Dave Douglas, VisionQuest Environmental - Compost Council of ...

Prepared for the Composting Council of Canada AGMSeptember 22 – 24 th , 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario CanadaPresented by Dave Douglas

RESIDENTIAL WASTEBREAKING IT DOWNTOTAL WASTERESIDENTIAL100%REFUSE30%"WET"RECYCLABLESKITCHEN 20%YARD 20%"DRY"RECYCLABLES30%

Why focus on Kitchen Organics• Kitchen organics represent approximately 20% ofthe residential municipal solid waste stream;• Approximately 3 million Canadian hhlds (SFD’s)have access to a source separated organics (SSO)collection / processing program for kitchen organicsand they use compostable bags;• Growth exceeds 10% per year (new hhldpenetration);• Kitchen organic material diversion will contribute toexceeding 50% diversion.

Compostable Bag CertificationOver the past number of years, the advancement ofstandards and a certification process has come a longway in assisting municipalities to identify appropriate“compostable” bags that ensure to meet centralizedprocessing requirements.

Standards & CertificationAmerican Society for Testing and Materials has developed “StandardSpecifications for Compostable Plastics” > ASTM D6400Products meeting this standard must:1. Biodegrade to carbon dioxide at a rate comparable to yard trimmings, food scrapsand other compostable material2. Disintegrate into small enough particles so no remnants remain that could clogscreening equipment3. Safely biodegrade leaving no visible or toxic residues so that the compost is able tosupport plant growthBiodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has launched a “CompostableLogo” program for products that conform to the ASTM D6400 standardBureau De Normalization Du Quebec (BNQ) has launched a“Compostable Logo Program for products that conform to ProtocolP9011-911 certification standards.

Compostable Bag CertificationNorth America –Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)Canada – Bureau De Normalization Du Quebec (BNQ)

Municipal Control over the use of “compostable” bagsThe predominant requirement among municipalities for“compostable” bags to be accepted for use under the parameters oftheir source separated organics (SSO) collection programs –specifically for kitchen organics - is that such products must meet theASTM D6400 standard and identify the BPI logo (below) on both theouter “retail” package and on each bag.The following examples for the Region of Durham and Peel Regionillustrate messaging municipalities will promote to residents to ensurethat only acceptable products are utilized.

Don’t underestimate the “Yuck” FactorIf source separated organics collection programs fail toaddress the “yuck” factor – the program is most likely tofail.

The Underground Approachin addressing the “yuck” factor in thekitchen.StartwithcleancontainerPlaceraworganicsdirectlyintocontainerDumpcontentsintocurbsidecontainer.Convincespouseto rinseoutresidue(daily)

The Underground ApproachFind self sleeping in basement.

The Clean Approach to addressingthe “yuck” factor in the kitchen.Start withcleancontainerLine containerwithcustomizedcompostablebagPlacecontentsinkitchencontainerWhencontainerfullremovebagFinishwithcleancontainer

Getting organics from thekitchen ....... to the curb.

The Slop Stew Recipe approachfrom the kitchen to the curb.Add 40 litresof organicwaste incurbsidebin, let sit:1-2 weeksPlacefull binat curbfor pick-up:8 hoursAfterpick-up,view stewadditives forripeness:quick glance(don’t sniff)Convincespouse toadd water:2 to 5 litres(avoid splashback)

The Slop Stew Recipeapproach from the kitchen to the curb.Swishcontentsfor desiredthicknessSimmerover hotasphaltuntiltenderServewhenreadyAddflies forextrakick

.The Slop Stew RecipeapproachFind self sleeping in storage shed.

The Clean Approach to addressing the “yuck” factor atthe curb.StartwithcleancurbsidecontainerAdd contentsfrom kitchenbin tocurbsidebin incompostablebagPlacecontentsincurbsidecontainerPlace binat curbsideforcollectionRemovecleanbinfromcurb

The Ca-Ching FactorA Matter of dollars and common sense.If source separated organics collection programsrequire residents to make costly purchases, manywill simply not participate to the fullest extentpossible.$ $ $

“kraft” paper bags are expensive.5 bags @ $5.29 = $1.06 per bag.Based on 5 liner bags per week = $276 per year.

Compostable bags offer cost competitivealternative to “kraft” paper bags.Based on avg retail price of$4.99 (20 bags) avg bag costequals $0.25 per bag, less than25% the price of “kraft” paperbags.Cost based on 5 bags per weekequals $65 / year (whereas“kraft” paper bag costs equal$276 / year.

Municipal Curbside Set-Out Research FindingsRegion of Halton (September 2009)72% participation rateSource: Region of Halton, Waste Management Dept. Sept 18, 09

Municipal Endorsement ofCompostable Bags AcrossCanadaTo date, municipal jurisdictions representing over three millionCanadian households endorse the use of Compostable Bags aspart of their source separated organics (SSO) collection program.

Municipal endorsement letter of Compostable Bags

Compostable Liner Bags OnlyResidents who choose to use liner bags should onlyuse 100 per cent compostable liner bags. These bagsare 100 per cent compostable and are made from allnatural products such as cornstarch. Unlike plasticbags, these bags do not need to be removed beforeprocessing as they simply become part of the finishedcompost product.Please use bags that have one of the followingsymbols on them.

Region of PeelSource Separated Organics ProgramStep One: Using Your Kitchen ContainerUse the kitchen container (small beige container) you received in yourgreen bin to collect your indoor organic material. Store the containerunder your kitchen sink or anywhere else in your home that is handy.For your convenience, you can line your kitchen container withnewspaper, shredded paper, paper bags or certified compostableplastic bags. Non-compostable plastic bags, such as grocerybags and food wrap, are not permitted.Why can’t I use regular plastic bags?Regular plastic bags and food wrap contaminate finished compost. Asan alternative, you can use certified compostable plastic bagsavailable at most grocery and hardware stores.Look for this logo when purchasing compostable plastic bags:

York Region, Ontario – SSO Program

This BPI“compostable”certification symbolis the key identifierthat this product isacceptable under theparameters of themunicipal programthat consumers mustlook for.

The Retail factorSuccessful programs recognize theimportance of partnering with the retailsector and product suppliers.The right product must be in the rightplace at the right time – for all the rightreasons.

Experience with similar programsSSO compostable new program support1. Halton Region May 2008: Distributed 115k samples to households during the launch of theirSSO program,2. Region of Niagara Sept 2008: Distributed 115k samples to households during the launch oftheir SSO program,3. Simcoe County Sept 2008: Distributed 250k samples to households during the launch oftheir SSO program, placed advertisements in local dailies and worked directly with localretailers to ensure Glad 100% compostable products were on shelf.4. The Greater City of Sudbury July 2009: Distributed 57k samples to households during thelaunch of their SSO program,

Experience with similar programsSSO compostable existing program supportOver the past 15 months Glad has supported existing programs in Halton, Niagara, Peel and Durham:1. Region of Halton April & May 2009: A total of 13 ads in the Oakville Beaver, Burlington Post, Milton CanadianChampion and the Halton Compass from the week of April 20 th to the week of May 25 th plus 85k samples distributed tohouseholds in the Region of Halton.2. Region of Niagara May 2009: 70k samples distributed to households in the Region of Niagara3. Region of Peel May 2008 & May 2009:• May 2008: A total of 4 ads in the Brampton Guardian, Caledon Enterprise and Mississauga News• May 2009: A total of 9 ads in the Brampton Guardian, Caledon Enterprise and Mississauga News form the weekof April 20 th to the week of May 18 th plus 85k samples distributed to households in the Region of Peel1. Region of Durham May 2008 & May 2009• May 2008: A total of 4 ads in the Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser, Brock Citizen, Oshawa – Whitby – Clarington –Port Perry Star and Uxbridge Times Journal• May 2009: 70k samples distributed to households in the Region of Niagara

In Store Support: Key for new program launches The Clorox sales team works extensively withretailers to ensure acceptable products aredisplayed at retail to support new organiccollection programs.

Municipal Promotion SupportGLAD Compostable Bag samples – two sizes

Key Rules to Remember The Yuck Factor; The Undergound Approach; The Slop Stew Recipe Approach; The Clean Approach; The Ca-Ching Factor; The Retail Factor.

Thank you for your time.Dave Douglaswww.VisionQuestEnvironmental.comVisionQuestESC@sympatico.ca416-570-4379