Work can now move ahead to divert 90 per cent of waste in the Regional District of Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

waste reduction

Long-in-the-works solid waste management plan approved for Regional District of Nanaimo

Mar 13, 2020 | 5:06 PM

NANAIMO — The goal of diverting more waste from the Cedar landfill is closer than ever.

B.C.’s ministry of environment approved on March 5, 2020 the solid waste management plan put forward by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) in July, 2018.

Larry Gardner, manager of solid waste with the district, said everyone was thrilled to receive the go-ahead from the province.

“We’re asking for some new authorities that haven’t been granted in the province. As a result, we knew the ministry would be doing a very comprehensive review and we did know it would take longer than typical.”

The goal of diverting up to 90 per cent up waste from the Cedar landfill is based on two major operations: mandatory source separation requiring everyone have garbage, organics and recycling bins and also licenses for waste haulers.

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Gardner said their first task is putting together a timeline for draft bylaws and public consultation on their targets.

It will then return to the ministry of environment, but Gardner said approval is expected in a quicker amount of time.

“The minister in his approval letter committed to providing support and moving that forward, which is really positive and we’re really encouraged about.”

Gardner said the second round of approvals is expected to happen within a year.

The regional district predicted, when submitting the plan to the province, it would increase the user rate bill for taxpayers between Cedar and Bowser by $10.

The RDN has the third highest waste diversion rate among B.C.’s 27 regional districts, according to the province.

Gardner estimated between 65 and 68 per cent of items are properly kept away from the Cedar landfill.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit