Waste Stream Management Licensing Bylaw Update

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is updating the Waste Stream Management Licensing (WSML) Bylaw, which has not been revised since 2004. The WSML Bylaw is a regulatory tool for the management of private licensed facilities that handle waste and recyclable material. Authority for the WSML bylaw is granted through the RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan and therefore revisions must be approved by BC’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

The WSML Bylaw requires a high standard of operation, promotes waste diversion, minimizes nuisance and requires reporting so that waste diversion can be tracked region-wide.

Key areas of the review include:

• Repeal of the Regional District of Nanaimo Waste Stream Management Licensing Bylaw No. 1386, 2004;
• Excluding solid waste and recyclable facilities managed by the RDN and affiliated municipalities authorized under permit or regulations by the provincial Environmental Management Act;
• Clarifying definitions;
• Identifying and describing private facility types requiring a license;
• Streamlining licensing process;
• Eliminating details associated with operating plans and security requirements that are best suited to be incorporated into the RDN’s WSML Application Guide and authorized under the facility license;
• Limiting the scope of the WSML Bylaw to only those areas requiring Minister approval and removes section like illegal dumping and fee provisions to be included in new separate bylaws; and
• Aligning with RDN’s direction to support existing and creation of new bylaws including the Mandatory Source Separation and Waste Hauler Licensing bylaws to meet the goal and objectives of the approved Solid Waste Management Plan.

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 electronic communications and provide us your thoughts.
• 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 section below and we will respond.