indicated that the quantity of methane may be greater than expected,” says Bob Downie, corporate environmental manager at Gerdau.

As a result, Gerdau funded additional wells at the Cambridge landfill and supplied equipment to further clean the gas and pump it into the steel mill. Modifications were also made to the furnace.

“The furnace consists of 36 gas-fired burners arranged in five zones,” explains Bob Downie, corporate environmental manager at Gerdau. These zones include preheat and heat zones as well as three soak zones. The furnace is controlled by a computer and has a rated capacity of 129 BTUs per hour, enough energy to heat approximately 75 tonnes of steel billets from room temperature to 2,100°F in one hour.

Even though the Cambridge landfill no longer accepts refuse, the waste inside the hill continues to generate gas and will continue to do so for many years, notes Cari Rastas Howard, project manager waste management.

In addition to environmental benefits, revenue generated from the sale of the gas to Gerdau is used to offset plant operation costs.

Between August 2003 when the region began charging royalty charges and December, 2010, Gerdau Amertisteel used over 200 billion Kcal of landfill gas, says Rastas Howard.

For Gerdau, the partnership with the region has resulted in a reduction in natural gas

consumption, lower fuel costs, and a decline in greenhouse-gas emissions from the steel mill. Since 1999, landfill gas has supplied about 30 per cent of the energy required to operate the re-heat furnace, says Downie, “eliminating approximately 118,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. It’s a beneficial use of a resource that otherwise may have been wasted and a win-win opportunity for the company and community.

In 1995, 50 wells were created at the Waterloo landfill to collect landfill gas. In addition to flaring gas to eliminate odour, the region recognized methane as valuable commodity that could be used to generate power.

A request for proposal (RFP) from Waterloo’s waste management services lead to another waste-to-energy partnership with Toromont Power Systems.

Toromont builds, supplies and operates high-efficiency power plants that produce up to 50 megawatts. In the last fifteen years, Toromont Power Systems has built 15 power plants fuelled by natural gas, landfill gas, bio-gas or diesel fuel. Landfill projects generating between 3 to 8 megawatts (MW) are in place in Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Hamilton.

“These communities,” says Ron Cocking, business development, Toromont, “have recognized that a well field is an excellent way to control odours troubling neighbours and provide an outstanding environmental benefit in the destruction of methane — one of the worst greenhouse gases.”

At the Waterloo landfill, a similar pipe

one unit per acre. The CF-10 model is essentially the same flare but has a larger gas pipe enabling it to manage a larger gas flow.

“Most customers have a rough idea of the flow at their site,” says Luke Cody, technician at LSC. “The CF-5 is adequate for 90 per cent of applications.”

“In addition to eliminating unwanted odour, the flare prevents methane from entering the atmosphere thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” says Jon Arsenault, director of waste management. According to Environment Canada, methane develops when matter decays in an oxygen-free environment. Sources of methane include: wetlands, rice paddies, animal digestive processes, fossil fuel extraction and decaying garbage. Because methane is effective at trapping heat, it is a powerful greenhouse gas. system to that used at the Cambridge landfill was constructed to draw landfill gas into a generating station owned and operated

by Toromont. The field pipe used is mainly high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE); pipe inside the blower and power generation facilities is stainless steel, according to Rastas Howard. In total, there is 11 km of HDPE header, lateral and collector piping ranging in size from 25 mm to 400 mm depending on the location. In 1998, 23 more wells were added, ensuring a constant supply of gas until at least 2050.

When landfill gas enters the station, it’s pre-treated and used to run engines that produce electricity. A fuel conditioning system removes moisture and a filter conditions the fuel by removing particles and remaining moisture.

“Toromont and Caterpillar keep the process very simple,” says Cocking. “The water drops out and back into the leachate system at the landfill containing it in the facility built to manage it.” Blowers raise the gas pressure to the required 5 psi, adds Cocking.

In 2000, the electricity generating station went into full operation with four Cat G3516 gas-fueled 925 killowatt generator sets. A fifth generator set was added in 2002 bringing capacity to 4.6 megawatts. In 2009, a G3520, rated at 1600 kW, was added bringing the capacity to 6.2 MW. The station currently generates 6.25 MW of “green” power which is delivered back to the grid through an arrangement with Ontario Power Generation. ...continues on page 24

18 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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Register Now & Plan to Attend

SAVE OUR SOIL

COMPOST! 21st Annual National Compost Conference!

September 19-21, 2011 Charlottetown, PEI

To register, visit www.compost.org or call 1-877-571-GROW(4769) swr a-s 11.indb 19

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Meet us in Prince Edward Island from September 19 – 21, 2011 for the

21st Annual National Compost Conference

To register, visit www.compost.org or call 1-877-571-GROW(4769) Conference Speakers Include: Sina Adl, Dalhousie University

Sophie Taillefer, Recyc-Québec

Conrad Allain, Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission

Walter Termeer, Fundy Compost Inc.

Susan Antler, Compost Council of Canada

Dean Wyman, City of Guelph

Paul Arnold, Acadia University

Allan Yee, City of Edmonton

Peter Veiga, Region of Durham

Gopal Bhatta, Nova Scotia Agricultural College Katherine Buckley, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Jeff Budzich, WeCare Organics Nicole Chardoul, Resource Recycling Systems Scott J. Christian, ADI Systems Mike DiMaso, Exhibition Place Alexis Fortin, Groupe Commercial Paul Larouche Rod Fry, Envirem Organics Scott Gamble, CH2M Hill Tej Gidda, Conestoga-Rovers and Associates John Haanstra, Maple Reinders Lissa Ham, Siemens Water Technologies Louise Hénault-Ēthier, Université du Québec à Montréal Roger Henry, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Thomas J. Laginess, BASF Brenda MacCallum, Fundy Region Waste Management Nicole Mantel, Halton Region Lambert Otten, University of Guelph Pat Parker, City of Hamilton

Exhibitors: A&L Canada Laboratories Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd. ALLU Group Aschl Management Consultants Bag to Earth Inc. BioBag Canada Bureau de Normalisation du Québec Christiaens Group/Maple Reinders Constructors EcoSafe Zero Waste IPL Inc. Mirel Bioplastics by Telles Norseman Plastics Ltd. Rehrig Pacific Co. Scarab Manufacturing Siemens Water Technologies Transform Compost Systems Vermeer Canada Inc. Vertal Inc. W.L. Gore X-ACT Systems

Greg Patterson, A&L Canada Laboratories John Paul, Transform Compost Bob Paulin, Western Australia Department of Agriculture & Food Rick Peters, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Ryan Ring, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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Join us for ...

Presentations

Exhibits Wednesday September 21st Concurrent Sessions: Biosolids Composting and Compost Production Targeting Compost Markets Advancing Municipal Organics Compost Utilization IC&I Program Experiences: On-Site and Off-Site Making the System Work Closing Plenary: Celebrating PEI’s Composting Heritage A recognition of the composting pioneers and advocates of Prince Edward Island

Tours

Networking PLUS! Start the Compost Conference early on Saturday September 17th by traveling with us by bus from Halifax, Nova Scotia, visiting the compost facilities of New Era Farms and Miller Compost, the compost research at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College as well as touring the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market and Jost Vineyards. We’ll go through New Brunswick, over the Confederation Bridge and arrive in Charlottetown around 8pm.

And, on Sunday September 18th, you can consider partaking in PEI’s annual International Shellfish Festival (for tickets and event details, visit www.peishellfish.com) or pursue lots of other interesting island activities while eagerly anticipating the start of our main conference on Monday.

To register, visit www.compost.org or call 1-877-571-GROW(4769)

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Ca lli ng

A

ll

rg Co ani m cs po R st ecy A dv clin oc g at an es d

O

Meet us in Prince Edward Island from September 19 – 21, 2011 for the

21st Annual National Compost Conference

Your 3 days of conference happenings include:

Monday September 19th

Main Tour Day of the Island’s Compost Programs

Board our bus @ 10am for three important tours: 1. ADI Central Compost Facility, one of the world’s largest containerized compost facilities and destination for the source-separated residential organics from across PEI 2. Harrington Farm of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada’s Crops and Livestock Research Station whose priority research is in soil tillage and conservation as well as potato and cereal production 3. Oyster Bed Compost, a 300-cattle feedlot for the organic agricultural industry in PEI Following returning to the hotel, get ready for our Welcome Reception at Peakes Quay, the LARGEST outdoor patio on PEI, overlooking the beautiful Quartermaster Marina and Confederation Landing Park. Sponsored by ADI International (PEI) Inc. and Island Waste Management Corporation, the evening will be filled with networking opportunities as well as scrumptious PEI culinary specialties.

G • • •

•

Tuesday September 20th Opening Plenary Session: Compost Front & Centre An Overview of the Compost Industry in Canada Canada’s Compost Infrastructure: A Technical Perspective Compost Markets Development

Concurrent Sessions:

• •

Recycling Organic Residuals through Anaerobic Digestion Establishing Compost’s True Value Composting Process Management Research Matters in Compost Utilization and Composting Compost Education Matters

Special Thanks to our Conference Sponsors:

IWMC

W G N g

Island Waste Management Corporation

G

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WELL COVERED. GORE ® Cover – Composting & Organic Recycling • Excellent cost/performance ratio for in-vessel composting • Approved in over 150 sites in more than 20 countries • Proven technology treating feedstock from as little as 10,000 tons to greater than 200,000 tons per year • For green waste, food waste, biosolids, manures, other source separated organics and MSW • Pilot possibilities and demonstration capabilities • Operates in any climate condition

WELL DONE! GORE ® Cover – Source Separated Organics • Delivers highest quality compost • Highest throughput efficiency on small footprint • Clear separation of leachate from storm water • Controls odors and emissions • Worldwide use - even in extreme climate zones

W. L. Gore & Associates German Phone: +49 89 4612-2712 | Fax: +49 89 4612-42712 North America Phone: 410-506-5041 | Fax: 410-392-4452 gorecover@wlgore.com | gorecover.com GORE® and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. DA 172

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LANDFILL TECHNOLOGY

Exterior view of the Waterloo LFGE plant.

...continued from page 18

Toromont Power Systems received a national award for Innovation and Excellence from the Canadian Council for Public-Private

Partnerships for the project and the Region of Waterloo earned a Sustainable Community award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In 2003, the region received

an Award of Excellence for the partnership with Gerdau from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment for outstanding achievement in the fight against smog and climate change.

Deborah Everest-Hill is a freelance writer in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Contact Deborah at deboraheverest-hill@sympatico.ca (Note, Deborah is available for freelance corporate and other writing assignments. Connect with her on LinkedIn.)

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24 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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P R O D U C T S T E WA R D S H I P

Help Help me RONA RONA’s in-store program a first for Western Canada

R

ONA Inc., the Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, continues to help Canadians reduce their environmental impact with the launch of its in-store paint recovery program in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

surface conditioners, varnish, solvents, tar, adhesives or preservative. RONA participates in paint recovery and recycling in partnership with industry funded organizations, including the Product Care Association (PCA), which manages product stewardship programs for household hazardous and special waste on be-

half of its members across Canada.

A detailed list of the specific products accepted in the program is available at ronaeco.ca Guy Crittenden is editor of this magazine.

Contact Guy at gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com

www.wastequip.com

Life on The sTreeT is Tough.

BuT we’re Tougher.

Consumers can now drop off cans of any brand of old or unused paint at any RONA or TOTEM Building Supplies store, no purchase necessary. By promoting the recovery of paint products, RONA provides consumers with an easy, convenient and economical way to do their part in protecting the environment.

RONA has been a Canadian pioneer in paint recovery from the start with the introduction of its recovery and recycling program 14 years ago in Quebec, followed by Ontario in 2008. Since its inception, the company’s program has prevented more than 15 million kilograms of leftover paint and paint cans from ending up in landfills. Nearly all the recovered paint has been recycled, producing 9.3 million kilograms of new paint (equivalent to 4.9 million gallons).

“We believe the correlation of green consumer habits is closely tied to availability and convenience,” says Luc Rodier, RONA’s Vice President for Western Canada. “[We] know from experience that it is easy for customers to remember to bring their unused paint to our stores when shopping for hardware and home renovation products.”

The introduction of the program in the three western provinces is a significant new contribution to paint recovery and recycling efforts in Canada and will result in a total of nearly 500 RONA paint collection points across the country. In-store promotions will continue to remind RONA and TOTEM Building Supplies customers to help keep unused paint out of landfills and waterways by participating.

Many types of home paint (latex, alkyd and stains) are accepted. The program does not include plastic paint, car paint, industrial paint, aluminum paint, road sign paint, granular dye,

with virtually double the life expectancy of other brands, Toter carts are survivors. even in the roughest climates and surroundings, they’re known to provide up to 20 years of active service life so they need a lot less repair along the way. Add up their years of service and factor in fewer repair and replacement trips and accompanying fuel costs, and you can see that Toter carts are your best investment by far. why we’re so Tough

• Instead of high density polyethylene (HDPE)

used by injection molders, we use medium density polyethylene (MDPE) in our patented Advanced Rotational Molding® process, which yields superior durability, flexibility and impact resistance.

• Our patented Rugged Rim® plus extra material in critical wear areas ensure Toter carts withstand rough handling.

Nestable with lids and wheels attached

21, 32, 48, 64 & 96 gallon sizes

To see our full line of carts call 877.468.9278 or visit www.wastequip.com.

Visit us at waste expo, booth #1723

August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 25 9259-WW WQ Toter_4.5x7.5.indd 2

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WA S T E B U S I N E S S

by John Nicholson “It is difficult to outsiders to understand that Post Plastics is not a waste company.”

The Future of Plastics Recycling

T

he use of plastics in modern society is everywhere and any campaign to stop their use is likely futile at this point. As sustainable practices become more prevalent, the recycling of plastic continues to be an ongoing challenge due to there being more than seven types that can be mixed and matched to make any number of products.

Nonetheless, the business of plastic recycling is growing and has proven to be lucrative to some.

Plastics exchanges & industry

Unbeknown to most, plastic scrap from the industrial, commercial, and institutional (IC&I) sectors is openly traded just like other commodities on various exchanges across North America. For example, there’s the American Plastics Exchange (APEXQ, www.apexq.com) and the Plastics Recycling Network (PPN, http://ontario.polychange.com). The commodity prices (from APEXQ, July 20) for the various plastic feedstocks can be seen in the table.

According to the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APPR), approximately 1,800 companies across North America recycle post-consumer plastics, triple the number of companies operating just a few years ago. Post-consumer plastic is the material found in municipal blue boxes; it needs to be sorted and categorized prior to processing and has no value as a commodity. (For more on municipal mixed plastics programs, see article on page 28)

At Schuyler, we give new life to discarded truck tires by recycling them into durable cutting edges.

Our breakthrough technology allows us to build the most durable recycled cutting edges in the world. In fact, recent tests indicated our edges last twice as long as molded rubber edges. With our innovative T-Track channel, mounting our edges is remarkably easy.

Learn more at rubbercuttingedge.com

Get in touch: 1-800-426-3917

26 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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WA S T E B U S I N E S S

Trusted

Proven Flexible

Type of Plastic

Source

Current Price (Low/High)

PET (scrap)

Post Industrial

0.150 to 0.350 per lb.

PET (regrind)

Post Industrial

0.260 to 0.690 per lb.

PVC rigid (scrap)

Post Industrial

0.150 to 0.180 per lb.

PVC rigid (regrind)

Post Industrial

0.190 to 0.590 per lb.

Polystyrene (regrind)

Post Industrial

0.600 to 0.600 per lb.

Polystyrene (repro)

Post Industrial

0.570 to 0.570 per lb.

Nylon 6/6 (regrind)

Post Industrial

0.900 to 1.290 per lb.

Polycarbonate (regrind)

Post Industrial

0.750 to 1.070 per lb.

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There are some companies in North America focus solely on post-industrial recycling plastics from the IC&I sector (ignoring post-consumer plastics altogether). The advantage of recycling post-industrial plastics is that the recycler is assured a much cleaner feedstock.

Post Plastics Canada Inc., located in Ajax Ontario, is an example of a Canadian company that focuses solely on post-industrial plastics recycling. It’s difficult for outsiders to understand that Post Plastics is not a waste company. It purchases its raw feedstock from post-industrial sources, either directly from other companies or via the aforementioned exchanges. As a buyer plastic scrap, the company reserves the right to reject a specific shipment of material if it’s contaminated with other types of plastic or other material.

This aspect differentiates the company from recyclers that are simply paid to receive and process a mixture of various plastics contaminated with other materials.

Post Plastics makes its money through upgrading the plastics it buys into a more useable feedstock for recycling by either shredding and/or baling. A quick glance at the table of commodity prices for PET scrap versus regrind clearly shows a difference ranging from $0.15 to $0.34 per pound.

the past 10 years. When he first started the business in 1999, there was high supply and low demand for recycled plastic and the majority of material was shipped to China.

Currently, there is a shift back to the North American market due to rising production costs in China.

Asked if he has any advice to those contemplating entering the plastics recycling business, Poitrais responds, “Managing contamination of the incoming material is the key to a successful business. There have been advances in separation technologies but the capital and operating costs of the equipment eat into profit margins.”

The future of plastics recycling is bright according to Poitrais.

“Although there are more competitors that have resulted in lower profit margins, increased volume has more than made up for it,” he says.

“Also, some companies are moving toward becoming multi-material recyclers, incorporating paper and metal into their business.”

A major driver in plastics recycling is the growth in the number of products that can be manufactured using recycled plastic.

Plastic decking, outdoor furniture, railway ties and curbs are some of the many products currently being manufactured from recycled plastic.

Trends

John Nicholson, M.Sc., P.Eng., is a consultant based in Toronto, Ontario. Contact John at john.nicholson@ebccanada.com

Kevin Poitrais, President of Post Plastics, has seen a definite shift in the industry over

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August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 27

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RECYCLING

Mixed Plastics

Promotion and education campaign aims to boost diversion

I

n 1983, Ontario started what has grown to be the Blue Box Program — a convenient recycling program that has spread across the country and endured for nearly three decades. Today more than 95 per cent of Ontarians participate in Blue Box recycling, resulting in over 900,000 tonnes of waste being diverted from landfill last year alone.

Stewardship Ontario has recently been working with four neighboring municipalities (City of Kawartha Lakes, County of Northumberland, City and County of Peterborough) and the Continuous Improvement Fund (see Blog article, last edition) to develop and launch a promotion and education campaign to increase the capture rate of mixed plastics.

Curbside audits were completed in all four municipalities and PET Thermoform was selected as the plastic packaging to focus on. The capture rate for all other mixed plastics was quite good in all four municipalities. PET Thermoform was only marginally less but — given recent announcements by Walmart and other large grocers regarding their commitment to switch from other packaging materials to PET Thermoform for several products — this seemed an ideal material for the campaign.

PET Thermoform materials include plastic clamshells that contain fruits (like berries), muffins and cookies from the grocer’s baking displays, “ready to go” roasted chickens and plastic egg cartons.

While the business objective of the campaign is to improve the capture rate of PET Thermoforms, the consumer-facing messages focus on educating residents on what PET materials are accepted in the blue box and what these materials become.

Each household in the four municipalities will receive a direct mail piece that focuses on PET materials and includes a “bumper sticker” for

Canada’s ONLY trade event serving the waste, recycling and public works markets

Creative for the campaign and display on an outdoor bin.

residents to stick on their blue box or recycling cart to serve as a reminder.

Stewardship Ontario is encouraging residents to upload a photo of their sticker on their blue box to the Stewardship Ontario website. They will then be entered into a draw to win one of four (per municipality) $100 gift cards at a retailer of their choosing. (25 options of retailers will be provided.)

This campaign includes radio, billboards, direct drop brochures, instore posters, etc.

Upon close of the campaign in September another curbside audit will be completed. Market research will also be conducted to determine public awareness of the campaign objectives.

If successful, this campaign will be shared with other municipalities and will be offered to them for implementation. Stewardship Ontario will share the results of this project, and all of the creative with municipalities who are either interested in boosting their capture rate, or adding mixed plastics.

Contact Sherry Arcaro at sarcaro@stewardshipontario.ca

November 9 - 10, 2011 Palais des congrès de Montréal Montreal, QC Canada

• Strong showing of leading companies • Diverse and qualified group of key buyers • Numerous networking opportunities • An informative symposium program • Top-notch showcase of new products • Insightful waste sector facility tours

Register Today! www.cwre.ca/ADS4 For more information on this exciting industry event, please contact Arnie Gess Call: +1.403.589.4832 Email: arnie.gess@cwre.ca Visit: www.cwre.ca 05/11HAZ

28 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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B

ED M

Energy creation. Recycling programs. Closed-loop solutions.

All to keep your business moving forward.

These are just a few of the innovations we’re delivering for customers and communities alike. We live in a world where things can no longer go to waste.

That’s why Waste Management is ensuring that we get the most from our existing resources. It’s good for business and the environment.

For more information visit us at wm.com.

©2011 Waste Management, Inc.

001258_Cycles swr a-s 11.indb Brand 29 Ad_Mech.indd 1

4/12/11 2:45:08 8/19/11 1:47 PM AM

O R G A N I C M AT T E R S

by Paul van der Werf “Applying compost to agricultural land is a lot like applying manure, except the compost facility replaces the cow’s stomach.”

Let’s Make a Deal!

Marketing compost into the agricultural sector

T

he Canadian composting industry has done very well marketing its high quality compost to the homeowner and horticultural market, but not as well with the agricultural sector, despite the kind of interconnectivity we have these days with the Internet.

In Canada about 2.5 million tonnes of organics are diverted annually. The country boasts about 70 million hectares of farmland; if each hectare received a modest application of a tonne of compost — well, the math is pretty easy. So the capacity for compost is there, but the market draw is not.

It’s not for lack of trying. I felt déjà vu when I recently learned of a new round of compost-agricultural trials taking place in Ontario, where some compost producers are working with the provincial government and a university to develop trials. This longer-term study starts next year, and look at the application of source-separated organics (SSO) and compare it with fertilizer-only and fertilizer/compost treatments.

This has happened before.

The National Agricultural Compost Trials (NACT) designed by Environment Canada was carried out by Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at their research stations across the country. NACT’s purpose was to assess the benefits of compost application to agricultural soils using compost whose feedstocks were municipal and industrial source-separated wastes.

It found (as have many other studies) that such compost can be beneficially used on agricultural land. What has never been properly

developed is the value proposition that goes along with it: it’s one thing for a product to be beneficial; it’s another matter for someone to actually want to buy it.

This new round of compost trials will undoubtedly show that compost can be beneficially used on agricultural land. What’s needed to convert past and future results into sustained compost sales? Let’s consider possible solutions.

Engineers are not Marketers: Greg Patterson, President and Owner of London, Ontario’s A&L Laboratories, has a longstanding track record at the forefront of defining the qualities of compost in Canada. A&L was instrumental in helping the Composting Council of Canada (CCC) develop its Compost Quality Alliance (CQA) (www.compost.org/CQA-En.html).

“Composters have not figured out how to market their compost to farmers,” says Patterson. “They’re trying to market compost with the same quality as would be marketed to the horticultural sector.” With tongue in cheek he adds that “engineers are not marketers,” the point being that the people who design or operate compost facilities should stick to that and leave marketing to marketing pros.

Show and Tell: Ontario’s Peel Region and Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association recently held a very successful open day with the agricultural community to showcase their SSO compost. It included educational sessions and tours that brought together 110 compost producers and farmers.

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O R G A N I C M AT T E R S

Michael Payne — until recently an Environmental Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and now with Black Lake Environmental — says, “As with most of us, farmers are visual learners and believers. They want to see compost’s value in the field through side-by-side demonstration trials comparing compost use with ‘normal’ farm practices, with farmers whom they know and trust.”

That’s the approach being taken by Stoney Creek’s Ontario’s Aim Environmental Group (and other Ontario compost producers) who manage composting operations at the City of Hamilton’s Centralized Composting Facility. (See Cover Story, page 8.)

“We work hard to actively engage the farming community and to clarify and thoroughly explain the benefits of compost to them,” says Justin Lim, Aim’s Marketing and Communications specialist.

“We’re working with the OMAFRA to use compost on agricultural plots,” he says. “We’re testing compost usage against fertilizers and other amendments.”

As well, Aim has taken a page from the crop seed companies whose signage with seed information stands proudly at the edge of farmer’s harvest-ready fields; Aim places signs on fields that use its compost.

Keep it simple: The composting industry needs to work towards not just selling the product but getting it onto the fields.

“Farmers are very busy people,” says Payne. “If getting this material applied to the field is not simple or it does not fit into their crop management program, then they’re less likely to use it.”

“Compost is best suited for a cash crop operation (as opposed to a livestock operation),” Payne says. “Typically these operations don’t have equipment capable of spreading the compost. The supplier may need to address this through equipment rental, custom application, and lower cost to those with equipment.”

Sell the right product: Farmers don’t need compost of the same quality as household and horticultural markets.

“There’s no such thing as bad compost, provided it meets environmental requirements,” says Patterson. “The composting industry has been trying to sell compost whose quality is too high for a price the farmer won’t pay. If you get $5/tonne for compost you’re doing well.”

The CQA clearly lays out broader ranges for parameters such as soluble salts, sodium and carbon to nitrogen ratio for composts that could be used agriculturally (i.e., soil amendment). Similarly, compost applied to farmland doesn’t need to have the same maturity level as that sold into the household and horticultural market. In some ways, applying compost to agricultural land is a lot like applying manure, except the

compost facility replaces the cow’s stomach.

“The real benefits of compost are organic matter, humates and its disease suppressive potential,” continues Patterson. The challenge is that it’s difficult to quantify a monetary value for these attributes.

Work with the fertilizer industry: Compost will not replace fertilizer; this should be a tenet. Nutrients are easy to develop a value proposition around because farmers buy them. While perhaps counterintuitive, basing compost’s value proposition on nutrients creates an unnecessary enemy of the fertilizer industry.

“You don’t want to alienate the fertilizer industry,” says Patterson.

Farmers maintain close relationships with the fertilizer industry, which has much more clout and deeper pockets then the composting industry.

“They can be your biggest marketing arm,” Patterson says.

It would be wise for the industry to work directly with the fertilizer industry to distribute their products to the farmer rather than try to compete with them. A great example of this is N-Viro, a company that markets its lime-stabilized biosolids through fertilizer distributors.

Solve problems: Successful products solve problems. For compost to be successful one needs to be able to sell farmers something they need but are not already buying. This again speaks to the need to develop metrics to incorporate organic matter, humates and disease suppression into a value proposition.

There are other problems. For instance glyphosate is used widely as a broad-spectrum herbicide to kill annual broadleaf weeds and grasses.

It’s been suggested that its regular use can impact crops grown on those soils.

“It essentially gives plants a kind of plant AIDS,” says Patterson. “It has a profound impact on the plant immune systems, rendering them susceptible to disease organisms that might be in the soil.”

Anecdotal evidence has suggests that compost can reverse this impact in soil. Further research is needed to prove this.

The process to gain the trust of the agricultural community is clearly a long-term one. Ultimately a new cogent and supportable value proposition needs to be created that spells out, in monetary terms, compost’s main benefits including organic matter, humates and disease suppressive capabilities, as well as problems that it can potentially help solve. An evidence-supported explanation to the agricultural community will transform compost from being merely a beneficial product into something they would actually like to buy.

Paul van der Werf is president of 2cg Inc. in London, Ontario.

Contact Paul at www.2cg.ca

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OWMA REPORT

2011 Truck Driving Championship

Waste Management of Canada and BFI Canada trucks navigating the course.

T

he 2011 OWMA Truck Driving Championship had 57 drivers registered to participate in one of the association’s best anticipated events ever. This year’s event was held at Waste Management Corp. of Canada’s superb facility in Toronto. It was a great course and an excellent day for all drivers and guests.

The 57 waste sector drivers competed in four categories (Front End, Rear Loader, Special Services, and Roll Off) for the honor of being “Waste Industry (Ontario) Truck Driving Champions” and continuing on to represent their companies at the Ontario Championships being held on July 8-10, 2011 in Milton, Ontario. The OWMA is very proud to have the support and sponsorship from members and local community companies. The following is a list of sponsors who made the event a success.

• BFI Canada Inc. • City of Toronto • GFL Environmental Corp.

• Green Lane Trust • Mack Trucks Canada Inc. • Miller Waste Systems • Niagara Waste Systems • Sandhill Disposal & Recycling • Waste Management of Canada Corp.

The OWMA would like to thank Waste Management of Canada for the use of their facility and their continuous support and assistance. A very special thank you to Miller Waste Systems for the use of their equipment and the support we received before, during and after the competition and to all of our sponsors, committee members, “on-site” volunteers and drivers and guests. The OWMA would like to recognize the efforts of the committee members and their companies who work hard all year long to ensure a smooth operation, an appropriate location and a fair competition. Special thanks to: Bill O’Meara (Miller Waste Systems, Markham), Craig Nelson (Sandhill Disposal & Recycling, Caledon), Devin Reesor (GFL Environmental Corporation), and Milt Hiles (BFI Canada Inc.) as well as the many other volunteers who show up to lend a hand.

Without our judges, there would be no competition and this year the judges were instrumental in making the day run smoothly. There are always the supporters who come out every year to “cheer” on their favorites, too.

A very special thank you to the companies who donated their trucks for the setup on Friday and the competition on Saturday: BFI Canada Inc., Miller Waste Systems and Waste Management of Canada.

Darlene Fortney (left), driver, City of Hamilton and winner of the Special Services (Recycling) category with Peter Hargreave (right), Director , Policy & strategy, OWMA.

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner — Kevin McSorley of Waste Management of Canada, Ottawa — and to our Rookie of the Year — Paul McKee of GFL Environmental Corporation, Hamilton. Also to all other category drivers and winners — congratulations on a job well done — the category winners received their plaques and prizes along with the respect and admiration of their companies, competitors and the over 180 people who attended the event. We congratulate the following individuals who will be competing at the provincial championships: • Jody Crooks (BFI Canada, Ottawa) • Mark Smith (Waste Management, Stoney Creek) • John Mackie (Waste Management, Concord) • Kevin McSorley (Waste Management, Ottawa) • Ryan Morrison (Miller Waste Systems, Markham) • Shawn Boyd (Waste Management, Sudbury) • Darlene Fortney (City of Hamilton, Hamilton) • Patrice Brissette (GFL Environmental Corp., Hamilton) • Darrin Piddington (BFI Canada, Bracebridge) • Paul McKee (GFL Environmental Corp., Hamilton) • Trevor Laronde (Miller Waste Systems, North Bay) • Brad Zandbergen (BFI Canada, Ottawa) Congratulations to all winners and good luck at the provincials! See you in London Ontario in 2012!

For more photos from the day, visit www.owma.org

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R E G U L AT I O N R O U N D U P

by Rosalind Cooper “BC has changed the commencement date for the its Small and Portable Appliance Recycling Program.”

Waste Initiatives across Canada Recycling Qualification Program

Ontario’s Recycling Qualification Program is now in effect, and the Recycling Qualification Office will handle all applications for processing of end-of-life electronics, and revisions to existing approvals. The office was established in April of this year to manage all assessments and approvals for recyclers. The view is that by establishing a national office for qualification of recyclers, the applications approval process will be streamlined and recycler assessments can occur in a more timely and diligent manner. Electronics Product Stewardship Canada worked with stewardship groups to review and revise the Electronics Recycling Standard from across Canada, namely: Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada, Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

New date for BC small appliance program

British Columbia has changed the commencement date for the Small and Portable Appliance Recycling Program operated by the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA). The program is intended to allow residents of British Columbia to recycle their small appliances. The program had been scheduled to commence on August 1, 2011 and required member companies to report on sales of small and portable appliance products and to pay environmental handling fees to CESA. CESA has created an online reporting system whereby reporting companies can register and file monthly reports on small appliance sales. The first sales report and fee remittance from members will be due in November for sales made in the previous month.

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R E G U L AT I O N R O U N D U P

New Quebec stewardship reg

Responsibility for the recovery and reclamation of certain products has been given to “commercial enterprises” as a result of a new regulation entitled “Regulation Respecting Recovery and Reclamation of Products

by Enterprises” promulgated under Quebec’s Environment Quality Act. The regulation took effect July 14, 2011.

The regulation requires that every “enterprise” that markets a new product under a brand, name or “distinguishing guise” must make arrangements for the product to be recovered and reclaimed by participating in an approved program. Where the product is marketed under more than one brand or name, the obligation is on the enterprise responsible for design of the product. The regulation supports the waste management hierarchy but includes the possibility of energy recovery in some circumstances, and also promotes environmental friendly product design.

New Ontario tire program

Ontario Tire Stewardship has launched a new program that would provide Ontario-based communities and organizations up to $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of recycled rubber products manufactured in the province. Products include rubber mulch, roof shingles and sidewalk tiles. The program is entitled the “Community Grant Program” and is open to municipalities, registered non-profit

community groups or organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and First Nation communities throughout Ontario.

In order to qualify for the grant, the projects must use products that are made from recycled rubber produced in Ontario, and must completed within twelve months of approval of the project. Two categories have been established for projects: the first involves granular products such as mulch for landscaping or playgrounds; the second involves manufacturing products such as patio tiles, sidewalks, athletic surfacing, roof shingles, and sub-flooring.

Aggregate industry certification

A certification program is being developed to enhance standards of environmental stewardship and encourage community involvement in Ontario’s aggregate industry. The effort comes as a result of six Ontario environmental NGOs and aggregate producers, known as the Aggregate Forum, retaining a management company to develop the program. Standards will be developed for the approval, operation and rehabilitation of aggregate quarries and pits in Ontario and will include biodiversity conservation, water management, progressive and final rehabilitation, community engagement, environmental research and education and awareness. Recycling constitutes an important component of the standards to be developed.

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34 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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PRODUCTS New waste bin

Bagster sweepstakes

Equilibri-Vie inc. has released a new public waste bin — the EcoloTOP. The bin is built with two compartments, allowing for two-way waste collection (trash/recyclables or compostables). It is five to 25 times less expensive than traditional waste bins with two compartments and is compatible for use with various types and sizes of plastic bags. The EcoloTOP is designed for efficient stacking and minimal packaging, resulting in lower transportation costs and optimized storage.

Visit www.eoclotop.com

This summer, thousands of home improvement projects were taken on with the help of Waste Management’s Bagster Dumpster in a Bag. In celebration, Waste Management launched The Bagster Summer Home Improvement Project as an online promotion at www.thebagsterproject.com Visitors to the site were able to connect with other do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts to share their project ideas and tips throughout the summer.

Promotional support included an online sweepstakes featuring a $10,000 Grand Prize towards the home improvement project of the winner’s choice. The Bagster bag is quickly becoming a popular choice for summer home improvement project waste removal because it is a cost-effective, on-demand solution for both DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors. Whether one is taking on a major home cleanup or redoing their bathroom this summer, the Bagster bag can take on the waste. The Bagster bag is a highly durable woven bag that can hold up to 3,300 pounds or up to three cubic yards of debris, including full sheets of drywall, doors and even a bathtub. Users can purchase a bag and use it for as long as they need. When the project is complete or the bag is full, customers can schedule collection, and a local Waste Management team will collect the bag from the curb within three business days. The Bagster bag sells for $29.95 at home improvement and hardware stores, as well as Amazon.com When it’s full, customers can schedule a collection online or through Waste

Management at 1-877-789-2247. Collection costs just $79 to $159, depending on the area — 50 to 70 per cent less than a dumpster rental.

New organic waste processor

The new Eco-Safe Digester from Marathon Equipment Company is an innovative breakthrough in confronting the growing problem of organic waste processing and disposal. The Eco-Safe Digester uses a highly-refined formula of microorganisms to break down organic waste into a liquid that can be safely flushed down the drain, enabling the effluent to return to the ecosystem as water. Within 24 hours, the digester can safely and quickly decompose virtually all organic food waste, including (but not limited to) meat, poultry, fish, grains, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

According to Geoff Apthorp, vice president of engineering and business development at Environmental Solutions Group, of which Marathon is a part, “The Eco-Safe Digester is an ideal solution for high-volume food waste generators, like supermarkets, hospitals, schools, prisons, restaurants, and hotels.

Visit www.marathonequipment.com

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November 3 – 4, 2011 November 2, 2011 • Workshops Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tradeshow and Conference for markets in: • HazMat Emergency Response • Spill Cleanup • Contaminated Site Remediation • Clean Technologies Call Toll Free 1-888-702-1111 x1

sitesandspills.com

Register Today!

www.sitesandspills.com August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 35

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PRODUCTS Biomass shredders

Let Gravity open your containers anD D keep your D Drivers rivers in your trucks!

The West Salem Machinery (WSM) Biomass Super Shredders™ combine the efficiency of a high-speed mill with the durability of a heavyduty grinder. Available with rotor widths from 60 to 88 inches (1524 mm x 2235 mm), these machines deliver higher tip speed for smaller, consistent fibre sizing, increased screen area for more thru-put, and flexible/interchangeable tooling.

The largest shredder — the massive Model 4888S — features a 48-inch diameter by 88 inch (1219 mm x 2235 mm) long rotor, and operates with 400-800 hp to convert high volumes of pre-processed biomass materials. The Super Shredders has superior production rates of up to 100 tph, eliminating the need for multiple machines; they include AR interior wear liners, modular sizing screens, dual pivoting hydraulic housing, and reversible/replaceable hammer tips for reduced maintenance and operating costs.

Visit www.westsalem.com

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A manual padlock or chain costs your company on every dump.

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Deca-bromine-free reusable plastic pallets

ORBIS Corporation, a manufacturer of sustainable reusable packaging and an expert in supply chain optimization, recently announced that it has received approval from Factory Mutual Insurance (FM) for a new fire-retardant

Project1

material, free of deca-bromine, for use in its family of FM-approved, fire retardant pallets.

Effective immediately, all ORBIS FMapproved pallets can be manufactured in this new additive, making ORBIS one of the leading manufacturers in the reusable packaging industry using this innovative material. While deca-bromine has commonly been used in household items requiring flame retardancy, including plastic housings for television sets, insulation for wiring, furniture and fabrics, it has, as a chemical additive, come under scrutiny recently. Several U.S. states have ordered a phase-out ban on the material, to be completed no later than 2013.

Effective immediately, ORBIS Corporation will manufacture more than 20 pallets with the new FM-approved deca-bromine free additive. Included among those 20 pallets are the popular RackoCell, Stack’R and Structo-Cell offerings.

Visit www.orbiscorporation.com

11/13/06

10:28 AM

Page 1

Find your green.

2cg

• Private & Public Sectors • Waste diversion planning • Residential, IC&I and • Recycling, MHSW, C&D waste streams Composting, MBT, E-Waste • Waste auditing Paul van der Werf, M.Sc. | 519-645-7733 | 877-801-7733 | 2cg.ca Mary Little | 905-372-4994

Inc.

Waste Management Consulting Services

36 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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Advertisers’ Index Company

Page #

August/September 2011

Company

Page #

AET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

International Sites & Spills Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

AMRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Laurin Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Bridgestone Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Paradigm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Battery Broker Environmental Services Inc. The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. (A. Chamberlain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Bulk Handling Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Paul Van der Werf (2CG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Plastics Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Schuyler Rubber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sheehan Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Curroto Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Stellar Industries INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Cdn Waste & Recycling Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 28 Environmental Business Consultants (J. Nicholson) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Trux Route Management Systems Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Van Dyk Baler Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Eriez Magnetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Walinga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

FinPro – Finland Trade Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Walker Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Geoware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Gore Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

WasteQuip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Experienced Sales Agent Wanted A Finnish system and equipment supplier providing environmental technology solutions within bioenergy, waste refinery and recycling is seeking an experienced and competent sales agent to work as an efficient link to the Canadian market, searching new customers and opening opportunities for the Finnish mandator.

The company develops, markets and delivers materials handling systems on a global basis and, with extensive Biomass-to-Energy and Waste-to-Energy expertise, specializes in turnkey deliveries of solid biomass handling systems as well as SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) and RDF (Recycled Derived Fuel) production plants for power plants and cement kilns.

2308 EddyCurrentAd611_Layout 1 5/24/11 4:52 PM Page 1

Recover Non-Ferrous Metals with Eriez’ Eddy Current Separators Eriez patented the 1st Eddy Current System and continues to provide innovative separation, sorting and recycling technology.

For applications and/or more information, please contact Mr. Ari Elo, Country Representative of Finpro Canada at Finland Trade Center, Burlington, Ontario.

Tel. +1.416.822.7435 and email ari.elo@finpro.fi

Call 888-300-3743 or visit

www.eriez.com

August/September 2011 www.solidwastemag.com 37

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BLOG

by Chaz Miller “Once again, they’re raising concerns that Canadian garbage is somehow bad, worse and more dangerous than America’s garbage.”

Oh Michigan!

I

t’s back! Just when you thought sanity was again reigning in Washington, America is worried about Canadian trash. (OK, I’m kidding about sanity and Washington, D.C., as anyone following the debate on our debt limit and budget knows.) In spite of the problems facing our country, both of Michigan’s US senators have introduced legislation intended to stop the shipment of Canadian trash into the United States.

Once again, they’re raising concerns that Canadian garbage is somehow bad, worse and more dangerous than America’s garbage. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s proposed Stop Canadian Trash Act (S. 840) would impose a $500 fee on each truck transporting foreign municipal solid waste into the United States. At $500 a pop, she figures Canadians would find somewhere else for their trash. Senator Carl Levin’s S. 860 (alas, no title) would require the Department of Homeland Security to prove that it can screen shipments of Canadian garbage for terrorist weapons to the same extent that it can screen shipments of other Canadian products for these weapons.

The two senators say they’re merely interested in protecting the health, safety and security of Michiganders. Perhaps. Although I suspect they are simply acting in the time-honored tradition of politicians throughout the world in seizing upon an unpopular issue — in this case shipments of Canadian garbage to American landfills — and using it to prove to their constituents that they’re fighting for them! (It’s worth noting that Michigan politicians have never complained about the export of Michigan hazardous waste to Canada.)

Let’s look at the issues they’ve raised.

Does Canadian trash pose a health and safety threat?

Five years ago, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 office released “Transboundary Movement of Municipal Solid Waste Comprehensive Inspection Report.” The study detailed the results of seven-month’s worth of inspections of Michigan and Canadian trucks depositing materials at eight Detroit-area landfills. Lo and behold, the inspections showed that Canadians and Michiganders make pretty much the same trash. EPA’s inspection team didn’t find significant problems in the garbage produced on either side of the border except that Canadian trash was slightly cleaner. Michigan waste actually had a slightly higher rate of “potentially prohibited items without a de minimis threshold” than did Canadian waste.

As for compost and recyclables, both sides of the border were doing a good job. Yard waste — banned from disposal in Michigan — was found more often in Michigan than Canadian trash. However, beverage containers were more likely to be found in Canadian garbage, possibly (according to the inspectors) because Ontario doesn’t have a bottle deposit, unlike Michigan.

Senator Debbie Stabenow’s proposed Stop Canadian Trash Act (S. 840) would impose a $500 fee on each truck.

As for security, a 2006 report from the Department of Homeland Security, “Audit of Screening of Trucks Carrying Canadian Municipal Solid Waste,” recommended the development of procedures and minimum requirements for selecting and inspecting trucks carrying Canadian municipal solid waste. However, the report also noted its officers were assigned “to higher risk priorities” for several months during the audit.

The debate over trash imports is not a partisan issue. Five years ago, Republican House members from Michigan delayed a vote on a proposed Free Trade Agreement with Oman in order to get a vote on banning Canadian trash. That bill never came to a vote in the senate because calmer heads prevailed. In fact, Michigan’s two senators noted the House bill would face serious legal challenges under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the US-Canada Agreement on transboundary waste shipments.

Yet now they are back.

They know that an outright ban will be illegal so they’re trying new legislative proposals in an attempt to undo what treaties guarantee.

That’s just politics in all its glory. Will they succeed? I doubt it. Senator Stabenow’s bill might pass the free trade test if the $500 fee was also imposed on Michigan-generated garbage. (Given the results of the EPA inspections, maybe it should!) But I don’t think her constituents would be too happy to see their garbage costs soar.

Let’s face it, this debate is unending. As long as people make trash, so will politicians.

Chaz Miller is Director, State Programs for the National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA) in Washington, DC. Contact Chaz at cmiller@envasns.org

38 www.solidwastemag.com August/September 2011

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