Board of Trade Statement on Bylaw 280

Burnaby Board of Trade Calls for Approval of New Waste
Bylaw to be Delayed

While the Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) supports Metro Vancouver’s goals of reducing waste and increasing regional diversion rates, it has concerns with Metro Vancouver’s Bylaw 280 and recommending the Minister of Environment delay its approval.

The BBOT supports the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic results and through initiatives like its innovative “Pledge for a Sustainable Community” works with businesses to improve the sustainability of their operations and practices. The BBOT supports efforts to increase recycling and diversion rates and improve the sustainability of the region.

After meeting with representatives from both Metro Vancouver and the Waste Management Association of BC, the BBOT concluded that while Bylaw 280 does appear to be consistent with regional diversion goals, it has undesirable impacts on private enterprise in the region.

The BBOT is concerned with the language of Bylaw 280 that would result in increased waste processing costs borne by business and decreased opportunities for private enterprise involvement in regional waste management.

Equally concerning for the BBOT is the impact of the totality of waste regulations on business. With the MMBC stewardship regulations coming into effect recently and the implementation of Metro Vancouver’s organics waste ban upcoming, the BBOT feels now is not the time for further regulation.  The BBOT recommends the provincial government allow time for the existing rules and the new organics ban to be fully implemented and fully understood by business before considering approving and implementing Bylaw 280.

Should Bylaw 280 be approved, the BBOT recommends the provincial government work with Metro Vancouver to ensure the bylaw is implemented in such a way as to minimize future increases in the tipping fees paid by businesses and to maximize the opportunity for private-sector firms to participate in the waste management and diversion regime. In addition, the BBOT believes there should be a mandatory review of the bylaw scheduled following its implementation to assess its efficacy and impact and that consultation with the business community be a mandated component of that review.
Bylaw 280 is a regulation of Metro Vancouver designed to mandate that all garbage/recycling generated in Metro Vancouver is processed in-region at Metro Vancouver regional sites. The bylaw would forbid waste haulers from taking waste to any facilities besides designated Metro Vancouver regional facilities. Metro Vancouver purports that this bylaw is necessary to limit the diversion of local waste away from local facilities, to ensure the continuance of source separation of garbage and to achieve the current waste diversion targets.

Bylaw 280 was approved by Metro Vancouver in Fall 2013 and is currently awaiting final approval from the Minister of Environment. Click this link to read the text of Bylaw 280