Report to: General Committee -                                                Report Date: May 26, 2008

Community Services and Environment

 

SUBJECT:                           Zero Waste Policy for Town Food and Catering Services and Events   

 

PREPARED BY:                  Claudia Marsales, Manager, Waste Management, Ext. 3560

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

THAT the Report entitled “Zero Waste Policy for Town Food and Catering Services and Events” be approved;

 

AND THAT effective July 1, 2008, all food service operations and Town run events in the Civic Center conform to Markham’s Zero Waste Food and Catering Service Policy;

 

AND THAT effective January 1, 2009, all food service operations in Town owned or leased facilities and Town run events conform to Markham’s Zero Waste Food Service and catering Policy subject to negotiations with contracts already in place;

 

AND THAT effective January 1, 2009, all food service vendors who supply services directly or indirectly to the Town, through the servicing of Town sponsored events be prohibited from using polystyrene food serving products including but not limited to plastic utensils, clamshell containers, cups, and plates;

 

AND THAT an awareness and education program be developed;  

 

AND THAT the Town’s cafeteria services contract mandate the adherence to this policy;

 

AND THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

PURPOSE:

To approve Phase 1 of a multi-phased Zero Waste Strategy – a Zero Waste policy for food service operations at all Town facilities and events including the banning of polystyrene food service ware effective January 1, 2009. 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Markham has assumed a leadership role in Ontario, working with other Zero Waste communities, to actively pursue and advocate strategies to advance to Zero Waste. Pursuing Zero Waste principles and adopting Zero Waste policies is consistent with Markham’s Green Print Sustainability goals and 75% diversion target for 2008 moving to zero waste.

 

Markham is reviewing its policies, contracts, and operating procedures to incorporate Zero Waste provisions and actions into all aspects of its organization to encourage the use of materials and products that are recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Waste audits have demonstrated that foamed polystyrene (styrofoam), clear polystyrene and other plastic food service products constitute an impediment to achieving Zero Waste at Town facilities and events because they cannot be recycled or composted in the Region of York’s waste management programs.

 

Waste Management staff are in the process of preparing a comprehensive Zero Waste policy document entitled “Reaching for Zero” in conjunction with the Town’s Green Print strategy.  “Reaching for Zero” will outline the recommended steps to turn the Town away from a focus on waste collection and disposal to a Zero Waste model, with its significant environmental and social benefits.

 

In absence of the finalization and overall approval of the strategy document, staff took advantage of an immediate opportunity presented by way of contract negotiations relating to the extension of the Town’s cafeteria services ( one of the largest contributors of waste in the Civic Center) to include elements of the policy as they relate to catering services.

 

By establishing Zero Waste policies, the Town is joining a growing global movement of local governments that are moving towards Zero Waste. The Town has already held very successful several Zero Waste park openings and conferences. On April 09, 2008 the Ecological Action Conference was held in the Civic Center as a Zero Waste event and was very well received.

 

This report recommends that the Town take an important step forward in acting on its commitment to sustainability by adopting a Zero Waste food service policy at all Town facilities and Town run events.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The “Zero Waste” Philosophy

 

Municipal waste management systems have been developed on the premise that waste is an inevitable burden that must be managed, collected, and disposed of through the property tax system. “Zero Waste” is a new approach, one which recognizes that the majority of waste is not ‘waste’ at all but a by-product of poor packaging, bad product design, convenience and inefficient markets.

 

Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott has set a long-term goal of Zero Waste as part of the giant retailer's march towards sustainability. Scott's reasoning is simple: "If we had to throw it away, we had to buy it first. So we pay twice, once to get it, once to take it away."

 

Zero Waste is not a literal target.  It will not be possible to eliminate every item from the waste stream. However, if we do not strive for zero, we will continue to make only unfocused incremental progress to stem the tide of disposable single use products and packaging. Adopting a Zero Waste approach will give Markham a clear vision toward reducing future waste exports to landfill or incineration to very close to zero.

 

 

 

Zero Waste:

·         Recognizes that municipal collection and disposal costs are a hidden subsidy to service providers and manufacturers

·         Places resources on waste avoidance not  down stream disposal strategies

·         Maximizes recycling and composting

·         Recognizes discarded materials are potentially valuable resources

 

Leading By Example -   Waste Audits Highlight Zero Waste Opportunities

 

The Town of Markham achieved a 69% diversion rate in 2007 and built on this achievement by establishing a new waste diversion target of 75%. On June 26, 2007, Council took an initial step towards Zero Waste approving the following resolution:

 

“AND THAT Markham’s Waste Management staff work with the Purchasing and Asset Management Departments to investigate and report back on a Zero Waste procurement policy for all purchasing activities within the Town, including financial implications”.

 

To inspire residents and businesses to embrace Zero Waste, the Town began by setting an example in its own operations. According to staff conducted waste audits, over 90% of materials generated in the Civic Center are recyclable or compostable.  Consequently, the Waste Management and Asset Management Departments have actively pursued Zero Waste opportunities at the Civic Center reducing the Civic Centre’s waste collection service from a 20 cubic yard container emptied every week to 10 x 95 gallon tote containers emptied twice monthly.

 

Polystyrene Plastic Food Service Products Are Impediments to Zero Waste

 

Waste audits of the Civic Center waste bin indicated large amounts of non recyclable polystyrene plastic was being generated from internal food service operations.

 

Polystyrene is commonly used as a food container due to its light weight, insulating properties, convenience and low price. Unfortunately, its environmental cost is quite high. Polystyrene is a petroleum based product that will not biodegrade.

 

The base chemicals in polystyrene are benzene and styrene.  Styrene is a potential neurotoxin and both chemicals are possible carcinogens. Evidence suggests that uncontrolled incineration of polystyrene foam may release toxic emissions threatening air quality and public health. Complex chemical reactions may occur during the incineration process, releasing potentially harmful emissions or leachate.

 

Polystyrene is not easily recyclable because of its light weight and low value.  It is not accepted in the Region of York’s recycling program because of material handling challenges and unsustainable economics.

 

 

The use of polystyrene food serve products is not necessary because many alternatives are available. Acceptable alternatives to polystyrene products include paper plates, paper cups, wooden stir sticks, paper drinking straws, and compostable starch-based polymer products are readily available in the market place. These items can be composted with food waste.

 

Over twenty cities have banned polystyrene plastic since the 1990’s.  These include Portland, Oakland, Santa Monica, Berkeley, San Francisco, Suffolk County, NY, Freeport Maine and Galena Alaska.  This past Earth Day, April 22, 2008 Turner Valley, Alberta, located 60km south of Calgary, became the first Canadian municipality to announce its intention to ban polystyrene.

 

 

Education and Promotion

Staff recommends an extensive awareness and education program be developed to include:

·        A Zero Waste Food and Catering Guide be developed

·        FAQ’s on Town web page

·        Copy of policy attached to food service tenders

·        Signage at all food service areas

·        Lists of approved alternative products and product samples

Financial Impacts

Polystyrene plastic is a petroleum based product. As the cost of oil continues to increase,  products made of plastic are also increasing in price. Add the cost of collection and disposal and there is little economic downside to switching to recyclable products. There is now a very slight price differential between polystyrene products and recyclable products. There is currently no meaningful recycling of food service polystyrene products, due in part to contamination from food residue. Alternative products, which are biodegradable, reusable and/or recyclable, are readily available at reasonable cost.

The policy will not go into effect until January 1, 2009 to allow affected vendors time to get rid of or use up any leftover polystyrene products.

CONCLUSION

 

Markham will not be able to meet its 75% waste reduction or sustainability goals solely through traditional downstream recycling programs, which seek to divert from disposal materials that have already been consumed and discarded. Zero Waste strategies will be required to achieve both goals. To reach Zero Waste, the Town will need to continue to identify and implement new policies and programs in the future that seek to avoid waste creation.

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not Applicable

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Establishing a Zero Waste goal for Markham is consistent with the Town of Markham’s corporate goal of “Environmental Focus” and Council’s 2007 priorities.  

 

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Waste Management staff will work with Corporate Services staff to develop Markham’s Zero Waste policies.  When implemented, Markham’s Zero Waste policies will affect aspects of all of the Town’s Business Units

 

 

RECOMMENDED

BY:                           

 

 

 

________________________                                               

Peter Loukes, P.Eng                                                                            

Commission Lead, Operations and Asset Management                                                 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Zero Waste Food and Catering Services

 

q:\commission share\operations and asset management\reports\2008\waste\zero waste policy for town food and catering services and events.doc