In nature, the waste from
one process becomes an input to another process, supporting an ongoing cycle
of decomposition and regeneration. In contrast, many waste by-products from
human consumption, industrial processes, agriculture and manufacturing are
not readily assimilated or utilized by natural systems. The solid, liquid
and gaseous wastes generated by human activity can have significant environmental,
social and economic costs. In particular, persistent and toxic substances
can disrupt or damage the natural regenerative cycles of people, other species
or the environment beyond repair, sometimes with significant healthcare
or clean-up costs. Toxic substances can be found in food, water, air, and
a wide range of consumer products. Such products include flame-retardants,
non-stick cooking utensils and pesticides, which have beneficial uses but
may also pose risks to human health and the environment. Waste generation
and inefficient use of raw materials can also increase business costs; whereas,
waste management, source control, pollution prevention and various efficiencies
can help reduce operating costs and increase competitiveness among businesses
and other organizations.
| Solid
Waste Disposal |
|
FAIR/MIXED
RESULTS
- Total solid waste disposal is improving for the Fraser Basin. Per
capita generation is improving in some regions and getting worse in
other regions. |
| Greenhouse
Gas Emissions |
|
MIXED
RESULTS/POOR
- GHG emissions
per capita and per $ of GDP are improving, but total emissions are getting
worse. |
| Toxic
Substances |
|
POOR/GETTING
WORSE - Releases and transfers of
toxic chemicals increased by 49% in Canada (1995-2002). Dozens of known
carcinogens and other toxins were found in a majority of volunteers
tested in 2004 and 2006. |
Solid Waste (1996-2002) 1,
2
All sources in the Fraser Basin disposed of 1.4 million tonnes of solid
waste in 2002. Overall, because of increased rates of diversion (recycling
and composting), this represents a reduction of 17.8% since 1996. Rates
of change have varied widely across Fraser Basin regions, with significant
decreases in the Upper Fraser (-32%) and Greater Vancouver-Sea to Sky (-23%)
regions and increases in the Fraser Valley (33%) and Thompson (22%) regions.
When examining provincial data, the majority of solid waste
(50%) in BC is generated by industrial, commercial and institutional sources,
35% by residential sources and 15% by construction, renovation and demolition
activities. Of the 1.3 million tonnes of residential waste in BC in 2002,
approximately two thirds was disposed in landfills or incinerated, while
only 31% was diverted through recycling or composting. While BC's rate of
diversion is considerably better than the Canadian average (19%), there
is room for improvement.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 3
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) represent a significant form of waste because of
their influence on climate change. GHGs are emitted by a diversity of sources,
the majority of which relate to a dependence on fossil fuels, the transportation
of goods and services and a variety of industrial processes. Urban sprawl,
single-occupancy vehicles and shipping of goods on a global scale all contribute
GHG emissions. Both the total (66.8 megatonnes) and per-capita (15.9 tonnes)
annual GHG emissions have increased over time in BC and are at their highest
in the last15 years. See Climate Change.
Toxins in Humans
4
,
5
,
6
Some human activities generate chemical waste or by-products that are released
into the air, water and ground and may be toxic. Between 1995 and 2002,
the volume of chemicals reported to be released and transferred in Canada
increased by 49%. The most commonly used chemicals are pesticides. While
not all chemicals and pesticides are harmful, a number of these agents have
been linked to growth in a variety of ailments, including several forms
of cancer, reproductive disorders, birth defects, asthma and neuro-developmental
disorders. Information compiled by provincial poison control centres from
across the country revealed that thousands of Canadians, predominantly children,
are acutely poisoned by pesticides each year. As of July 2006, there were
60 active ingredients, used in 1,130 pesticide products, registered for
use in Canada that have been banned in many other western industrialized
nations because of health and environmental concerns (See
Health).
In 2004, a non-governmental organization-Environmental Defence-tested 11
people from across the country to examine the presence of 88 chemicals that
are released into the land, air and water through industrial and agricultural
processes. The study found traces of 60 of the 88 chemicals in all 11 of
the volunteers: 44 chemicals detected per individual, including 41 carcinogens,
27 hormone disruptors, 21 respiratory toxins and 53 reproductive/developmental
toxins.
A follow-up study conducted in 2005, examined the children, parents and
grandparents from five Canadian families. On average, 32 chemicals were
detected in each parent volunteer and 23 chemicals were detected in each
child. In total, 38 carcinogens, 23 hormone disruptors, 12 respiratory toxins,
38 reproductive/developmental toxins, and 19 neurotoxins were detected in
the study volunteers. There were several cases in which the children were
more contaminated than their parents by these toxins.
|
E-waste finds
new life
Genesis Recycling is an electronics recycling company in Aldergrove
that locally dismantles over 200,000 computers a year, recovers and
sells components for recycling and keeps harmful substances out of
landfill. It's a critical sustainability service. Electronic waste
(e-waste) is now one of the fastest growing waste streams in North
America and one that contributes to soil and water contamination because
electronics contain hazardous substances that leach into the ground.
Beginning in 2007, BC's Extended Producer Responsibility regulation
will require the electronics industry to recycle all computers, monitors,
desktop printers and TVs, and to offer e-waste collection or drop-off
services. Similar industry stewardship programs already exist for
paint, aerosols, medicines, pesticides, beverage containers, pharmaceuticals
and oil.
|
|
|
What is being done?
BC currently
has six active product stewardship initiatives for the recycling of beverage
containers; solvents; flammable liquids and pesticides; used lubricating
oil; consumer paints, varnishes, stains and aerosols for home and commercial
use; pharmaceuticals; and tires. 6
A growing
number of businesses, municipalities, institutions and families in BC are
initiating and committing to a "zero waste" target, by closing
the loop on material flows and linking communities, businesses, and industries
so that the waste of one becomes another's feedstock: www.footprintbc.com/zerowastenorth/index.htm.
As of October 2006,
122 municipalities from across Canada had passed laws prohibiting the use
of pesticides for cosmetic, non-essential purposes. These laws protect over
11 million Canadians, or approximately 37 per cent of the country 's population.
However, only 4 of the municipalities within the Fraser Basin have adopted
such bylaws. 8
Concerns
about the control of invasive plants warrant careful consideration about
pesticide bans. Integrated pest management is one means of limiting pesticide
use, while controlling invasive plants. See Natural
Hazards.
What else can we do?
Consider employing integrated
pest management practices in the environment where you live, work and play
to reduce human exposure to pesticides.
Conduct a waste assessment
in your organization to reduce waste and save money. Waste assessments help
determine the weight, volume and the types of waste materials being generated
and identify options to reduce, reuse or recycle.
Encourage
your community to participate in Waste Reduction Week (third week of October):
www.wrwcanada.com.
REFERENCES
1. Statistics Canada, 2004, Waste Management Industry Survey:
Business and Government Sectors.
2. Recycling Council of BC. (2003) BC Municipal Solid Waste
Tracking Report 2001/2002: www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/mpp/pdfs/tracking_rep_0102.pdf.
3. Environment Canada. Canada's Greenhouse Gas Inventory,
1990-2003: Annex 12: Provincial/Territorial GHG Emission Trends:
www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/ghg/inventory_report/2003_report/ann12_e.cfm.
4. Environmental Defence and Canadian Environmental Law
Association (November 2005). Shattering the Myth of Pollution Progress:
A National Report: www.environmentaldefence.ca.
5. Environmental Defence and Canadian Environmental Law
Association (June 2006). Polluted Children, Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution
in Canadian Families: www.environmentaldefence.ca.
6 Boyd, David. (2006) The Food We Eat: An International
Comparison of Pesticide Regulations. David Suzuki Foundation, Healthy Environment,
Healthy Canadians Series: www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Publications.asp.
7 BC Ministry of Environment. Environmental Protection Division:
env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/ips/index.html.
8 Christie, Mike. (2006). Private Property Pesticide By-laws
In Canada: Population Statistics by Municipality: www.flora.org/healthyottawa/BylawList.pdf.
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