Source separated organics disposal contingency plan approved by Region

The solid waste committee of York Regional council recently approved a contingency plan to export surplus source separated organics (SSO) to a facility based in Niagara Falls, New York.

The short-term contingency plan with Covanta Niagara L.P. ensures continuous Green Bin program operations in the event of service disruptions at existing facilities in Ontario and Quebec, where the Region has processing contracts.

"The Green Bin program is a tremendous success across our region and is embraced by our residents," said York Chairman Bill Fisch. "We continue to increase Green Bin participation and are taking measures to ensure appropriate capacity for our popular organics program."

York Region currently holds SSO processing contracts with companies in Ontario and Quebec. Reduction in processing capacity in 2007 has prompted the need for a contingency plan.

In the event of service disruption with existing contractors, the solid waste committee has approved the short-term transportation and treatment of surplus organics at the Covanta energy-fromwaste facility in New York. The short-term solution would be used only until additional Ontario and Quebec capacity become available in late 2008.

"Region-wide efforts with our organics program remains in the early stages, however, this is a pro-active decision to ensure a destination for our collected organic material," said Vaughan Councillor Mario Ferri, chair of the committee. "Continuing use and support of the Green Bin program will keep us on track to attain our goal of diverting 65 per cent of all waste from landfill by 2010."

In 2008, 80,000 tonnes of SSO will be generated across the Region by the Green Bin program. The Region's approach to ensure longterm capacity for SSO diversion includes the following: • Negotiations are underway with new providers to offer additional capacity for York Region in 2008. • Last month, the Region signed a 30-month contract with Quebec-based Conporec Inc. for processing up to 39,000 tonnes per year of SSO material. Conporec operates a temporary facility at Champlain, Quebec and expects to open operations at Beconcour, Quebec by May 2008. • Orgaworld, operating in London, Ontario, currently accepts 30,000 tonnes per year of organic material. Orgaworld expects to have an additional 30,000 tonnes capacity per year for York Region by December 2008. • York Region and Dufferin County released a joint Request for Proposal in October for construction of a SSO facility in Dufferin. If successful, the facility could begin operations in 2009 with an estimated available capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year for the Region.

In addition to successful Green Bin and Blue Box programs, York has several other solid waste management priorities outlined for the next three years. These include: • Increasing blue box processing capacity. • Opening new community environmental centres. • Furthering efforts with the Durham-York Residual Waste Environmental Assessment Study. • The Dongara pelletization project.