JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London,...

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Agenda Item # Page # TO: FROM! CHAR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING ON JULY 20,2009 JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A ~ . . . - . . . . I SUBJECT: I MUNICIPAL WASTE & RESOURCE MATERIALS COLLECTION BY-LAW I - ... - . . .. . . - . .-, . . . .. .. , . . . . . . . .. DIRECTOR-ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS 8 SOLID WASTE I ~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ RECOMMENDATION That, on the recommendation of the Director, Environmental Programs and Solid Waste: (a) the draft amending by-law, attached as Appendix A, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on July 27, 2009 to amend By-law WM-12 Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law, to add tires to the definition of Non-collectable Waste; and (b) the draft amending by-law, attached as Appendix B, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on July 27, 2009 to amend By-law WM-12 Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law, to delete polyethylene bags as allowable yard material collection receptacles. 1 PREVIOUS REPORTS PERTINENT TO THIS MATTER Relevant reports that can be found at www.london.ca under City Hall (Meetings) include: Update on Waste Diversion Programs, Environment and Transportation Committee Meeting on July 20,2009 Proposed Changes To The Community EnviroDepots and Yard Materials Management Program, Environment and Transportation Committee Meeting on June 22, 2009, Agenda Item # 22 R BACKGROUND PURPOSE 8 CONTEXT The purpose of the proposed by-laws are to revise the Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law to remove plastic bags as an option for the collection of yard materials and to add tires to the list of non-collectable materials. DISCUSSION Plastic Bags Residents are currently allowed a number of different options for containing yard materials for curbside collection including clear or translucent plastic bags, Kraft paper bags or reusable containers (e.g., garbage cans). Brush can also be cut to lengths of less than 1 metre and tied in bundles with twine or rope. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 plastic bags are used annually to contain yard materials for curbside collection. A Request for Proposals (RFP) to manage yard materials beginning in 2010 for a five (5) year term, was issued April 17, 2009 and closed May 19, 2009. The RFP requested pricing for a yard material collection system that allowed plastic bags as a collection container and for a yard material collection system that did not allow plastic bags. This pricing showed significant savings if plastic bags were eliminated as collection containers. In addition there are operational and environmental benefits and it is consistent with other municipalities, The advantages of continuing to use plastic bags are they are less costly for residents, they generally provide greater choice and convenience for residents and are more weather resistant. 1

Transcript of JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London,...

Page 1: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

Agenda Item # Page #

TO:

FROM!

CHAR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

MEETING ON JULY 20,2009

JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A ~

. . . - . . . .

I SUBJECT: I MUNICIPAL WASTE & RESOURCE MATERIALS COLLECTION BY-LAW I - . . . - . . .. . . - . .- , . . . .. .. , . . . . . . . ..

DIRECTOR-ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS 8 SOLID WASTE

I ~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~

RECOMMENDATION

That, on the recommendation of the Director, Environmental Programs and Solid Waste:

(a) the draft amending by-law, attached as Appendix A, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on July 27, 2009 to amend By-law WM-12 Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law, to add tires to the definition of Non-collectable Waste; and

(b) the draft amending by-law, attached as Appendix B, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on July 27, 2009 to amend By-law WM-12 Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law, to delete polyethylene bags as allowable yard material collection receptacles.

1 PREVIOUS REPORTS PERTINENT TO THIS MATTER

Relevant reports that can be found at www.london.ca under City Hall (Meetings) include:

Update on Waste Diversion Programs, Environment and Transportation Committee Meeting on July 20,2009 Proposed Changes To The Community EnviroDepots and Yard Materials Management Program, Environment and Transportation Committee Meeting on June 22, 2009, Agenda Item # 22

R BACKGROUND

PURPOSE 8 CONTEXT

The purpose of the proposed by-laws are to revise the Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law to remove plastic bags as an option for the collection of yard materials and to add tires to the list of non-collectable materials.

DISCUSSION

Plastic Bags Residents are currently allowed a number of different options for containing yard materials for curbside collection including clear or translucent plastic bags, Kraft paper bags or reusable containers (e.g., garbage cans). Brush can also be cut to lengths of less than 1 metre and tied in bundles with twine or rope. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 plastic bags are used annually to contain yard materials for curbside collection.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) to manage yard materials beginning in 2010 for a five (5) year term, was issued April 17, 2009 and closed May 19, 2009. The RFP requested pricing for a yard material collection system that allowed plastic bags as a collection container and for a yard material collection system that did not allow plastic bags.

This pricing showed significant savings if plastic bags were eliminated as collection containers. In addition there are operational and environmental benefits and it is consistent with other municipalities, The advantages of continuing to use plastic bags are they are less costly for residents, they generally provide greater choice and convenience for residents and are more weather resistant.

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Page 2: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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A more detailed discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of eliminating plastic bags as a collection container for yard materials is found in the report Proposed Changes To The Community EnviroDepots and Yard Materials Management Program by the Director- Environmental Programs and Solid Waste at the June 22, 2009 meeting of the Environment and Transportation Committee. This report concluded that the significant advantages of eliminating the use of plastic bags for the collection of yard materials outweighs the advantages of keeping plastic bags

Considering the above, Municipal Council passed the following resolution at its June 29, 2009 session

“...a public participation meeting BE HELD at the Environment and Transportation Committee meeting to be held on July 20, 2009 with respect to the complete phase out of the use of plastic bags and phase in of the use of kraft paper bags to contain curbside yard materials by January 1, 2010; i t being noted that during the first half of 2010 there will be additional short-term accommodation to assist residents that make an error;. ..”

The public participation meeting is scheduled for 7:OO p.m. on July 20, 2009. The required public notice for the public participation meeting was provided and included notices in the London Free Press and on the City’s website.

Staff have received one written comment and one verbal comment at the time of preparing this report. The written comment expressed concerns over the durability of the Kraft paper bags and will be included as a written submission for the July 20, 2009 ETC meeting. The person providing a verbal comment was concerned over the cost of Kraft paper bags.

The amending by-law to eliminate the use of plastic bags is being presented at the same time as the public participation meeting so that this change can be incorporated in the 2009/2010 Waste Reduction & Conservation Calendar should Council wish to proceed with eliminating the use of plastic bags for the collection of yard materials.

Used Tires Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) is a non-crown corporation created under the Waste Diversion Act (WDA) to develop, implement and operate waste diversion programs for materials designated by the Minister of the Environment. Materials that have been designated are Blue Box Waste, Used Tires, Used Oil Material, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste (MHSW).

WDO develops a waste diversion program, called a “Program Plan”, based on input from all stakeholders (industry, municipalities, environmental groups, etc.) and provides it to the Minister of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan was approved in Spring 2009 and will start on September 1, 2009.

Key features of the Program Plan are:

The Plan is based on extended producer responsibility Industry will pay “collectors” a fee of $0.80 for every tire collected Industry will remove tires from “collector” “Collectors” can be private, not-for profit organizations or municipalities Municipalities are encouraged to act as “collectors”

The report Update on Waste Diversion Programs by the Director, Environmental Programs and Solid Waste presented at the July 20, 2009 meeting of the Environment and Transportation Committee recommends collection of Used Tires at the existing EnviroDepots and at the W12A Landfill at no cost, Collection of Used Tires at these locations can be done at no or minimal cost to the City because the collection can be accommodated within the existing operations.

It is proposed Used Tires should no longer be collected at the curb since residents now have recycling options for Used Tires at no cost.

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Page 3: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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M a

WESLEY ABBOTT, P. ENG. DIVISION MANAGER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Conclusion Authorization of the attached proposed amending by-laws for the Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-law will remove plastic bags as an option for the collection of yard materials and add tires to the list of non-collectable materials.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was prepared with assistance from Michael Losee, Manager, Solid Waste Management; Sal Circelli, Division Manager, Solid Waste Operations and Lynn Marshall, Solicitor.

JAMANFORD, M.A., M.P.A. DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS & SOLID WASTE

I I\ \ \ PREPARED BY: 1 RECOMMENDED RY\

y:\shared\solwaste\etc-boc reports\rep062409.doc

c Pat McNally, P.Eng., General Manager, Environmental & Engineering Services & City Engineer

Appendix A: By-Law to Make Tires Non-collectable Waste Appendix 8: By-Law to Remove Plastic Bags as an Option for the Collection of Yard Materials

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Page 4: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

Agenda Item U Page#

APPENDIX A Bill No 2009

By-law No.

A By-law to amend By-law WM-12 Entitled “A By- Law to provide for the collection of municipal waste and resource materials in the City of London.”

WHEREAS section 543) of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipal power shall be exercised by by-law;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the City of London enacts as follows:

1. Section 1.1 of By-law WM-12 is amended by inserting the phrase “, tires” after the phrase “trucks, automobiles or any other vehicle, vehicle parts” in the definition for Non- collectable waste

The Short Title of By-law WM-27 is “Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-Law”.

This by-law shall come into force and effect on October 1, 2009.

2.

3.

PASSED in Open Council on July 27,2009

Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Mayor

Linda Rowe Acting City Clerk

First reading - Second reading - Third reading -

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Page 5: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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APPENDIX B Bill No. 2009

By-law No.

A By-law to amend By-law WM-12 Entitled “A By- Law to provide for the collection of municipal waste and resource materials in the City of London.”

WHEREAS section 5(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipal power shall be exercised by by-law;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the City of London enacts as follows:

1. The definition of “yard material collection receptacles” in Section 1.1 of By-law WM-12 is amended by inserting the phrase “compostable paper yard waste bags, but shall not include” after the phrase “or plastic cans and”.

In the By-law index replacing the phrase “3.3 Receptacles - polyethylene bags - requirements for yard material“ with the phrase “3.3 Receptacles - compostable paper yard waste bags - requirements for yard material”.

Section 3.3 of By-law WM-12 is repealed in its entirety and replaced by the following new section 3.3;

3.3 Receptacles - compostable paper yard waste bags - requirements for yard material

Occupants may place yard material in compostable paper yard waste bags provided the bags conform to the following regulations:

(a) Each compostable paper yard waste bag shall not exceed 100 centimetres (39 inches) in height by 76 centimetres (30 inches) in diameter;

(b) Each compostable paper yard waste bag plus any yard material contained therein, put out for collection, shall not weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

2.

3.

4. The Short Title of By-law WM-27 is ”Municipal Waste and Resource Materials Collection By-Law”.

This by-law shall come into force and effect on January 1, 2009 5.

Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Mayor

Linda Rowe Acting City Clerk

First reading - Second reading - Third reading -

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Page 6: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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TO: CHAIR AND MEMBERS ENVIRONMENT 8 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

!I MEETING ON JULY 20,2009 I! 11 FROM: I JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A. II

DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS (L SOLID WASTE 11 I! I SUBJECT: I WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FEES AND CHARGES BY-LAW I1 1 RECOMMENDATION I That, on the recommendation of the Director, Environmental Programs and Solid Waste, the attached proposed by-law to amend By-law WM-27 Waste Management Fees and Charges By-law (Appendix A) BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting to be held on July 27, 2009.

I PREVIOUS REPORTS PERTINENT TO THIS MATTER

Relevant reports that can be found at www.london.ca under City Hall (Meetings) include:

Proposed Changes to the Community EnviroDepots and Yard Materials Management Program, Environment and Transportation Committee Meeting on June 22,2009, Agenda Item # 22

1 BACKGROUND I1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this proposed by-law is to revise the fees and charges for waste management services to eliminate charges for bagged leaves delivered to EnviroDepots in the Fall.

CONTEXT

Municipal Council passed the following resolution at its June 29, 2009 session:

"_ . , The Civic Administration BE DIRECTED prepare amendments to the Waste Management Fees & Charges By-law, for Council's consideration, to remove the $1 per bag charge for leaves delivered to the Community EnviroDepots in the Fall.. ."

Council Policy By-law A-6151-17 requires public notice be given for changes to fee or charges by-laws. The required notice was provided and included notices in the London Free Press and on the City's website for a public participation meeting at the July 20, 2009 Environment and Transportation (ETC) Meeting to consider the proposed elimination of the $1 per bag charge for leaves delivered to Community EnviroDepots in the Fall.

DISCUSSION

It is proposed to remove the $1 per bag fee for leaves delivered in the fall (October, November and December) to the EnviroDepots. The $1 per bag fee was in place to discourage residents from using the EnviroDepots because the cost to transport the leaves (with the yard materials in uncompacted roll offs) from the EnviroDepots was greater than collecting them at the curb with City crews in compacting collection vehicles and due to lack of available space at both depots.

With additional space now available at both depots, it is now possible to manage bagged leaves (not loose leaves) at the EnviroDepots. The bagged leaves would be loaded into City compacting collection vehicles and brought to the cornposting facility.

Removal of the aforementioned fee will provide enhanced service for City residents to dispose of fall leaves.

Page 7: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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A public participation meeting to consider removal of the fee is scheduled for Julv 20, 2009 at the ETC Meeting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was prepared with assistance from Michael Losee, Manager, Solid Waste Management; Sal Circelli, Division Manager, Solid Waste Operations and Lynn Marshall, Solicitor.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS & SOLID WASTE

y:\shared\solwaste\etc-boc reports\BoC062909.doc

c Pat McNally, P.Eng., Acting General Manager, Environmental & Engineering Services & City Engineer

Appendix A: By-law amending Waste Management System Fees & Charges By-Law

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Page 8: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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El Page #

1

APPENDIX A Bill No. 2009

By-law No.

A By-law to amend By-law No. WM-27 entitled “A by-law to provide for imposing fees and charges for the services, activities and use of the waste management system.”

WHEREAS section 5(3) of the Municipal Act, 2007 SO. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipal power shall be exercised by by-law;

NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the City of London enacts as fo\lows:

1. Schedule “ A of By-law WM-27 is repealed and replaced with a new Schedule “A, attached.

The Short Title of By-law WM-27 is ‘Waste Management Fees and Charges By-law”.

This by-law shall come into force and effect on October 1, 2009.

2.

3.

PASSED in Open Council on July 27,2009

Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Mayor

Linda Rowe Acting City Clerk

First reading - Second reading - Third reading -

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Page 9: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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nn

Residential Waste 0 to 50 kgs 51 to 200 kas

Schedule A Waste Management Fees and Charges

Landfill DisDosal Fees - Standard Fees $0.00 $15.00

201 to 400 <gs 401 to 600 kgs 601 to 800 kgs 801 to 1,000 kgs > 1,000 kgs

Business Waste

Waste from Outside Service Area Accepted Under Ministerial Order Minimum Charge - excludina residential/ charitable oraanization waste

$30.00 $45.00 $60.00 $75.00 $75.00 per tonne $75.00 per tonne $ 150.00 per tonne

$ 75.00 per transaction

Landfill Disposal Fees - Pre-approved Fees Charitable Oroanization Waste I s 0.00 ner tonne 1 Recycling Process Residuals Recycling Process Residuals - reduced fee 1

Business Waste - reduced fee 1

Business Waste - reduced fee 2

Asbestos Waste

-charge account only; minimum monthlyfee $9,750

- charge account only; minimum monthly fee $12,750

-charge account only; minimum monthly fee $38,500

Daily Cover Waste Brownfield Waste

I $6.00 per tonne I $27.50 Der tonne

$38.00 per tonne $35.00 per tonne

$45.00 per tonne

$41 .OO per tonne

$300.00 lump sum DIUS $75.00 Der tonne

Grass Clippings

Bagged Residential Garbage Renovation Materials Small load

Car load Truck, Van, Small Trailer load

DroD-off DeDot Fees $1 .OO per bag

$1 .OO per container $15.00 per load $35.00 per load $50.00 Der load

Multi-Residential Buildings - Twice per week collection for buildinas that received twice Der week collection as of January 1,

$3.25 per unit per year

I 2005 and new buildings that requ re twice per week collection. Multi-Res'dential Build.ngs that received once per week collection I $120.00 Der hour as of January 1, 2005 - extra collections Multi-Residential Buildings - bin rental

Waste Management By-law WM12 Part 12 (Owner has failed to comply with WM12, Part 12; City collects waste at expense of owner)

$25.00 per month per bin

$120.00 per hour; $120.00 minimum per event

2. Landfill Disposal Fees are rounded up to the nearest dollar.

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Page 10: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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Definitions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7,

8

9

Standard Landfill Disposal Fees are tipping fees that are assessed to waste being disposed of at a landfill and do not require pre-approval from the City. Pre-approved Landfill Disposal Fees are tipping fees that may apply to certain types or quantities of waste disposed of at a landfill that require pre-approval from the City before these tipping fees can be assessed. Standard landfill disposal fees apply if the disposal of the waste is not pre-approved. Residential waste shall mean garbage and rubbish generated from residential curbside premises and multi-family building premises (refer to Waste Management By-law WM-12 for definition of garbage, rubbish, residential curbside premises and multi-family premises). Business waste shall mean garbage, rubbish and trade waste generated from industrial, commercial and institutional properties but shall exclude resource materials and non-collectable waste except for trade waste (refer to Waste Management By-law WM-12 for definition of garbage, rubbish , trade waste, resource materials and non-collectable waste) Charitable Organization Waste shall mean garbage, rubbish and trade waste generated from organizations that have registered charitable status (refer to Waste Management By-law WM-12 for definition of garbage, rubbish and trade waste). Daily Cover Waste shall mean solid non-hazardous waste from a "brownfield site" that is suitable for use as cover material. Brownfield Waste shall mean solid non-hazardous waste from a "brownfield site" that is not suitable for use as cover material. Recycling Process Residuals shall mean residuals produced from the recycling andlor composting of materials at facilities licensed by the Ministry of the Environment which have a diversion of 70% or greater. Asbestos Waste shall mean solid waste that results from the removal of asbestos-containing construction or insulation material or the manufacture of asbestos-containing products and contains asbestos in more than a trivial amount or proportion.

10. Grass Clippings shall mean clippings produced from a lawn mower or lawn trimmer. 11. Renovation Materials shall mean waste materials from the constructionlrenovation of residential

buildings and shall include metal, shingles, wood, drywall and other materials as appropriate. 12. Container shall mean waste collection receptacle (refer to Waste Management By-law WM-12

for definition) and includes metallic or plastic cans and polyethylene bags.

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Page 11: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

From: cathy easterbrook : Sent: Saturday, March 15,2003 5:43 AM To: Rice-Gascon, Janet Cc: Cathy Easterbmok SUbj- YARD MATERIALS-PAPER BAGS

RE:COLLECTION OF YARD MATERIALS IN PAPAER BAGS

I would like to speak against this. We who live in heavily treed areas have to pick up yard waste almost daily. I always have 8-10 bags & or bundles to put at the curb. I also have 3 large compost areas in my yard. Because the pick-up of the yard waste is not weekly, I have many times used paper bags and by the time my pick-up date occurs, the bags bottom has given out, or it tears when they lift it and them and I have to go and sweep the street,because of course it isn't in their job description to pick up the waste that has spilled. I love using the paper bags but they are not at all practical. Charging $1. per bag to drop them off at the depots will only encourage them to be dumped all over. Do you people not realize everyone is not as fortunate as you..to have a full time job. People in our city are hurting. Yet every idea that comes from city departments asks the taxpayer to pay more.

Thank you. Catherine Easterbrook 648 Westwood Drive

2009-07-06

Page 12: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

July 12,2009

City Hall City Clerk’s Office Room 308 300 Dufferin Avenue LONDON, Ontario N6A 4L9

Attention: J. Rice

SUBJECT: COLLECTION OF YARD MATERIALS (INCLUDING LEAVES) IN PAPER BAGS

This letter is submitted in response to the Notice of Public Participation Meeting July 20,2009 regarding the Collection of Yard Materials (including leaves) in Paper Bags recommended to begin January 1,2010.

I have read the Recommendation and Background information on this issue and am strongly opposed to the use of paper bags for leaf collection for reasons listed below.

As a resident of North London, I have approximately 50 bags of leaves for pick-up each year. Usually, half the leaves fall and three to four weeks later the balance come down in time for the last collection. Last year, however, they fell late about 10 days apart and were bagged more than a week before the last pick-up. They remained at the side of the house until the scheduled collection week prior to being put on the street-three rows across the front of my property and stacked three bags high. Due to the storm and, thus, a delay in collection, they remained on the street for 17 days. Therefore, they had been bagged for a total of 26-27 days by the time they had been picked up. During the time on the street, we had rain that turned to ice and snow three times. Each time I went out, took the ice off the bags (cracked it and it slid off the plastic which wouldn’t happen with paper bags), and lifted each bag to ensure those on the bottom were not fi-ozen to the pavement.

Two years ago our leaves were also on the street for approximately two weeks before pick-up. My next door neighbour’s leaves were in plastic bags but being snow covered, about a dozen were missed in the pick-up and remained until spring. Several bags were ripped open by snowplows and when the snow cleared in March, decomposed leaves were all over the road.

Your report stated “Some residents prefer the use of plastic bags and find them easier to store and carry when full.” I agree with that statement, however, I don’t have anywhere to store my bags except at the side of the house. Additionally, you state I ‘ . . .if left outdoors or with wet materials inside for an extended period, the bottom of the bag becomes soft.” A member of the Solid Waste Management Department advised me that paper bags will start to deteriorate in about a week or ten days in inclement weather. Suffice it to say, the bottom will fall out. It is also possible that two or three of my bags may have wet contents when the eaves are cleaned out, as was the case last year.

Page 13: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

Page 2 July 12,2009

other drawbacks to the paper bags are they are more cumbersome to handle and cannot be tied securely like the plastic bags. Should they get knocked over or blown by the wind, they may be hit by a vehicle, open, or get tom, and leaves may fall out andlor be blown around.

I know that paper bags are better for the environment and I do my best to do my part but because of the weather over which none of us has any control, this is my MAJOR concern.

Regarding costs, your chart did not include sales tax and GST. I checked out three retailers in my area this past week and found the following:

- Store Paper Bags Price Plastic Bags - for 20

Price for20

Store #1 $2.79 +tax for 5 = $.63/bag $12.60 $5.99 +tax for 40 = $.17/bag $3.39/yr.

Store #2 $2.99 +tax for 5 = $.68/bag $13.52 $8.99 +tax for 40 = $.25/bag $5.08/yr.

Store #3 $3.97 +tax for 10 = $.45/bag $ 8.98 $16.49 +tax for 100 = $.19/bag $3.73/yr.

Therefore, the price difference for 20 bags using the cheapest per bag price is: Store #3 for paper bags and Store #1 for plastic bags = $5.59 more for paper

I use 50 or more plastic bags and estimate I will require about 75 to 80 paper bags because I won’t be able to get as many leaves in a paper bag as I did in the plastic bags. In plastic bags, the leaves can be squashed down as the bags are more pliable. Based on this, my cost will be $22.38 extra for 80 paper bags over plastic bags. (Store #3 and Store #1)

You have indicated the cost savings to the City “translates to approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per year more for the current collection system” and that “It is estimated that the typical cost to switch to paper bags from plastic bags will be between $.30 and $7.00 for a homeowner that generates 20 bags of yard material per year.

According to my calculations, based on 100,000 homes in the city (this figure was supplied to me several months ago so may not be quite accurate), I estimate 95,000 homes using 20 bags a year and the remaining 5,000 using 50 bags a year as old north and old south have many trees as well as the area I live in.

My figures are: 95,000 homes (20 bags) x $5.59 = $531,050 5,000 homes (50 bags) x $13.13 = 65.650

Total Cost to Taxpayers = $596,700

Page 14: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

Page 3 July 12,2009

You conclude with the summary that “Overall the significant advantages of eliminating the use of plastic bags for the collection of yard materials outweighs the advantages of keeping plastic bags. The cost savings to the city exceeds the added cost to the homeowners for paper bags, there are operational and environmental benefits and it is consistent with other municipalities.”

Per my figures, the cost to taxpayers is $596,700 which exceeds the cost savings to the city by a substantial amount. Unless the city has some other procedure in place for the leaf collection in the fall, especially during November and December, for the reasons I have listed above, cost as well as weather and storage issues, or bags being left on the road for two weeks or longer, in my opinion, I think this is the wrong direction to take. Should more frequent pick-ups be in place, the additional cost for equipment and manpower would likely eliminate any cost savings the city expects to achieve by using paper bags.

In summary, I would rather see $2.00 or $3.00 per home be added to the property tax bill to offset the additional costs to the city to continue with the collection as is currently in place.

Should the recommendation of Mr. Stanford for the use of paper bags go ahead, I would hope, should we have inclement weather during the period from the November pick-up to the completion of the final pick-up of the year, that collection crews have shovels on the trucks and be prepared to clean up the mess on the streets from the deteriorating bags. I would also hope those additional labour costs would be taken into consideration when calculating the cost savings to the city.

Thank you for taking this submission into consideration.

Yours truly,

E. h e

C: Paul Hubert, Chair, ETC Committee

Page 15: JAY STANFORD. M.A.. M.P.A I - London, Ontariocouncil.london.ca/meetings/Archives/Agendas/Environment...2009/07/20  · of the Environment for approval. The Used Tires Program Plan

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Rice-Gascon, Janet

From: Lea Barker Sent: Monday, July 13,2009 7:25 AM To: Rice-Gascon, Janet Subject: Collection of Yard Materials in Paper Bags

Ms. Rice-Gascon

I read with interest the notice regarding the proposed use of paper bags for the curbside collection of yard waste materials. This would be a positive move away from plastic bags.

My previous experience while living in Montreal was the collection of the paper bags by the city’s chipper unit & truck. Rather than being collected in a truck, transported to a site for sorting of the plastic from the compostable materials, it was shredded at the time of pick-up and transported directly to the composting site. What a simple and efficient way to handle the waste. Branches and other yard were handled at the same time.

However we must not remove the option for home owners to place there yard waste in bundles or reusable garbage containers as appropriate. I currently cut any branches into 3’ lengths tied in easy-to- lift bundles. I also have a number of plastic containers into which I place the smaller pieces of trimmings. Very efficient and ecologically friendly.

Were we to move to paper bags exclusively it would become an increased revenue stream for the suppliers and retailers. Plus we would see an increase if the retail cost of the bags. Perhaps the city would need to become a vendor as a revenue stream but also to protect the citizens fiom price gouging.

Regards,

Lea Barker Westmount,

2009-07-13