Mandatory Waste Source Separation and Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaws

Update: The consultation is now closed.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is consulting on two bylaws set out out in the RDN Solid Waste Management Plan that aim to build the business of diversion in the Commercial and Institutional (CI) sectors and ensure that all residents have the ability to recycle and compost their waste:

Mandatory Waste Source Separation – All businesses, multi-family buildings and institutions will be required to have a system to separate their waste into organics, recycling and garbage containers for collection. Collection can be done by an RDN Licensed Hauler, or businesses could make their own arrangements.

Waste Hauler Licensing – Businesses that haul waste for profit – usually the same companies who pick up waste from commercial buildings – will be required to obtain a license. These Licensed Haulers would help ensure their commercial customers have systems in place for separating and collecting organics, recycling and garbage. The bylaw would provide an opportunity to give licensed haulers a discounted tipping rate at the landfill for waste that does not contain any recyclable or compostable materials. The discounted tipping rate for waste haulers is to encourage the flow of waste from generators to the waste industry rather than directly to the landfill.

The bylaw will also allow the introduction of a disposal levy for waste landfilled or incinerated in or out of region. The levy will not be applied to material that is recycled or composted. The purpose is to encourage industry’s focus on waste reduction by making it more profitable to divert than dispose. This model will also provide reliable tracking of waste diversion/disposal and has the economic benefit of growing the local waste industry.

Key areas of consultation for the Mandatory Waste Source Separation Bylaw will include:

• Who the bylaw applies to
• Conditions of bylaw
• Compliance and enforcement of the bylaw

Key areas of consultation for the Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw will include:

• Who the bylaw applies to
• Application process
• Fees
• Conditions of license
• Compliance Enforcement

How you can find out more or provide feedback:

• Register (tab at the top right of this page) to be kept up-to-date with progress on this project through our email communication
• Explore this webpage to find out more about the project - staff reports and other documents can be accessed in the document library
• Ask us a question in the Q & A tab below and we will respond

*If you would like your feedback included in the report to the Regional Board and in the final submission to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, please have all feedback submitted by October 1, 2021.

Two webinars will be held on August 19 and September 9 at 10:00am. If you would like to attend, please contact Travis Tanner at ttanner@rdn.bc.ca, with you name and which webinar you would like to attend. If you are unable to attend either of these webinars, recordings will be made available on this page. For those groups interested, staff are available for private presentations as well.