Environment and Climate Protection Committee
Minutes 17
Tuesday, 17 October 2017
9:40 a.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue
Notes: 1. Underlining
indicates a new or amended recommendation approved by Committee.
2. Except where otherwise indicated,
reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on 25
October 2017 Environment and Climate Protection Committee Report 16.
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Present:
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Chair:
Councillor D. Chernushenko
Vice Chair: Councillor R. Chiarelli
Councillors: R. Brockington, J. Cloutier, J. Leiper,
C. McKenney, J. Mitic, S. Moffatt, M. Qaqish
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Absent:
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Councillor
M. Taylor
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ANNOUNCEMENTS/CEREMONIAL
ACTIVITIES
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At the outset, Chair Chernushenko
announced that the week of October 16th to 22nd was
“Waste Reduction Week” in Ottawa, and he read out the following proclamation on
behalf of Mayor Watson:
WHEREAS, the needless waste of energy, resources, water and the generation
of solid waste, pollution and greenhouse gases are recognized as pressing
global environmental problems; and
WHEREAS, municipal governments have an important role to play in providing
leadership, and in actively promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling,
composting and other conservation measures; and
WHEREAS, Ottawa City Council has endeavored to take the lead in
moving our community towards increased environmental sustainability; and
WHEREAS, individuals, communities, businesses, organizations and governments
across Canada have committed to working together to raise awareness of these
issues during Waste Reduction Week in Canada;
THEREFORE, I, Jim Watson,
Mayor of the City of Ottawa do hereby proclaim October 16th to 22nd,
2017 Waste Reduction Week in Ottawa.
A copy of the
Chair’s speaking notes is held on file with the City Clerk.
In keeping with Waste Reduction Week, Chair Chernushenko also noted that 2017
marked the 20th anniversary of the City of Ottawa’s “Take it Back!”
program, which helps residents dispose of household items not suited for either
the waste or recycling streams by having retailers take such items back for
safe disposal. The Chair noted that Guilbault Automotive has been
participating in the “Take it Back!” program since 1997, and he presented its
proprietor, Mr. Colin Guilbault, with a Certificate of Recognition to honour
Mr. Guilbault’s longstanding efforts.
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No
Declarations of Interest were filed.
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Minutes
16, of the Environment and Climate Protection Committee meeting of Tuesday,
19 September 2017, were confirmed.
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MOTION NO ECPC
17/01
Moved by Councillor R. Chiarelli:
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WHEREAS there has not been recent opportunity
for staff to provide Committee with a report to serve as an update on how the
City of Ottawa deals with the issue of municipal waste, and;
WHEREAS it may be prudent to receive a public
update with respect to the timely issue of ongoing developments in waste
reduction and diversion;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Environment
and Climate Protection Committee waive section 83. (4) (a) of the Procedure
By-law to receive a presentation from staff with respect to Recent
Developments In Waste Reduction And Diversion, and further approve that the presentation and its
accompanying documentation be considered to have met the requirement for
staff to provide a written report on this matter.
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CARRIED
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Mr. Kevin Wylie, General Manager, Public
Works and Environmental Services Department (PWESD), spoke to a brief
PowerPoint slide presentation to highlight how the City is addressing recent
developments in waste reduction and diversion.
The presentation focused on:
·
New approaches to waste management as a result of the Province’s
adoption of Bill 151 (the Waste-Free Ontario Act);
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The status of the City’s current waste planning activities;
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Waste diversion, promotion and education;
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On-going waste management activities at the Trail Road Waste
Facility, and;
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Next steps.
A copy of the above presentation is held
on file with the City Clerk.
Ms. Marilyn Journeaux, Director, Solid
Waste Services, PWESD, and Ms.
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Director, Public Information and Media Relations, Service
Innovation and Performance Department, were also present to respond
to questions.
The Committee then heard from Mr. Duncan
Bury*, Waste Watch Ottawa (WWO), who spoke to a PowerPoint slide presentation responding
to Staff’s assessment of a WWO report critical of the City’s waste diversion
efforts.
[ * Individuals / groups marked with an asterisk above either
provided comments in writing or by e-mail; all submissions are held on file
with the City Clerk. ]
Committee discussions
touched upon: the points raised both in the presentation and by the delegation;
the need to find ways to increase public participation in the City’s various
recycling programs (especially for high-rise and multi-residential); the need
to establish a communications strategy to increase awareness, to educate, and
to encourage greater participation, and; the need to work proactively so as to
be able to exend the life of the existing Trail Road landfill. There being no
further discussion, the Committee “Received” the presentation as presented, and
provided the following Direction to Staff, which will see staff report back on
this matter in 2018.
DIRECTION TO STAFF:
That Environmental
Services staff:
1. Report back, as
scheduled (Q1, 2018) on the reasons for public reluctance / low interest / low
participation in the City’s Recycling Programs (Blue Box, Black Box and Green
Bin) along with methods of addressing same.
2. Report back (per
the above) with suggestions to improve public participation in the City’s Green
Bin organic waste program, and that staff’s assessment include the reasons for
the original refusal to allow the use of biodegradable plastic bags.
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PUBLIC WORKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
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TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND ENGINEERING
SUPPORT SERVICES
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REPORT RECOMMENDATION:
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That the Environment and Climate Protection
Committee recommend that Council receive this report for information.
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RECEIVED and
CARRIED
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INFORMATION
PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED
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INQUIRIES
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ECPC 04-17:
COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLES IN CITY PARKS / CITY FESTIVALS
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COUNCILLOR
R. BROCKINGTON
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How can the City significantly increase the collection of recyclables
in City Parks?
How can the City work with Festivals and Special Event organizers to
ensure recycling facilities are available on-site and that packaging used for
food is environmentally-friendly (i.e., not styrofoam)?
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ADJOURNMENT
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The
meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
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signed
by
C. Zwierzchowski Councillor
D. Chernushenko
_____________________________ _____________________________
Committee Coordinator Chair