TRENDS IN ORGANICS COLLECTION IN URBAN SETTINGS:IS WASTE DIVERSION AT ITS LIMITS?OR IS THERE A NEW “ZERO WASTE” POSSIBILITY

摘要

Urban areas are facing unprecedented densification ofrnhousing stock as the population increases within therngeographic confines of municipal infrastructure systemsrnattempting to mitigate urban sprawl. As a result multirnfamily (MF) housing - both high density (HD) apartmentsrnand condominium units, and ground oriented mediumrndensity (GOMD) townhomes - replace the predominantrnsingle family (SF) housing demographic. While the vectorsrnfor change vary from region to region there arerncommonalities that can be discussed in the broader NorthrnAmerican context.rnIn waste management the largest impact resulting from thisrnshift in demographics appears to be in the organic stream.rnFrom the standpoint of organics management, the effects ofrnlong established backyard composting and yard wasterncollection might well be wiped out with the change inrnurban demographics and habits. Individual townhomes willrnlikely not have composting in back yards- as homes onrnlarger lots might- and strata corporation rules in gatedrncommunities might even prohibit such. Yard wasterncollection may not be offered to town homes in stratarncorporations in the same way that it may have been offeredrnin the past to single-family residences. The majority ofrnorganic waste may be left to the management practices ofrngardening services contractors – contractors that may orrnmay not opt to partake in a green waste program.rnAt worst, yard waste generation- in the absence of DemandrnSide Management (DSM) yard waste disposal bans - mayrnbe added to the waste equation as “newly” tracked wasterngoing to disposal.rnThis paper outlines how consideration is now being givenrnto broader based organics collection, and how thernfeasibility of food waste collection is being investigated inrnseveral jurisdictions in Vancouver and Victoria areas of British Columbia. These considerations are applicable tornmany parts of North America. Waste management optionsrnwith a zero waste backdrop that are now being consideredrn“must have” economically feasible strategies. Thernobjective is to implement best value options for therncollection and delivery of residential organic waste tornprocessing facilities on the basis of costs, efficiency, andrnconvenience to residents. Product marketability, andrntechnical viability within the parameters of this new urbanrndemographic must also be proven.