sound check. Okay. Hello and welcome everyone. Uh, today is Tuesday, June 16th, and this is the 25th meeting of the Environment and Climate Change Committee. On behalf of Ottawa City Council, I wish to acknowledge that Ottawa is built on unseated, unsurrendered Inishnab Alangquin territory. The city of Ottawa honors the peoples and land of the Inishnab Alangquan nation and honors all First Nations, Inuit, and Matei people and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. I will ask the committee coordinator to do a roll call of all members. >> Councelor Lulaf. >> Good still morning. >> Councelor Hill, >> present. >> Councelor Curry, >> here. >> Councelor Kavanaaugh >> present. Canceler Johnson. Councelor Javine >> here. >> Canceler Tierney. Councelor King >> here. >> Councelor Brown. Councelor Low. Vice Chair Carr >> here. >> Chair Manard >> here. >> You have quum. Chair. >> Thank you very much. Are there any declarations of interest? Okay. Seeing none, confirmation of minutes. Are the minutes from Tuesday, May 19th, meeting of the Environment and Climate Change Committee confirmed? >> Thank you very much. All right. Um, the first item up is the solid waste master plan update and we have a presentation uh from Shelley McDonald and her McDonald and her excellent team uh on this. So, um, we will go there in in one minute. I think we're just going through the agenda here. We're actually we're just gonna stick with that. So, we'll go right to you to start. Thanks very much. >> Good morning. I'm pleased to be joined by Rachel Jones, program manager of the long-term plan team to provide our annual solid waste master plan update. Next slide, please. As part of our commitment through the approval of the solid waste master plan, we're providing an annual update on the initiatives underway. So before you today is a report recommendation that the environment and climate change committee recommend council receive this report for information. Next slide please. This update reflects year 2 implementation of the solidways master plan so far in 2026 and overall work is continuing as planned across all areas. Implementation is working because residents are participating. We're seeing strong participation and compliance from residents, particularly with the three item garbage limit and our diversion programs. These behaviors are translating into real results, including reduced garbage at the curb and increased use of our diversion programs. At the same time, the city is not only delivering programs today, but we're also actively planning ahead, including organics processing, landfill gas, and future waste technologies, as well as programs and actions to support behavioral changes. I'm going to pass it over to Rachel, who will get into the specifics with you. Okay. Thank you, Shel, and good morning, counselors. Um, so ongoing performance measurements. Um, sorry, next slide, please. Thank you. Our ongoing performance measurement for the waste plan remains very important as it does allow us to track progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure that programs continue to deliver meaningful datadriven outcomes. Results to date show trends continuing to move in the right direction. We're seeing a decline in garbage tonnage down approximately 11% between 2023 and 2025. And a recent setout study showed that of the curbside uh sample homes observed, compliance with the three item garbage limit was over 98% while 73% set out a green bin at the curbside. These results are being partly driven by resident participation and behavior change across the system. Progress is also being made in um multi-residentidential buildings with more than 75% of buildings the city services now having access to organics diversion. Overall this demonstrates the policy combined with participation is translating into measurable reductions in waste. Next slide please. So following the October report, year 2 maintained a strong focus on reduction and reuse, supporting community-led initiatives and continuing engagement to identify gaps where we can support. Importantly, the strong community participation signals growing momentum and engagement. Support for repair cafes continued. Drop and swap events were expanded. The citywide giveaway weekend was introduced. And new initiatives such as repair fairs were successfully launched. These initiatives have collectively engaged hundreds of residents, diverted several tons of materials, and achieved consistently high repair rates. Next slide, please. So over the coming months, we will be introducing several new initiatives to build on this work. Textiles and bulky waste campaigns are coming shortly, and they'll provide guidance on repair, donation, and reuse to keep these items out of the landfill. Food waste reduction workshops over the next 12 months will offer practical sessions to help uh residents reduce food waste, preserve food, and also build community skills. A new reuse directory coming later this year will act as a simple one-stop resource to find local repair, donation, and reuse options. And an event during circular economy month will showcase various programs at one venue, making it easy for residents to explore and get involved. Next slide, please. Okay. Um, now moving to diversion programs. Diversion from residential homes remains a key priority supported by the continued three item garbage limit and the multi-residentidential diversion strategy. Furthermore, we're also continuing to support expanding diversion beyond the home through the roll out of three stream bins in parks and public spaces with more than 100 parks now equipped. In addition, household hazardous waste programs remain an important part of the system with approximately 17,500 residents participating in 2025 along with new walk up events this year to improve accessibility. Looking ahead, staff will soon begin implementing new diversion opportunities at city facilities along with enhanced signage to help reduce contamination. Staff have also begun identifying waste diversion improvements for special events in the city and will be working to roll out various various initiatives again in the next few months. In addition, we're actively moving forward with piloting new approaches and initiatives in multi-residential buildings to improve access and to keep in increasing diversion rates in those buildings. Next slide, please. So building a zerowaste culture continues to be a critical part of the waste plan as long-term success depends on sustained behavior change across the community. Expanded targeted promotion and education remains essential to rolling out new programs while ongoing engagement with residents and stakeholders has continued to help inform and shape the work. In addition, green bin market research um is currently being completed, offering a representative snapshot of current attitudes and behaviors to support evidence-based planning and inform future initiatives. In terms of what's coming next, a behavior change management strategy is under development and will be completed by fall, which will provide practical evidence-based tools to influence waste behaviors and improve participation in both reduction and diversion programs. And based on this work, our large-scale green bin campaign will be launched later this year to support behavior change across the city. And finally, in parallel, early work is underway on a circular economy strategy with further development and reporting to come in the next report to committee. And I'll now pass it back to Shelley to go through some next steps. Next slide, please. Thank you, Rachel. So, work is still underway on maximizing the recovery of waste and energy and the optimal manage of remaining residuals continue. We're proceeding with the uh RFP for the short-term contract to continue our organics processing. We're bringing forward landfill gas options uh early in next term of council. And in addition, this the team are continuing to work on the waste management technologies feasibility study and again planning to bring that information forward early in 2027. I'm really excited to see the opportunities and supports that will come from the behavior change management study so that we can support our residents to divert more organics in particular from landfill as well as use other diversion options. And finally, we will have more diversion events planned as Rachel went over in 2026 and we look forward to communicating them out to keep that diversion mindset going. And with that, we'll take your questions. Thank you very much to to staff not just for this presentation but uh for the massive amount of work this term on solid waste. It has been um incredible how much you've you've done the reports that have come forward and the amount of committee engagement and public engagement. So thanks to committee members too for all the work to uh get Ottawa in a better place when it comes to to solid waste. Really appreciate your your efforts. So we have two delegates uh today and then we'll go to questions uh for staff. So, first is uh William Vanist, the executive director of Ecology Ottawa. William's here in person with us. You've got five minutes to address the committee. Welcome. Just one over. There you go. Yeah. Perfect. Great. It looks like my mic is on. Perfect. Thanks very much, chair, and thank you, committee. Um I appreciate the opportunity to um address you. So to begin with, we want to applaud council uh simply for this report uh for requiring annual progress updates on our solid waste master plans implementation. Um as you well appreciate properly uh properly managing our waste economy is a critical municipal function and the public should have regular progress updates like this. So great. Um, we also want to applaud staff for its work implementing the solid waste master plan. Uh, this report describes uh, I think a healthy array of initiatives underway to foster a zerowaste culture and develop a circular economy. Our solid waste master plan is quite good, we think, and we're beginning to see its fruits. It's particularly encouraging to see the city's emphasis on supporting community efforts. The heart of fostering a zero waste culture is, of course, the community. uh it's here where people will decide an item has potential for reuse by someone else or even that they decide that they don't need it at all in the first place. More than that, building a circular economy and particularly a sharing economy fosters social connections that enrich our city and even strengthen community resilience. And the city's investment in the community extends even to spending time soliciting ideas. So last week uh we participated in a reuse roundt where about 20 other community uh groups discussed ways to stimulate Ottawa's reuse economy. The round table made clear first that Ottawa community groups and individuals are already doing exemplary work in material reuse, but second that there's significant potential for much more of the same work. So, we're here as we have been at past meetings about the S SWMP above all to support community work to applaud these investments in community-led waste diversion and call for more. Uh, as you know, we've been calling for such investments for years now. Uh and so it was gratifying to see that the most recent such in investment, the new waist stream of the city's community uh community environmental projects grant program fondly known as SEPJEP was met with such uh strong community enthusiasm. As the report states, fully half of the applications for the SEPJEP funding this year were for this new waist stream. And this despite a very short timeline between the program's announcement and the application deadline. This only adds to the evidence that Ottawans are eager to divert waste and supports our calls to improve funding for community work, namely to increase available funding to at least 500,000 per year, to make the funding multi-year, and to allow staff salaries, operations, and insurance as eligible expenses. And we hope that when the program comes up uh for review early next year, that council will recognize this community enthusiasm and increase investments. On this note, we recommend that staff present more data as to the impact of these diversion efforts. How do these efforts relate to what goes to Trail Road? For example, as we offer mending circles, is there a corresponding decrease in textiles reaching trail as we improve bulky items diversion? Are there uh fewer fewer items set out at the curb? And what are the corresponding cost savings associated with this reduction of items sent to trail and the corresponding emissions reductions? This isn't to say that we shouldn't undertake diversion efforts unless there's an immediate observable effect. And we acknowledge uh that collecting these data is complicated, but it would help show why diversion efforts are so important. And so it's encouraging to see in the report uh that GHG impacts will be quantified with future annual reporting. Such a costbenefit analysis is particularly important in light of the costs associated with end-of-line waste management approaches. So, it's sobering to see in the report that the city uh continues to explore what it calls waste energy, but uh in fact is burning our trash. With all the associated environmental, health, and financial risks, it's hard to imagine, for example, the uh $862 million it could cost to construct an incinerator, or the 47 million uh annually to run it, that that couldn't instead be invested in developing a circular economy in Ottawa that would lead the nation, if not the continent. On the topic of data, it was helpful to see the results of the recent setout study. Uh, this study shows what we already knew, that restricting, no matter how gently, how much trash people can put out encourages them to reduce this amount, which in turn will help prolong the trail landfill's life, reduce emissions, and so on. Council must return to the question of further restrictions on curbside trash put out as soon as possible and have the courage to do what dozens of municipalities across Ontario already do by imposing bolder restrictions on how much uh can go in the garbage. We look forward to seeing further fruits borne from the solid waste master plan's implementation and again urge deeper investments in the good work that our communities are already doing and could do further. Thank you. >> Thank you very much for that perfect timing uh with those that five minutes. Appreciate uh your dele delegation very much. Is there are there any questions for the delegate at this time? >> Okay. Thanks for for being here and speaking uh for College Ottawa. The next uh delegate is Angela Keller Herszog with Cafes. All righty. Hello again. Um, this time on solid waste and also I'm very happy to echo um all the things that my good colleague William at Ecology Ottawa said. Um, next slide please. and and I'll try to restrain myself from duplicating too much. Um, next slide, please. That's the present. Ah, yes, the cafe's position. So, um, we I guess I I do want to duplicate some of the praise. Um, we really do appreciate um this progress update and um that we actually are getting reporting 6 months after the last report because of the election. and we really appreciate that that you did make that effort and didn't you just skip it and come back in like February 2027. Um and um so we just have some constructive input that um hopefully you'll take in the constructive spirit intended. Um next slide please. Um okay that's the overview. Let's get on with it. Next slide. Um so in terms of the positive progress that this update report um has reported we are evidence-based as an organization as is the solid waste team. So we are really really happy to see these good results of the work. Next slide please. And again I guess echoing William um we do have a real appreciation for this really increasing spirit of community collaboration that that we are seeing and we too were at the excellent community reuse reduce roundt um last week and uh really appreciate the friendliness and open-mindedness and engagement. Um that was great. Next slide please. So in terms of some concerns maybe um we would like to see the greenhouse gas quantification numbers and to get a better sense from solid waste team where the greenhouse gases are coming from. Um this is um overdue now. Next slide please. We think that the circular economy strategy does need a bit more of a timeline and milestones. Um we don't seem to be progressing on that. we're still at a scanning and baselining stage where other cities have actually um advanced u much faster than Ottawa. So, um we'd like to also see meaningful public and stakeholder engagement on that. That's a really important one. Next slide, please. Um our third concern is that this producer responsibility um that the province in in this shift um has um set up is is really already eroding some more. And um the city report made that clear on the hazardous waste where the city is now quietly subsidizing producer obligations with property tax dollars. and we would very much support um the city to advocate to the province to keep efforts up rather than um flagging and cafes very much also supports councelor Carr's motion um for calling Ontario to expand the deposit return program to non-alcoholic um uh containers. Next slide please. One issue that we would like to have um staff very clearly present to um counselors and the public is the actual clear picture of the trail road end of life date. Um the staff report presents the 9.3 years remaining based on old data and not taking into account the new measures. So the conservative estimate with the new measures that are now underway extends to 2040 and then it's our understanding that the environmental assessment for the expansion cell is well underway and that would get us to 2055 which means then there is no urgency for investing in a very expensive incinerator. Next slide please. Um so in terms of no urgency for incineration, we understand that um the technical work is looking at site planning already for different technologies and we would request that there should be public engagement on these waste technologies well before any procurement or site selection. Incinerators, yes, even modern incinerators give off furins and dioxins which cause cancer. Last slide please. So the recommendations of cafes is then to direct staff to include greenhouse gas quantification in the next update. Um to have a timeline with milestones for the circular economy strategy work so we can get some systems change. And um lastly to direct staff to really present the full trail road capacity picture um so that we don't have a false sense of urgency. Thank you. >> Thank you uh very much um Angela for that presentation. Again, you write on the the five minutes and appreciate that. I'll just see if um counselors have questions at this time. I'm not seeing any, but I want to thank you for the engagement uh this term by council on this file. Uh it's been really helpful to have uh your voice here representing uh community associations uh that deal with environmental sustainability. So, thank you for for being here once again. Okay. Oh, councelor Hill, did you on the report? Okay. Um, thank you very much. All right, we're moving questions uh of staff so you can get on the board. Councelor Hill. >> Uh, thank you very much staff for the report. Uh, thanks for the update. Thanks for the progress. Um, could you speak to the impacts of the reduced curbside u waste policy as it pertains to illegal dumping concerns in the community? I know there were anticipation of this. Um, has that actuality met, exceeded or been less than your expectations? and what are we doing in order to mitigate that >> through you chair. Thank you for the question. Uh so the the industry research in preparing for the curbside diversion limit policy indicated that other jurisdictions with an implementation of an item limit did experience illegal dumping. So going into the policy change, we basically worked closely with our colleagues in bylaw uh as well as staffing up within solid waste uh for our parks and worked with 311 in order to make sure that there would be a good communication mechanism. So residents um have taken to using the online reporting form to report illegal dumping. Great. Because awareness then allows us to action. And so through that staff in bylaw, staff in solid wakes uh parks as well as colleagues in in in road services would go and and collect that. So we did see an uptick as expected. Um we have been able to um with in in the cases of going uh in in parks, opening up bags and being able to see uh notification or identifiers. our inspectors have been able to to go back and uh talk with the residents about basically how they should be uh disposing of their waste in an appropriate way. Um so we feel that there has been an uptick as expected and we're proactively monitoring our parks and acting upon any calls that come in um through either bylaw, road services or solid waste to to deal with the the illegal dumping that uh has existed in our community. And do we have an appreciation for just how much effort or cost or manpower this takes? Like is it a significant amount of you know you've diverted uh 30 30 people to go and do this where they otherwise could be you know cutting baseball field uh diamonds that kind of stuff or is it like can you quantify to a degree how much of a cost that this is having on city operations in other areas or as a budget line item? >> So thank you for the question. Um there have been additional FTEES that have been temporarily uh secured in order to undertake that work. To the best of my knowledge, they're undertaking that work when comes or they're dealing with other calls or inquiries that come in. Um it it wouldn't be staff that normally would be cutting the the grass that would be addressing uh these types of issues. Uh so based on conversations with my colleagues, we have the appropriate level set for resources at this time. uh but it is something that we're monitoring and if there is a need for us to be making adjustments uh we can bring that forward at the the next budget cycle. >> And I do uh have to say that the uh odor situation from the landfill has gotten noticeably better over the last couple of years. So a sincere appreciation on behalf of the community. Could you speak to the measures that you're taking in order to ensure that the odor control from the trail landfill is being maintained such that we won't have any significant spikes uh like we did uh two summers ago. >> Thank you for the question. So, um, as part of the annual budget cycle, we do have a an ongoing light item when it comes to expansion of the the wellfield in order to to capture the gas so that we're able to to process it through our Concore facility. Um, we do uh routine uh drive um the site in order to to make sure that we're we're not observing any odors. We do have a a dedicated um uh inquiry that if residents do experience it, they can go through 311 to report. Um and so we continue making those capital investments as well as those operational uh activities in order to ensure we're being a good neighbor. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you very much, counselor. Good questions. Uh councelor King. Uh thank you chair and I want to uh thank staff for the uh uh very indepth update. Uh the report notes that uh GHG impacts will be quantified in future annual reporting. I'm just wondering if staff can provide a specific timeline for when a GHG accounting framework uh for the solid waste master plan actions will be in place and which actions are expected to have the largest emissions reduce reduction impacts? through you chair. Thank you for the question. Um so we have committed to bringing back the GHG emissions reductions and reporting in our next annual report. Um and they will be in each annual report moving forward. Um so in terms of the diversion and reduction actions that will have the biggest impact um when we were developing the waste plan we did some highle estimates in terms of which actions would have the most impact um the first being those actions at curbside such as the three item limit um secondly the multi-residential waste diversion strategy um followed by city facilities diversion and also parks and public spaces waste diversion. So those four of the diversion reduction actions um are set to have the biggest impact. >> I appreciate that. Um I also appreciate the fact that uh we're entertaining a circular uh economy strategy. I think that's very important and I would acknowledge based on this report that obviously it's still in its early phase, its early days. Uh, but I'm just wondering if staff can describe what they envision a completed strategy would look like in practice. Uh, will it include binding policy commitments, targets, and metrics or will it be primarily an enabling framework chair? Thank you for the question. Um, so yes, there's a lot of uh pre-work involved um before developing a circular economy strategy. Um so we have been doing um obviously the research right now the baselining um etc. Um in terms of what that strategy will look like um when we've looked at other municipalities road maps they have all been quite different. Um so one of the first phases of developing a strategy is to do what they call a material flow analysis which is part of the baselining um system. Um so that will ultimately then help us determine how that strategy may look. Um so for example what that baselining will do is determine the types of sectors that we might want to focus on. Um for example a lot of road maps will focus on construction demolition waste for example. Um so it really is going to be that first phase that will then help us determine ultimately what the strategy may look like in the art context. I appreciate that and um you know I hear from residents all the time about the need to uh change uh the the approach to ensure that we uh maximize reuse uh that we examine um how we're dealing with uh construction materials as well. Um, I think what I hear from residents is that they want uh a policy that would ultimately drive meaningful change, meaningful policy change and isn't just focused uh primarily as being a communication tool. Uh so I do hope that uh the circular economy strategy uh does uh balance both because I think that we do need to communicate to our residents uh the need to reuse materials. But I think that there needs to be active participation uh obviously uh by the city uh in the process. Thank you chair. >> Thanks very much uh councelor King. Appreciate that. Councelor Kavanagh. >> Yeah thank you chair and uh thank you very much to the entire team on all the work of making progress. Um I I think there was a lot of doubt that there would you know not be more dumping. We still do get reports of dumping and it's usually related to parks um and I'm not sure how it's identified but um I just want to make sure that that is captured um because it's not just on the side of the road but actually in parks. So how is that captured? >> Thank you for the question. So in reporting illegal dumping if it is in a park space those calls come directly to my team for their investigation. And when we do have hot spots, so some parks that tend to um draw uh more of that than others, um that that's part of our more proactive um uh inspections that take place in advance of or in between uh times of collection. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I have to say the the three stream BIMs are a huge hit and um and and I know it took a while to get them all implemented, but I'm getting excellent feedback. So, thank you for those and I can't wait to see it expanded. Um, and also I want to give a shout out to the repair cafes. There were lineups. There were lineups to get in and so obviously we need more of them and I just want to know what the plans are. or are they going to be more on a regular basis? >> You chair. Thank you for the question. Um yes indeed the repair cafes and our drop and swap events have all been extremely popular um over the last um well repair fairs over the last couple of years. Um so yes, we do fully intend to continue with reduction um workshops, initiatives, events. Um what that looks like um in 2027 is something that staff are working on now in terms of how many repair cafes um how many new initiatives will be implementing, what kinds of initiatives do we need to fill in any more gaps that we're seeing out there. Um hence uh and as it's been mentioned a couple of times, the engagement um with the public and stakeholders that's commencing right now, which will actually help inform the decision- making in terms of what we do moving forward. But yes, absolutely those events um types of events will continue. >> Excellent. And um also the um the free weekends, what do you call it? Um yeah, for u just leaving your stuff at the curb. That that's a big hit as well, especially after garage sales. Um there it's a good combination. So um I hope we'll continue to do that. Maybe have a always a regular date or or something so that people can uh know. Uh it helps when you have the regularity of uh certain dates that people can count on. So I appreciate it. Um I have a question about um producer responsibility. We're seeing the blue bins and we're putting more things in them that we didn't before, but I can't help but wonder, do we know if those things are actually getting recycled? What is happening? Do we get any feedback on on how they're dealing with it? Um, I remember when I first got elected and the tours I had of our facilities and how we handled green bin material, but I don't know what's going on with this and I'd feel better to know that things are actually um being recycled. >> Thank you for the question. So, we are in the first full year that the entire province is under the this new regime. And so let's take that that away in order for us to understand how the reporting will take place, what frequency and and what metrics will be reported. There are responsibilities with the producers to to be identifying what they are collecting compared to what they're putting into the system. Um but to your point, it would be beneficial for us to to understand. So then that way we can we can help support uh residents when they come to us with questions so that we can encourage them and they feel good about putting the materials in the the blue or black bins. Absolutely. That would be very helpful. Thank you. >> Thanks very much, Councelor Kavanagh. Councelor Johnson. >> Thank you. So, just a couple quick questions in terms of of the resident experience. So, in reading the report, uh compliance on item set out has been increasing. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's correct. Uh so and and how about compliance at um shared paths? How's that project going? >> Thank you for the question. Um so those are being looked at um through when we're doing the Greenbank campaign towards the end of this year. Um we're going to be doing kind of pre and post studies to see um what the setout looks like at curbside properties um including some common pads. Um so we'll be doing pre and post kind of audits. Um but that green campaign will also focus on those common pads. Um so the campaign is intended to be very large scale um across all sectors and across all types of housing. So you'll see some real like targeted um information to those properties. >> Um so just with the um the construction waste, you know, we've we have some folks who have uh you know, put out a couple pieces of plywood that has not been picked up. And their question has been, well, why can you put out a couch as one of your items, but you can't put out a couple pieces of material that is like substantially smaller than a bulky uh but fits this category of of construction material? Can you help me to understand how I answer that question? >> Thank you for the question. So, it has been part of our our bylaw for quite some time that these types of materials um have not been accepted. And when we introduced the three item limit, we basically indicated or we acknowledged at that time that we had spent a number of years not fully complying with our bylaws. Um so at at this point we are complying with with our bylaws and as a result um based on the materials that are listed uh construction waste is is something that's prohibitive and and that's the instruction that have been given to the collectors. So let's say we were to play with that a little bit and you know go back to the bylaw for which we were never compliant. Um, what would it look like to uh have a collector use their subjective judgment on things like construction materials? Cuz my my vibe is that, you know, it's very clear based on the material versus the volume or the weight or things like that. Um, is is that part of why we we got sort of more stringent here? um because of the sort of magnitude for which construction materials can start going out and how much they weigh for the people that are picking it up or something like that. In some cases, yes, you're correct. So, some of those materials uh we do have a a weight limit um for for the materials for the safety of our our collectors and and operators. Um yes. My my question was rambling, so I will take yes as a very wholesome answer to the question. Um, but I'll continue to sort of noodle that because it's one of those things that kind of digs at me when I answer that. I don't feel like I've got the best answer for residents. Um, similar to the blessed yard waste labeling, how's that going? And can you help us to understand as counselors um how people get a yellow tag for their yard waste and when they don't and how it needs to be properly labeled and what kinds of bins they can use? Okay, so right now great question. Um certainly I I think the with the new curbside contract um as you remember we're looking to separate the leaf and yard materials from the green bin that allows us to take that material to Barnesdale and and compost it at a a much reduced rate uh and then generate top soil. So a perfect example of circular economy in action at the city of Ottawa. Um there may be instances where the the the bins are or the containers uh may be made of materials that are not conducive if they're basically come into the uh come to the back of the truck. Like I'm thinking plastic bags for example. We don't want plastics uh to be to be mingled. Um, so I'd like to maybe I'll take this with you offline in order to understand some of the inquiries that you're receiving and some of the instances where tags have been applied uh in order to ensure that if we do need to provide a different direction to the collectors, we do so or uh supply uh counselors with uh updated uh messaging in order to to help residents um navigate uh this change. >> Okay, very good. Um, so thanks for the answers to those very specific questions and continue to the good work. I'm looking forward to the textile recycling. Do you have a before I get off actually, do you have like a target for when that's coming? I have a five drawer um chest of drawers in my house and the fifth drawer is just textiles and I'm wondering when I'm going to be able to empty that drawer. >> Yeah, thank you for the question. Um so with the textiles like diversion um we are concentrating top level of the uh waste hierarchy first. So the reduction reuse piece. Um we did also commit to making sure that we are utilizing what is already out there in the community. Um and ensuring residents know about those options. Um so our first step is a textiles education campaign that's coming within the next couple of months. Um and that will actually help direct people to um where they can drop off their textiles for reuse, recycling, etc. Um also textiles will be a big piece of the reuse directory as well that we mentioned in the report, that kind of one-stop shop that people can go to to work out where to take items for reuse and recycling. So textiles will be included in there. >> Thank you very much. Great questions, Councelor Johnson. And just on the green bin piece with the leaf and yard waste, we had a period of time where you couldn't put it in the green bin and then we moved to say no you can put it in the green. We got up to that tonnage based on the contract and now with the contract renewal of course now you cannot put leaf and yard waste in the green back to the old days like it was before but you can put it into any paper bag uh purchased or or if you have an extra paper bag. What where what else can you put the leaf and yard waste in? Just to be clear for residents that used to put it in their green bin, let's say, and now are are switching over to the many still use the paper bags, obviously, but is there anything else they can use to put that Leafyard ward wast in? >> So, we've noticed residents using uh an an old garbage can that has a a lid that uh isn't attached uh as long as it uh doesn't exceed the weight. So, basically, if it's a compliant garbage bin um labeled leaf and yard, it's a compliant leaf and yard container. >> Fantastic. So they would just take that, dump it in, return the container, and uh off you go. So you don't ne have to buy the bags, which is which is great. I I used the green bin all the time for leaf and yard waste. So I was bit sad when it came out of there, but now I know there's there's great alternatives. So thank you to staff for that. I have a couple other questions just no one else no one else is on the board. So um on the the cafes had mentioned this and ecology Ottawa had mentioned this too. the lifespan of of trail. Just to be clear, I know we're we're we're using those older metrics and things are being updated as as we see uh less waste being delivered there. Um can you just clarify on on where the lifespan actually is at now with the the changes and the expected lifespan um given given the report uh uses that that other figure that previous figure without the other changes? >> Thank you for the question. So the annual monitoring report is a compliance-based measure that we submit on an annual basis to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. And within that, we report on an annual basis um what the expected life lifespan based on the historic last 5 years of consumption of airspace. So that is the measure and we expect with the the the compliance that we're seeing to date, we expect that things will improve and that's why it's important for us to be reporting back on an annual basis. So then that way we're providing the best information. Um also mentioned in in the uh the cafes presentation is the um we are undergoing uh the EA expansion for trail as approved by committee and council. um in December 2023. Um that is a fairly lengthy process. We're still in the terms of reference stage going back and forth with the ministry in order to to seek approval. Um that is not guaranteed, but we are actively in the process. Um and then the other the other elements with the the diversion activities that that are taking place again reporting back uh and it's important for us to to kind of stay on top of of how well we're doing. And so right now we report based on what the the information in the annual monitoring report and and that's why the caveat is always there. This assumes that moving forward the the consumption of that airspace will be similar to the past. But in 2026 we will be dropping off the 2021 um uh use of or or tenage. Um, so we should start to see things uh shift, but but at this point and that's why we're we're very clear about how we're taking that measure um and uh and always reporting back on an annual basis to make sure that we're we're staying on track. >> Okay, that's an excellent answer and very clear. Thank you so much for uh for explaining that. Um the 75% of the uh multi-unit residential buildings now that are getting that that have the green bin as part of their collection. Um, I know we're we're trying to get on track to get to get to as many as we can. Um, and there's been an increase of 30% of organics collection between 2024 and 2025, an extra 30% which is fantastic. What what do we need to do to get those last buildings online? I know there's there's some that are more difficult um just given the internal dynamics of those buildings, but uh are we are we on track and and how are we feeling about getting those those buildings online? Thank you for the question, Cha. Um, so yes, we are in track in terms of the original timeline with on boarding um, properties onto the green bin program. Um, so we're actually at 79% as well now. So kind of it's bit it's up since the report um went was first written. Um, so yes, we're absolutely on track, but we are noticing that some buildings are struggling to onboard. Um so typically those tend to be infrastructure issues or um where we're seeing some properties are on boarded but residents aren't participating. Quite often that's because of accessibility issues. Um so we've got a good idea now of those um of those constraints and barriers that we're seeing. So as we've been implementing this program, we've been continuing to talk to residents and property managers um so that we understand what barriers are existing at specific buildings. Um so our next step as well as the behavior change pieces is also looking at different pilots that we can use in those buildings. Um so we are going to be undertaking a study in the next few months that looks at different pilots that we can use to help some of those buildings that are a kind of struggling to onboard and b the residents are not necessarily participating as fully as they can. >> Okay, fantastic. And uh great work to get us to that 79% level but great if we can get that further and further towards 100%. Um my last question is just around um I'll just make a comment and then a question but the the walk up household hazardous waste events have been fantastic. I know there's more confirmed for for 2026 just great great uptake. I hope to see those continue into the future. The the one piece of feedback we get when we put that out there is that people want permanent depots and I know this is something you're exploring for the future. Can you just give a little bit more uh clarity on on that? And and I know it's it's part of uh our plan to look at these permanent detos in the future, but people want them because they want to be able to drop off this household hazardous waste when it's convenient for them. So can you just uh give us some more detail? >> Sure. Thank you for the question. So, as part of the the household and special projects uh report, we basically indicated that um um other jurisdictions uh do have these permanent depots and we were wanting uh more time with the evolution of this waste master plan and possibly diversion opportunities. So, the depot could be more than a an HSP depot, but possibly accept bulkies. I think Vice Chair Carr knows well about some of the the depots that uh are in Edmonton, for example, that that uh are are well loved and well used. And so I think the in the interm we're wanting to to stay the course with our uh one-day events and then with the addition of the the micro events in order to provide a bit more flexibility and opportunity for some of our our residents that may not um be able to as easily uh attend those one-day events. Um we'll also mention that there we're really wanting to promote the the take it back. So, these are uh businesses within our communities that basically can take back things like paint, uh some of the the commonly uh used materials that are accepted at at our one-day events. So, really trying to push those um options for for residents as well. But the the biggest piece is to to give a bit more time for the the master plan to evolve to look at the end market opportunities for the reuse of these materials. um what may be available to then come back with a more wholesome plan probably next term of council that uh could see the possibility of a of a permanent depot option. >> That's great to hear. Uh would really advocate for that. I know residents would uh would love that and appreciate all your work and um and the details you've just provided there. Um I'll also just say on the three stream bins, they're very wellreceived. I know we're doing a hundred a year now starting uh next year so that all parks eventually will have three stream or the green bin uh directly there. So really appreciate that. It's a it's a it's a nice innovation for for the city of Ottawa. So um with that uh can we uh receive the report for information? >> Thank you very very much. Appreciate all your work. Okay, we are moving on. Uh we don't have much left here. Uh there are no in camera items. Um there is an IPD uh there um on delegated authority. I don't think anyone wanted that held. Not seeing anyone. And then there's a motion in which notice has been periodly given by councelor Carr on expanding Ontario's deposit return program. Councelor Vice, excuse me, Vice Chair Carr, over to you. >> Yeah, thanks very much. Um hopefully I don't have to go into too much detail on what this is about. Ontario is one of only two provinces that doesn't currently have a deposit return system for containers such as water bottles, pop cans, juice boxes. Um, and what happens when we don't have such a program is that leads to, you know, littering in our streets and parks. Anyone that's ever done a uh clean up the capital, volunteered with their neighbors, that's a huge bulk of what we pick up. So, a system such as this would uh help incentivize uh returns and um hopefully eliminate some of it that's going into the garbage uh every day. And when we do these massive uh clean up the capital, uh other provinces that have this in place have seen a 75% recovery rate on these items, their systems in British Columbia and Alberta, Nova Scotia, for example. So this is under provincial control obviously but this is just simply asking for some advocacy to the province that they consider implementing such a system. Thank you for your support in advance. >> Okay. Any comments or question councelor councelor Johnson? >> Yeah thank you. So um thank you to uh councelor Carr for bringing forward a motion to discuss this. I was just hoping to understand, you know, although this this motion focuses on the non-alcoholic beverages, um whether staff could comment on uh whether we're seeing any any similar uh issues with alcoholic containers given that so many beer stores are closing and residents are not really sure where to take that stuff anymore either. Um, so I you know whether or not there could be an alternative to the beer stores uh for these types of returns. Uh has the province considered something like that or where where are people left? >> Thank you for the question. So, the only thing that I can offer at this point is that Circular Materials has allowed um Ottawa residents, should they wish, to place their their beer and and wine uh the alcoholic empties in their blue bin. Um that that is not though a a long-term or sustainable solution, but that's at least something right now that can be offered for for residents as uh the province shifts on on how they're going to to deal with uh the the uh return system for alcoholic beverages. Um would the mover consider a friendly amendment to add a clause to advocate to the province to find an alternative for alcoholic beverages as well? Yeah, I have no objection to that provided it's parsed out a little bit differently uh because we do already have a system in place. But absolutely with the closure of the beer stores particularly, this has led to um lack of options for people to return. Yeah, I'm happy to do that. >> Okay. Um well, maybe >> I'm not sure if that's a friendly amendment because I'm probably the worst one for process around here, but >> Well, I'd have to write it. >> Yeah. >> So, we'll just get some language written up. Um and or you could do it at council uh as well, but it it sounds like it's it's friendly. Um so if you want to do it at council. Yeah, >> sure. In the interest of time, I'm happy to do that at council. Okay. >> Thanks. Thanks, counselor. >> Fantastic. And yeah, great point, Councelor Johnson. Um okay, any other questions or or comments on Vice Chair Carr's motion? >> Okay, is that carried? >> Okay, thank you so much. Are there are there any other notices of motion? No. Okay. I'm not seeing any any inquiries or any other business. Oh, yes, there is an inquiry. My apologies. Uh councelor Low, I believe you have an you're online with us. An inquiry. I am. Yes. Uh thanks very much, Chair. Um a little uh it was quite relevant to one of the items we were discussing. Uh from time to time, households engage in minor works such as replacing a door frame, building shelving, repairing small sections of drywall, and more. Uh it produces small amounts of construction and renovation waste and material, a few pieces of scrap wood here, square meter of drywall there. Under the current rules, uh that would not be accepted at the curbside, and residents are responsible for bringing it to a landfill such as Trail, which charges a tipping fee. In Trail's case, uh the flat rate for any amount of construction rental waste under 250 kg is $43.20. 20 cents. It's likely the other two landfills in this city also charge a tipping fee. Unfortunately, this has contributed to illegal dumping, including at least three cases I've dealt with over the last three last year where a resident found a bag of construction rental waste on their lawn on collection day. Without proof, solid waste service staff uh were unable to help and the resident was stuck with the responsibility of that waste. Although many municipalities in Ontario require residents to bring construction rena waste to a landfill or transfer station, the town of Carlton Place is a local example that allows for a small amount at the curb, the equivalent of an 80 L bag or up to 15 kg. Can staff provide the following information to the can staff provide information to the following? One, is there any legislation that prohibits the city from accepting construction rental waste at the curb? Two, other than Carlton Place, are there any other municipalities in Ontario that accept construction rental waste at the curb? Please provide details. And three, what are the options and implications for the city of Ottawa to accept small amounts of construction rena waste at the curb? Thanks. >> Thank you very much for that, councelor Low. Any other inquiries? >> Okay, I'm not seeing any. Um so we are adjourned and um it's expected uh the next environment and climate change committee would be uh at some point in uh the fall winter uh in the next term of council uh in all likelihood um just given things happening in the fall. So thank you very very much for all your contributions this term. It's been a pleasure working with you for the last four years and have a great day. Thank you.