Enforcement is put on the back burner after grace period ends

Hope Lompe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Ten months after the Mandatory Waste Source Separation (MWSS) program rolled out for multi-family dwellings and commercial spaces, the regional district says industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) businesses are slow on the uptake.

The bylaw update requires all multi-family residents and ICI businesses to be compliant with the MWSS, a three stream system that separates organic compost, recyclables and landfill items, with the long term goal of diverting 90 per cent of waste away from landfills.

Also included in the bylaw were incentives for waste haulers, who get a discount if their loads contain 20 per cent or less contamination, to be increased over time. All but one hauler as of Nov. 4 has signed up for the program.

With the incentive, costs are higher for loads that are not source separated, and those expenses will be passed on to customers, like ICI businesses, who can avoid paying the higher price by using the three bin system.

Multi-family spaces and ICI businesses had six months from January to implement the three-stream system before the Regional District of Nanaimo said bylaw enforcement would come into effect. However, with adoption of the program stalling, 10 months later the RDN has pivoted to educational promotion to get more on board.

“In the past, they’ve been able to choose to recycle or divert organics based on their own priorities and what they decide to do. So really, what we’re doing is a lot of education,” says Benjamin Routledge, manager of solid waste services for the RDN.

The RDN hired a consultant to develop a Sort Smart, Waste Less program that includes posters for buildings and businesses to promote waste separation. Routledge says they are trying alternate means of getting business on board before resorting to bylaw enforcement, even though the grace period has passed.

“What they’re doing is they’re going out to some of those larger retail locations and anybody that has inquired and really starting to help coach them through the process of what this sort of looks like. It’s not just about putting three bins in place. It’s about how to use those bins appropriately, and really, in doing so, reduce their costs for waste management,” says Routledge.

“We really want to set up a system where it works well, materials are being diverted and the appropriate materials are being diverted, and so we can build those circular solutions, and eventually the circular economy.”

While unable to provide specific numbers, so far, multi-family dwellings and public buildings have been the most compliant compared to ICI spaces. Routlege says compliance officers will “come online” on Jan. 2, but for now, the RDN plans to take it slow and continue with promotional materials before any enforcement measures, like fines, are implemented.

“Nobody’s been fined and we’re not out there actively enforcing it. What we are doing is going around talking to businesses, talking to multifamily dwelling properties, and really starting to see what their needs are and how the program can work for them,” says Routledge

“We’re definitely working at voluntary compliance before we ever start to get towards mandatory enforcement.”

The goal of the program is to get to 90 per cent of waste diversion away from the landfills. Prior to the program roll-out the RDN was at 67 per cent, and by the end of this year Routlege predicts they could be up to 70 per cent.

However, he adds the 90 per cent is really a generational goal, and anticipates to be at 80 per cent by 2032 or 2033. The RDN is looking at adding a staff position to help with the success of their diversion goals in the 2026-2030 financial plan.

“It’s really going to be up to the residents and businesses of the Regional District to participate against that total,” he says. “I like to think that most people, most businesses, want to do what’s best for the environment and society, so my hope is the vast majority will participate voluntarily.”