Sa ~~ COUNCIL REPORT ABBOTSFORD. Report No. ENG Aug ust 23, 2012 File No:

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1 Sa ~~ ABBOTSFORD COUNCIL REPORT Report No. ENG Aug ust 23, 2012 File No: Executive Council To: From: Subject: Mayor and Council Monique Lieuwen, Recycling and Solid Waste Coordinator Curbside Compostable Collection Communication Plan Update RECOMMENDATION THAT Report No. ENG , dated August 23, 2012, from the Recycling and SOlid Waste Coordinator, regarding Curbside Compostable Collection Communication Plan Update, be received. BACKGROUND In December 2009, the City started a food waste collection pilot. The initial pilot area consisted of 118 single family homes and was expanded to include a total of 425 homes in A sample of the education materials provided to the residents is included in Appendix A. Residents were also given a kitchen compost pail and an additional yard waste sticker as part of the startup package. A 2011 survey of the pilot area found 86% of households are participating in the pilot program. In the survey, 79% of respondents also identified the initial startup package as useful and informative. In the City-wide roll out, a similar startup package, along with a City-wide public communication plan, will be used. City-wide curbside compostable collection was approved in Report No. ENG and ENG ANALYSIS In order to achieve successful implementation City-wide on January 1, 2013, a detailed communication plan is required starting in September 2012 and continuing into The communication plan is required to inform: urban and east-side rural residents of the change in garbage collection frequency from weekly to bi-weekly and yard wastefcompostables collection frequency from bi-weekly to weekly; west-side rural residents of the change in recyclables and yard wastefcompostables collection frequency from bi-weekly to weekly; area H residents of the automated collection content change; the food waste pilot area of the continuation of the program ; all residents that food waste that will be collected along with yard waste starting January 2013; and all residents that items that are considered acceptable food waste include: yard waste, all food scraps, including meat and bones, paper towel, tissue, and food contaminated paper and pizza boxes.

2 Report No. ENG Page 2 of 3 A detailed copy of the communication to date is attached in Appendix B. A "coming soon" banner has been in use since July 1, and will continue to be used at everts throughout the fall. Bookmarks and posters highlighting the program are also available. In addition, detailed brochures and a frequently asked questions tip card will be available by the end of September. All brochures will be available in both English and Punjabi, and some of these materials will be distributed with the September utility bill. A draft of the utility bill insert and the current pull up banner is attached in Appendix C. In November or December, each home will receive a curbside collection calendar and a kitchen compost pail that will include a container sticker, a letter, a program brochure, pail liners, and a magnet showing what is acceptable in the compostable was.te collection container. All materials will be similar to those distributed in the food waste pilot area. The following items are also included in communication plan: the curbside compostable collecti~:l Garbage truck panels Garbage truck or city car wrap Six week transit advertising campaign Four week ad bars in grocery stores Advertising on the highway and Sumas Way digital signs Additional banners, as needed Times/News/Patrika print campaign Utility bill flyer insert City Hall lobby display Posters Posters will be on display at City Hall, ARC, MRC, the Works Yard and the Abbotsford Mission Recycling Depot. All brochures will also be available at these locations. Other optional communication pieces include: Six week theatre ad campaign Eight week radio ad campaign Morning radio talk show Abbotsford News wrap My-Waste Application for smart phones Staff is also working with Knowiedge2Action to develop a waste reduction curriculum for grades 9-12 that will be launched in January. This curriculum will have a compostable collection focus. The plan is to eventually expand this curriculum to grades K - 12 in 2013 subject to budget approval. There are also seven public consultation sessions scheduled throughout September and October at various locations throughout Abbotsford. One consultation will be dedicated to Area H residents. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION The total curbside compostable collection communication budget is included in the approved 2012 solid waste budget. The total education program cost is $161,000. An additional $179,000 is available for kitchen pail purchase and distribution.

3 Report No. ENG Page 3 of 3 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS Curbside collection of compostable waste is a key initiative for the City and supports several strategic goals and priority objectives, including reducing corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring long-term economic and fiscal balance. COMMUNICATION PLAN Engineering and Corporate Communications have developed a communication plan to inform residents of the new city-wide curbside compostable collection program starting January 1, A good communication plan will result in better residential awareness and participation which will lead to higher rates of diversion, resulting in lower garbage tipping fees paid by the City. SUMMARY In order to achieve successful results City-wide in the Curbside Compostable Collection Program, a detailed communication plan and an effective launch are required. Details of the communication strategy are included in this report., P.Eng. General Manager of Engineering & Regional Utilities 14~~i( Solid Waste & Environmental Engineer 2Jl ~jj., A gj~_ Monique Lieuwen,.I~. Recycling & Solid Waste Coordinator ML:sj

4 What happens to food waste collected? Food and yard waste collected is taken to The Answer Garden Products Ltd. in Abbotsford for processing into compost and fertilizer Gardeners and landscapers use the product to improve soil and aid plant growth. The finished product is used In compost mixtures that are sold in local and provincial nurseries and gardening centres. The finished product is also sold in bulk form to landscape compani es..,, Food Waste Pilot Proje~t.;L.. ~ '-"""A _,...I......,.,~.. _,-"".J.. - '_ L.. :_... ",,,,- "-,,:,,:," _._"-,...,~~~.:;..... How long is the pilot project? The pilot project will last 12 months, until December 31,2011, to provide reliable data and account for seasonal variations. The City will review the results and determine the next steps. The City may choose to end the program early if problems arise, or extend and expand the program in consultation with affected residents. How will the pilot project be evaluated? Issues to be assessed include cost effectiveness, reliability, volumes diverted, ease of implementation, participation, and program acceptance. Your input is a criti cal part of the evaluation process. Participants Will be invited to complete a survey mid-way and at the end of the pilot project. Mid-way and final reports will be prepared and made publicly available. When does food waste collection start? The pilot project first began on December 9, 2001 with 118 homes. The pilot was expanded to include an additional 306 homes on August 30, Please fo llow your regular collection schedule and continue to have your yard waste, garbage and recycling at curb side by 7 am on your collection days. Who do I contact if my yard waste was not picked up? Your yard waste container with your food waste will be collected at the curb side by the City for the term of the pilot project. Please contact the Engineering Department at , if your collection was missed. "';Jo'~~'..'~',.More information about the pilot project is available on the City's website at ~'.. %".:,', ~~ Engineering Department? 'j; t-.:;.: foodwastepilot@abbotsford.ca ~{t!)fyou would like to receive updates on the progress of the project, ~~'.' p e.ase forward your addresstofoodwastepi/~t@abbotsford.ca. :tf~~.. ~ ~...,.,- - ~ ~

5 What is accepted in the food waste pilot project? Cooked and uncooked vegetables, fruits, bread, egg, meat, bones, dairy products, and food-soiled paper products are accepted in the pilot project at this time. What is not accepted? Diapers, liquids, pet waste, pet litter and anything containing contaminants such as plastic or metal (including foil). The City has provided a reference poster which has a detailed list of acceptable and unacceptable materials. Should I continue using my backyard com poster? Continue to com post materials such as yard and garden waste and fruit and vegetable peelings in your backyard com poster. Home composting is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to recycle these materials and produces a beneficial soil amendment for your yard and garden. When shou ld I compost paper and when should I recycle paper? Continue to recycle all clean paper materials. Recycling paper is more environmenta lly benefic ial than composting paper. Although paper napkins, paper towels, paper cups, paper plates, pizza boxes, and other kitchen paper items are often contaminated wi th food and cannot be recycled, th ey can be composted and turned into a beneficial compost product. How do I prepare food waste for collection? Collect food waste in your kitchen pail. Empty your kitchen pail often and transfer the materials to your yard waste bin. Wash your kitchen pail witf1 soap and water or put It in the dishwasher once clean, it is ready for more compost Are liner bags allowed for the kitchen pail? Yes, but only paper bags - not plastic bags. It is not necessary to use a liner bag and in general, avoiding their use benefits the environment and saves you money. Therefore, use only newspaper. paper bags or no liner In your kitchen pail. If you do choose to use a liner bag in your kitchen pail, it must be 100% compostable, 100% plastic-free, and made entirely from paper and/or cellulose. Some new kraft paper food waste bags have a cellophane liner which is made 100% from cellulose. Cellulose liners reduce leakage and compost much better than compostable plastic bags. Do not use plastic bags or biodegradable or compostable plastic bags. If a paper bag is used, roll or fold the bag closed when full. DO not use twist ties or elastics. Residents may also use cardboard ice cream containers or paper milk cartons for food scrap collection and then place all the materials in the yard waste container. Food-soiled waxed paper and cardboard can be composted With food scraps. Please remember to keep plastic out of the yard waste container. Where can I get additional paper liner bags? A starter kit of kraft paper liner bags has been provided by the City. After using the initial sup ply, you can buy compostable bags included in your starter kit from Engineering at City Hall, 4th Floor. The cost for both types of food waste bags is $4.50 after HST for a pack of 10. Or, if you are using plain paper bags, you can buy them at most hardware stores. What if I have too much material? Food and kitchen waste collected is limited to the yard waste container dunng the pilot prolect. If you don't want to purchase an additional ya rd waste container. you can put your yard waste into Kraft Paper Yard waste Bags which will provide more room for your food waste. Alternatively, save your excess materials until the next collection day. If you have access to a yard, use a backyard composter to further reduce the amount taken to the curb. What if I don't have a full yard waste container? There is no need to fill up your yard waste container. Put it out weekly even if it is not full. Can I get additional kitchen pails? Yes. Each household is supplied with one kitchen pail for the pilot project. If you would like an additional kitchen pail, you may purchase them from most hardware stores and from the Abbotsford/Mission Recyc ling Depot on Valley Road. Look for compost collection palls made of plastic or stainless steel with a tight-fitting or heavy lid. people usually prefer their kitchen compost pails to be a maximum of 5 to 10 L so the container is not too heavy when full, and can be placed in the dishwasher for cleaning. What if the kitchen pail provided by the City break~ : during the pilot project? Please contact the City of Abbotsford'lij Engineering Services at ~ report a broken kitchen compost»

6 '-"-" t-.<.,..,-", <:... '" 1t..~.:... It~.' ~... ~~~A Acceptable :Materials for.curbside Collection t ABBOTSFORD Garbage, Recyciing, Food & Yard Waste >I ",,; f Curbside '... Recycling ~~~?, ~ :. >~.6;\4 Office paper & envelopes - Cardboard; flattened, tied & bundled Milk cartons & jugs Curbside Yard & Food Waste ~'. -)J.'t Yard & garden waste.. ~ k. ) 3 - ~ '-'.. ~"j Fruit & vegetable scraps Meat. fish & bones Cotton balls, cotton swabs, dental floss. make up pads & sanitary products Diapers (bagged) Rubber bands Glass bottles & jars Dairy products, cheese & yogurt Eggs & eggshells Styrofoam pasta, rice, flour Lint, dryer sheets & vacuum cleaner contents and bags (bagged) Magazines, newspapers, flyers & phone books Tin cans Rigid plastics (# & 5) NO motor oil containers Bread, cereal & grains Nuts & shells So iled paper towels & tissues ~ j Coffee grounds, coffee filters & teabags \ I Food-soiled paper packaging & take -out containers Fats, oils, lard & gravy. ~ u. ~~. '".~ Household plants & cut flowers Kitty litter (Feces removed, double bagged & max 5L per week).-f'. ~ (,;~\:~t~ti~w "' ~:~~.~. Cigarette butts & ashes Gift wrap & bows Ceramic and glassware Chip, cookie & pet food bags Stretchy plastics (grocery bags, sandwich! freezer bags & plastic wrap) Boxboard (cereal, packaging, detergent boxes) sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressing, syrup, peanut butter, jams & jellies Clothing, textiles & shoes

7 Appendix B Compostable Collection Communication to Date Food waste pilot starting in 2009 (118 homes initially, expanded to 425 in 2010) o Two surveys o Three council reports (ENG /0ctober 31, 2010, ENG /April 7, 2011, ENG /September 19, 2011) o Focus group study with Context Research Report (April 2011) o Brochure with program information o Kitchen Catcher provided o FAQ handout provided o Acceptable materials three stream brochure 2012 Handbook insert with "coming soon" program information 2012 Calendars to all residents with we're going greener" page (sent Dec ) Public consultations for entire City in June 2011 o ARC (15 people in attendance) o Emmanuel Mennonite Church (30 people in attendance) o City Hall (one person attended) (all three advertised in newspaper) One additional council report, containing program updates (ENG /May 28, 201 2) Abbotsford News article July 10, 2012 Canada Day event - gave out bookmarks with program information, and had pull up banner with information Agrifair event - gave out bookmarks with program information, and had pull up banner with information "Coming soon" information available at ARC, MRC, and City Hall (1't floor and 4th floor), including bookmarks and posters hanging up Approximately 15 phone calls and 15 s in last few months, asking about the program

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9 bity of ABB Compost Collection Program - phase 2 4" x 9" Utility Bill Insert ENGLISH

10 bity of ABB compost collection Program phase 2 4" x 9" Utility Bill Insert PUNJABI