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Fulton said many people and businesses do the right thing by having compost bins and systems in place to have the materials diverted and composted, but the latest Metro Vancouver waste composition shows that 22 per cent of regional waste was compostable organics, the most common single item, ahead of plastic, which comprises 19 percent of regional waste. In 2024, an average of 70 kilograms of compostable organic materials per person ended up in the garbage.That's down from the 87 kilograms per capita of compostable organics in the garbage in 2021, when they made up 28 percent of regional waste. Conversely, if organics are properly diverted, it's a straightforward process to turn them into a soil amendment. "Which is a valuable product that actually helps build healthy soils." Officials like Fulton are commending residents and businesses for their efforts to slowly reduce the amount of organic waste showing up in landfills.
AND........But there's still work to be done," said Fulton. "We see some sectors where there's more challenges than others." One of the biggest areas for improvement is multi-family buildings. A separate waste composition study in 2024 by Metro Vancouver showed that 32 percent of waste coming from the buildings was compostable organics. Smaller spaces, smell, and ickiness are all reasons why residents in these buildings have a higher rate of organic waste in their garbage compared to the regional average. Cristy Houston, the City of Richmond's waste reduction and recycling co-ordinator, says a big part of her job is providing tools and information to residents in multi-family buildings to divert more organic waste. "I think of a lack of convenience … the distance between where you may be sorting your materials and where they're actually ending up within your building can contribute to why it might be easier to do things incorrectly," she said. "But the opportunity to sort and create that space within your multifamily building to make sure you're sorting things is something that's readily available to all residents." There are buildings overcoming these hurdles and doing a great job, according to both Houston and Fulton......read on https://www.cbc.ca/news/
AND........ Best Practices for Organics Diversion in Multi-Residential Buildings: A Literature Review January 15, 2024 Posted by: Katrina McGuire Introduction The diversion of organic waste from the traditional end-of-life scenario of landfill disposal is a rapidly evolving and important aspect of modern waste management. Organic materials, such as food scraps, yard waste, and soiled paper products, constitute a significant fraction of the municipal solid waste stream. When these materials are landfilled, they decompose anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential many times greater than carbon dioxide (EPA, 2021). The diversion of organics to composting or anaerobic digestion facilities can thus mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, extend the lifespan of existing landfills, and recycle nutrients back into the soil, promoting soil health and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Multi-residential buildings, such as apartment complexes and condominiums, pose unique challenges for the diversion of organic waste. These challenges stem from a high density of residents, diverse resident populations with varying levels of environmental awareness and commitment, limited space for waste sorting and storage, and the complexities of coordinating waste management practices across numerous households. Despite these challenges, the successful diversion of organics in such settings is crucial because of the significant volume of waste generated and the potential for large-scale impact on waste reduction goals. The success of organics diversion in multi-residential buildings is contingent upon a combination of factors. Education and regular communication are vital to ensure that residents are aware of the reasons for organics diversion, understand how to participate correctly, and are motivated to engage in the program. The provision of convenient and well-designed collection systems is equally important to facilitate the easy separation and storage of organic materials. Policy measures from municipal or building management can support and enforce organics diversion, while financial incentives can encourage participation and reduce contamination rates. Furthermore, fostering a community ethos that values sustainability can be particularly effective in multi-residential settings, where peer influence and shared spaces are inherent aspects of daily life. By addressing these factors in an integrated manner, multi-residential buildings can overcome the barriers to effective organics diversion and make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability and the circular economy. In the broader literature, various strategies and programs have been documented that address these challenges with varying degrees of success. This report will delve into these strategies, supported by examples from the literature, to articulate a comprehensive approach to organics diversion in multi residential buildings. This report is broken down into the following sections: 1) Best practices in Education and Engagement 2) Best practices in Infrastructure and Collection for Organic Waste Management in MultiResidential Buildings 3) Best practices in Space Optimization 4) Best practices in Collection Methods and Processing 5) Best practices in Maintenance and Hygiene 6) Best practices in Building Codes and Standards for Waste Management 7) Best practices in Policies and Incentives.......read the report https://cdn.ymaws.com/
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Gardiner was not naive – an environmental journalist from the US, now based in London, she had written a book, Choked, on air pollution. She was well aware of the tactics and impact of the oil industry. But she was still shocked. “I think what stood out most is the deliberateness and intentionality over the years of pushing plastic into our lives,” she says. “If you look back to the 50s and 60s, when this model of disposability was being invented, there are speeches given at plastics industry conferences, saying: ‘We can make so much more money by selling a bottle that will be thrown out than selling a bottle that gets reused 20 or 40 times.’ I guess what shocked me the most is the deliberate way that they built this world that we live in. They understood the impact, the consequences, and they saw the profit that it offered and that overrode everything else.” In the past 20 years, Gardiner writes, plastic production has doubled, and it will double again, perhaps triple, in the near future. Petrochemicals – a big chunk of which are for plastic – are, she says, “expected to be the largest single driver of oil demand growth in the decades to come. Obviously these oil companies can see what’s coming – they understand that that shift away from fossil fuels is a threat to their business model that has been so profitable for them.” Plastic, she says, “is a way for them to keep drilling and to keep making money. Putting their expertise and muscle into solar or wind power was not the way they wanted to go. It’s not as profitable as selling oil and gas, so they’re all in on the current model, and plastic is a way to perpetuate it. Which is why it is, I guess, even more catastrophic. Because if it’s enabling the industry to keep drilling, to keep selling oil and gas, that is a huge threat to the climate.”
The extraction and transport of fossil fuels, and manufacturing and disposal of plastics, all create carbon emissions. According to the UN, in 2019, plastics generated 1.8bn tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – 3.4% of total global emissions.Meanwhile plastic has contaminated the planet. Microplastics – created when plastic degrades – have been found in the deepest ocean and on top of Mount Everest. They’re in food, water and the air we breathe. Studies have shown the presence of microplastics in humans, and although the reliability of tests and the levels found has recently been questioned, the presence of microplastics isn’t in doubt. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/19/they-pushed-so-many-lies-about-recycling-the-fight-to-stop-big-oil-pumping-billions-more-into-plastics
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To fully grasp the scale and urgency of today’s challenges, as well as the opportunities they present, the World Bank Group's new What a Waste 3.0 report offers the most up-to-date data and statistical analytics on global solid waste management. Drawing on the most recent publicly accessible data from 217 countries and economies and 262 cities, it provides a framework for understanding how different policy choices and levels of ambition could shape the future of global waste.
Here are ten key takeaways from What a Waste 3.0 that explain the global waste crisis—and how to fix it.
1. Waste Volumes Could Grow 50% by 2050.......In 2022, the world generated 2.6 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. What a Waste 3.0 reveals that total annual volumes could rise to 3.9 billion tonnes by 2050 without major policy and investment shifts—a 50% increase—with the fastest growth projected in the rapidly growing regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (124%) and South Asia (99%).
2. One-Third of All Waste is Mismanaged.....One-third of all waste produced globally goes uncollected or is openly dumped, according to the report. This challenge is most acute in low-income countries, where just 3% of generated waste is treated in some way. Plastic waste is of particular concern; nearly 29% of all plastic waste, or 93 million tonnes per year, is mismanaged.......read on https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/sustainablecities/what-a-waste-3-charts
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Global recycling rates have fallen for the eighth year running, report finds. Researchers call for investment in ‘circular solutions’ as consumption rises faster than growth in population. GuardianDamian Gayle 16 May 2025 Global recycling rates are failing to keep pace with a culture focused on infinite economic growth and consumerism, with the proportion of recycled materials re-entering supply chains falling for the eighth year running, according to a new report.Only 6.9% of the 106bn tonnes of materials used annually by the global economy came from recycled sources, a 2.2 percentage point drop since 2015, researchers from the Circle Economy think tank found.
The problem is systemic, they say: the rise in consumption is even more rapid than the growth in global population, and although some companies are increasing the amount of recycled material they use, the majority ignore the issue with no apparent penalties. This means that societies generate more waste than recycling systems can handle. Even if all recyclable goods were recycled, which is unlikely as many goods are simply too difficult or costly to recycle, global recycling rates would only reach 25%, meaning that consumption must be slashed in order to tackle a growing global waste crisis. Ivonne Bojoh, chief executive of Circle Economy, said: ‘‘Our analysis is clear: even in the ideal world, we cannot solve the triple planetary crisis by mere recycling. The much-needed systemic change requires fundamental change.
“This means unlocking circular potential in stocks like buildings and infrastructure, managing biomass sustainably and stopping sending perfectly renewable materials to landfills. “This change doesn’t happen outside ourselves. We all need to make different choices, be bold, and invest to implement circular solutions across value chains.” As many consumers can attest, recycling levels have been increasing in recent years. From 2018 to 2021, the use of recycled materials used in manufacturing has also increased by 200m tonnes, thanks to increasing awareness. But this increase has been outpaced by the growth in use of virgin materials, the researchers found. They cited figures showing that global extraction of raw materials has more than tripled in the past half century, recently reaching 100bn tonnes a year – a figure expected to rise by a further 60% by 2060, unless action is taken......read on https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/16/global-recycling-rates-have-fallen-for-eighth-year-running-report-finds
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Vancouver, known for its picturesque landscapes and commitment to environmental stewardship, is facing a unique challenge in the realm of waste management and recycling. High-density strata properties, such as condominiums and apartment complexes, are increasingly prevalent in the city. These properties often struggle with effective waste diversion due to space constraints, diverse resident profiles, and complex waste streams. In response, innovative and tailored recycling solutions are needed to ensure these communities contribute positively to Vancouver’s ambitious sustainability goals. This article will explore actionable recommendations and strategies for high-density stratas in Vancouver to improve their recycling efforts, with a focus on how Growing City, a leader in waste management solutions, can play a pivotal role.
Understanding the Challenge.& Recommendations...b. Tailored Recycling Bins: Invest in clearly labeled and appropriately sized recycling bins for different waste streams (e.g., paper, plastics, organics). This simplifies the process for residents and encourages compliance.
c. Educational Initiatives: Regular educational campaigns about recycling practices and the importance of waste diversion can help build a community culture of sustainability.
d. Resident Engagement: Engage residents in the planning and implementation of recycling programs. Resident-led committees can provide valuable insights and foster a sense of ownership.
Implementing Solutions with Growing City.......Growing City, with its expertise in waste management solutions, can play a crucial role in helping high-density stratas in Vancouver scale up their sustainability efforts. Here are ways Growing City can assist: a. Customized Waste Management Plans: Growing City can develop and implement customized waste management plans tailored to the specific needs of each strata. b. Innovative Recycling Solutions: Growing City offers innovative recycling solutions, such as compactors and space-efficient bins, ideal for high-density properties. c. Educational Workshops: Growing City can conduct workshops and training sessions for residents and management staff, ensuring everyone is well-informed about best practices in recycling.
Detailed Strategies for Enhanced Recycling in High-Density Stratas...... Space Optimization: Maximizing Limited Space: Innovative solutions such as vertical storage and multi-stream waste bins can maximize the limited space available in high-density stratas. This helps in accommodating separate bins for different types of recyclables and waste, without overwhelming the available are
Growing City’s Role:Growing City can provide custom-designed recycling stations that fit into the unique spatial configurations of each property, ensuring efficient use of space.
Streamlining Waste Collection.....read on https://www.growingcity.com/
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