The District of Squamish is proposing an amendment to its solid waste bylaws requiring all new food service businesses applying for a business license to submit a Waste Diversion Management Plan with their application.
This new requirement is aimed at reducing waste at its source. According to a staff report, a recent waste audit revealed that 41% of waste in the Squamish Landfill originates from the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors. Of that waste, 72% is recyclable or compostable.
Under the proposed amendment, new food service businesses will be asked to complete a waste diversion plan detailing how to handle recyclable and compostable materials. The District will provide a template to assist businesses with the plan. This new requirement will not apply to existing food businesses or annual license renewals.
“This Plan would be reviewed by staff to ensure the applicant has effectively considered the materials they will generate through their business. It also would provide an opportunity for Staff to engage with the applicant to ensure waste reduction and disposal best practices are being considered,” notes the staff report to the council.
Minor amendments to solid waste bylaw
These include allowing residents to order second recycling or organics tote to increase service capacity and create a specific deadline for the program’s launch outside the current once-a-year deadline for tote exchanges. “This will allow households with large amounts of organic material or recyclables the opportunity to have an increase in service, without financially impacting those who do not want the increased service level.”
The district also plans to reduce the target diversion rate for mobile home deconstruction. The proposed amendment would also clarify the District’s ability to discontinue or suspend curbside collection for households that do not comply with wildlife attractant management requirements and waste contamination. The revised bylaw will also clarify that occupiers of unserviced properties are required to sort their waste, not just the owner. It will also add a Bylaw Enforcement Officer and a Licence And Property Use Inspector to the list of authorities that may enter a property.
The proposed changes are part of the District’s broader environmental goals outlined in the 2022 Zero Waste Action Plan and the Community Climate Action Plan, which emphasize waste reduction and diversion strategies to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and preserve landfill capacity.
