SWANA 2015 Excellence Award Entry Recycling System

Transcription

1 SWANA 2015 Excellence Award Entry Recycling System Jurisdiction Regional Municipality of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon) Ontario, Canada Description Population: 1.4 million Total Budget: US$2.8 million (CAN$3.1 million) Cost per Household (After Funding Grant): US$3.35 (CAN$3.70) Contact Kevin Mehlenbacher ext Title Entrant Organization

2 1 Executive Summary The is comprised of the Cities of Mississauga, Brampton and the Town of Caledon. With a population of over 1.4 million, the Region provides waste collection services to over 333,250 singlefamily households, 96,000 multiresidential units and 2,500 commercial and institutional properties. In 2006, the Region began operating the Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility which consists of a material recovery facility for processing singlestream recycling, an organics composting facility and a waste transfer station. With an aging material recovery facility operating near capacity, combined with the need to add new materials to its blue box program and the planned implementation of a bi weekly cart based collection system in 2016, the Region completed a material recovery facility capital upgrade in 2014, at a cost of $3.1 million. The upgrade resulted in annual savings of $233,000; annual avoided costs of $2.15 million and extended the facility s operating life to Before Upgrades During Upgrades Completed Upgrades

3 2 Design and Planning of Recycling System Planning Process The is located in southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Toronto metropolitan area. It is comprised of the Cities of Mississauga, Brampton and the Town of Caledon. With a population of over 1.4 million, the Region provides waste collection services to over 333,250 single family households, 96,000 multiresidential units and 2,500 commercial and institutional properties. In 2006, the Region began operating the Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility which consists of an organics composting facility, a waste transfer station and one of the largest Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in Canada. The Region contracts out the operations and maintenance of the MRF to Canada Fibers Ltd. Canada Fibers was awarded a five (5) year Operations and Maintenance Agreement in the fall of While Canada Fibers oversees the day today operations and maintenance, the Region is responsible for improvements and upgrades to the MRF. The Region manages over 110,000 tons (100,000 metric tonnes) of recyclable material each year and annual revenues associated with the sale of recovered recyclable material equate to over US$8.1 million (CAN$9.0 million). The Region takes an aggressive approach to resource recovery and is always looking for opportunities to enhance its recycling program. In 2013, the decision was made to add Mixed Rigid Plastic (MRP) to the program. Based on waste composition audits, it was estimated that there were approximately 4,000 tons (3,600 metric tonnes) of MRP in the Region s waste stream, of which 1,750 to 2,300 tons (1,600 to 2,100 metric tonnes) per year would be recovered. This represented an additional 8.8 to 11.5 pounds (4.0 to 5.25 kilograms) per household per year and a 0.3 to 0.4 percent increase to the annual waste diversion rate. As part of the process of adding MRP to the program, the Region retained an environmental consultant to conduct a study on current and future packaging and recycling trends within the Region. According to the study, the household generation rate of thermoform blister packaging and non bottle plastic packaging would increase over the next decade, and MRP were increasingly becoming the material of choice for a variety of packaging applications. The Region also canvassed several of the surrounding cities and municipalities. As a result of increasing volumes of MRP in the waste stream and the establishment of stable recycling end markets, the Cities of Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston and Ottawa, as well as the Regional Municipalities of York, Halton, Niagara, Waterloo and Durham have all added MRP to their blue box programs. These cities and municipalities were only able to accommodate the addition of MRP to their programs after completing upgrades to an existing MRF or completing construction of a new MRF with the capability to recover MRP.

4 3 The Region s waste collection and processing service providers were also consulted on the operational impacts of adding MRP to the recycling program. The waste collection contractors all indicated that the addition of MRP would not affect waste collection operations. Conversely, the Region s MRF operator indicated that the addition of MRP to the blue box program would have significant impacts at the MRF. Without the implementation of capital improvements the MRF would be required to operate at a reduced speed to accommodate the addition of MRP. The reduction in the material throughput would result in the MRF reaching its maximum processing capacity by Maintaining the MRF capacity was critical as the Region would also be changing to a bi weekly cart based collection system in With the implementation of this new collection system, it is projected that the amount of recyclable material received at the MRF would further increase by 11,000 tons (10,000 metric tonnes). This represents an additional 1.8 to 2 percent increase to the Region s annual waste diversion rate. With the addition of MRP to the Blue Box Recycling Program and anticipated changes to its waste collection system, the Region recognized the need to update its blue box processing technology in order to improve material recovery, increase throughput and extend the overall operating life of the MRF. The MRF capital upgrades contemplated replacing several high maintenance inefficient equipment components with state of the art size reduction and material separation technologies. MRF Upgrade Design After development of a business case supporting the addition of MRP to Blue Box Recycling Program and the MRF equipment upgrades, the project received formal approval from Regional Council on June 27, As per the MRF Operations and Maintenance Agreement, the Region would manage the MRF upgrade project through the MRF operator who would coordinate the equipment delivery and installation. Proposals were solicited from preselected MRF equipment vendors based on the following scope of work outline: Addition of a second optical sorter for recovery of MRP; Replacement of a magnetic trommel with a steel disc glass breaking screen and overhead magnet for improved separation of glass, metals and plastic; Addition of a secondary glass clean up system for improved glass quality; Addition of a finishing/polishing screen for final separation of fibre and containers; and, Modifications to chutes, conveyors and air blowers for efficient movement of materials. Proposals and preliminary designs were received from two major MRF equipment vendors. As part of the design process, both vendors were consulted on optimizing material flows, space utilization, equipment specifications and overall design. Both vendors submitted several proposal options, equipment layouts and budgets. After reviewing the final proposals, Machinex Industries Inc. of Plessisville, Quebec was selected as the preferred vendor. The Machinex proposal met all requirements of the MRF upgrade and was within the approved budget for the project. The MRF upgrade project was scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2014 with a projected budget of US$2.8 million (CAN$3.1 million).

5 4 Material Flow through the MRF Upgrades The finalized design layout incorporates a seamless connection to the existing MRF equipment and effectively utilizes the existing building space by locating the new equipment over two levels. The material flow through the MRF upgrades is as follows: 1. Mixed containers coming from the existing CP Group v screen are conveyed to the new glass breaking disc/fines separator screen that breaks all glass bottles and jars. All material under the size of two and a half (2.5) inches is then directed to the existing glass sorting station and new glass cleanup system. The remaining containers are conveyed towards the new ballistic separator. 2. The new glass cleanup system incorporates a KRS ORSE screen. This screen vibrates the broken glass while air is blown over the material. The vibrations cause the lighter materials to rise above the glass and the air stream blows the material away. 3. The ballistic separator uses a series of stepping paddles to separate any flat items from any three dimensional (3D) materials. Flat items move up an incline to a transfer conveyor while 3D materials tumble backward onto a new sorting conveyor where manual sorters can remove rejects or any remaining flat items. 4. After the manual sorting station, the container stream passes under a new overhead magnetic separator where ferrous containers are removed and transferred to a new quality control station. The ferrous containers are then conveyed to the existing storage bunker. 5. The container material then continues to a new eddy current separator for aluminum recovery. The recovered aluminum passes through a new quality control station where foil and residue is removed from the aluminum cans. The aluminum cans are then transferred to the existing storage bunker via a blower and pipe run. 6. Container material, now free of metals continues toward a new single eject optical sorter and its high speed conveyor that distributes material evenly before it passes through the unit. This optical sorter is for the recovery of PET containers. The recovered PET is directed to a new quality control station where residue is removed. The now clean PET is then transferred to an existing storage bunker with the help of a blower and pipe run.

6 5 7. The remaining container material is now conveyed to a new dual eject optical sorter. This optical sorter is for the recovery of tetrapak/gable top containers and mixed rigid plastic (#1, #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7) containers. Tetrapak/gable top containers are ejected upward and forwarded to an existing quality control conveyor. Mixed rigid plastics are ejected downward onto a new transfer conveyor. The recovered tetrapak/gable top and MRP containers then pass through quality control stations where residue and undesired containers are removed. Following the quality control stations the tetrapak/table top and MRP containers are conveyed to existing storage bunkers. Non ejected containers are forwarded onto an existing conveyor that brings the material into the existing container sorting room. Highlights of the Design Layout and Equipment The design layout incorporates many innovative and unique features. These features include: Configuration of Sorting Stations Quality control locations for all recovered materials Space for multiple sorters when required Ergonomically designed for sorter health and safety Ability to redirect material back into the sorting process Cutting Edge Technology First Ballistic Separator installed in Ontario, Canada State of the art Optical Sorting technology Superior material recovery targets (guaranteed by Machinex) Seamless interface with existing MRF equipment and controls Reduced operating and maintenance costs Maximization of Existing Building Optimizes existing building design Minimal loss of existing bale inventory footprint Designed for bale storage under platform works Maintenance platforms for all new equipment incorporated into design Use of Equipment/Systems and Technologies The original MRF was designed and the processing equipment supplied by the CP Group. The Region now partnered with Machinex Industries Inc. to install the MRF s new equipment components. A total of 30 new equipment pieces were installed in this MRF upgrade. Besides new conveyors and air blowers, the following equipment pieces were installed: Machinex Glass Breaking Disc/Fines Screen: The new glass breaking disc/fines screen was installed to replace the CP Group magnetic trommel that was originally installed to separate glass and recover ferrous containers. The new screen is five (5) feet wide and 15 feet long and uses two (2) decks of six (6) inch diameter Hardox steel disks Glass Breaking/Fines Screen

7 6 that are closely spaced together to maximize glass breakage and separate material smaller than two and a half (2.5) inches from the larger container materials. Utilizing one (1) 5HP high efficiency variable speed motor per deck, heavy duty bearings, an automatic oiler and an automatic tensioner, the screen is capable of removing more than 95% of all glass at a throughput of 11 tons (10 metric tonnes) per hour; is low maintenance and has greatly reduced the amount of MRF downtime caused by numerous material jams associated with the original magnetic trommel. Glass Cleanup System: With the installation of the new glass breaking disc/fines screen, the increased amount of non glass material in the recovered glass required the installation of a new glass cleanup system. The new system incorporates a KRS ORSE screen that is designed to separate materials with different specific weights. Using a vibration feeder, the flow of broken glass is transported against an air stream and the lighter weight materials (paper, KRS ORSE Screen plastic caps, foils, plastics) are blown off the glass. The screen measures 49 inches by 98 inches in size and uses 6 pole unbalanced motors and a variable speed fan blower. The screen can process material at six and a half (6.5) tons (6 metric tonnes) per hour. Machinex MACH Ballistic Separator: The new ballistic separator was installed to replace an air drum separator and a cyclone that were originally installed in the MRF. This ballistic screen was the first installed in Ontario and a number of local municipalities and MRF operators have shown an interest in its operation. The screen is 19 feet long, 10 feet wide and 10.5 feet tall and utilizes eight (8) paddles to separate up to 10 tons (9.5 metric tonnes) per hour of material based on physical properties. The friction created between the paddles and any flat or flexible materials (newspaper, film plastic) combined with the motion of the paddles push the flat or flexible materials up the steep incline, while formed and rigid material (round, square containers) bounce down the deck. Hydraulic cylinders and a variable speed high efficiency motor on the screen allow for angle adjustments to compensate for changes in material composition and quality. When compared to the old MRF equipment or new Ballistic Separator finishing screens that utilize rubber disks to separate material, the ballistic screen has recovered over 95% of all paper and film plastic from the containers, has increased the overall quality of the recovered material and has Ballistic Paddle Configuration reduced operation and maintenance costs.

8 7 Steinert Overhead Magnet Separator: The new overhead magnet separator was installed to replace the MRF s original magnetic trommel ferrous recovery system. The separator is installed inline and can be suspended up to 19 inches above the container stream without losing any magnetic efficiency. The overhead magnet separator recovers greater than 98% of the ferrous containers with less than one (1) percent contamination at eight (8) tons (7.5 metric tonnes) per hour. Overhead Magnet Separator Steinert Eddy Current Separator: As part of the upgrade, a larger and more efficient eddy current separator was installed. An eddy current separator operates by creating a rapidly rotating magnetic field. These magnetic fields create eddy currents in an electrical conductor such as aluminum. When an aluminum container enters the magnetic field, an eddy current is created that causes the container to be repelled away from the magnetic field. The aluminum container is repelled over a baffle that separates it from the other container material. The separator feed conveyor is 78 inches wide and can operate at speeds of up to eight (8) feet per second. The eddy current separator recovers over 98% of the non ferrous material at greater than 96% purity with a throughput of six and a half (6.5) tons (6 metric tonnes) per hour. Pellenc Mistral 2G Optical Sorters: Pellenc Selective Technologies supplied the two new optical sorters installed during the MRF upgrade. Both optical sorters are Mistral 2G models that use high speed Near Infra Red Spectrometry (NIR) to measure what an individual container is made from and then eject specific containers using air jets. These units are capable of 300,000 measurements per second, have a resolution of a sixteenth of a square inch, have a superior signal to noise ratio compared to other optical technology, and have synchronization between detection and ejection of one (1) millisecond. The first optical sorter is a single eject unit for the recovery of PET containers. This optical sorter is 94.5 inches wide and has a throughput of up to seven and a half (7.5) tons (7 metric tonnes) per hour. It recovers over 94% of the PET containers at greater than 95% purity. The second optical sorter replaces an older MSS Inc. Sapphire optical sorter Optical Sorter and is a dual eject unit for the recovery of tetrapak/gable top containers and mixed rigid plastics. This unit is 78 inches wide and has a throughput of up to six and a half (6.5) tons (6 metric tonnes) per hour. It recovers over 92% of PET Container Recovery the tetrapak/gable top and MRP containers at greater than 90% purity.

9 8 Regulatory Compliance In Ontario, an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) is required from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOE) for businesses that store, transport or disposes of waste. The environmental approval sets out the rules of operation for these activities that are intended to protect the natural environment and are legally enforceable. The Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility (PIWMF), where the MRF is located, operates under three (3) ECA s that it must comply with at all times. These ECA s regulate the PIWMF as a waste disposal site, sets air emissions and monitoring requirements, and controls the sewage works within the site. To date, the Region has not received any orders (citations) from the MOE related to the operation of the MRF. The Region is also compliant with Ontario MOE Regulation 101/94, which mandates the collection and processing of five (5) basic blue box materials, specifically aluminum food and beverage cans, glass bottles and jars for food or beverages, newsprint, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles for food or beverages, and steel food or beverage cans. Regulation 101/94 also mandates the collection and processing of two (2) additional blue box items from a supplementary list. The 12 items on the supplementary list are aluminum foil, boxboard and paperboard, cardboard, expanded polystyrene, fine paper, magazines, paper cups and plates, film plastic, mixed rigid plastic containers, telephone directories, textiles and polycoat containers. The Region collects and processes all of the supplemental blue box items at the MRF with the exception of textiles and paper cups and plates. Worker Health & Safety The MRF operator provides training for all its personnel to ensure the safe and proper operation of the MRF. In particular, they ensure that all personnel at the facility are trained, certified and licensed for the specific equipment that they operate and that all personnel are trained in emergency response procedures. Both the Region and MRF operator take all reasonable precautions to prevent damage, injury or loss of life at the MRF. In addition, both parties equally establish, maintain and enforce safety procedures for the protection of all persons at the MRF. Safety Training Topics Lift Truck Safety The Ontario Health and Safety Act mandates the Electrical Safety establishment of a workplace health and safety committee. The function of the committee is to identify situations that Emergency First Aid may be a source of danger or hazard to workers; make recommendations for the improvement of the health and safety of workers; recommend the establishment of maintenance and monitoring of programs related to the health and safety of workers; obtain information on the identification of potential or existing hazards of materials, processes or equipment, and health and safety experience and work practices and standards in similar or other industries; and finally Personal Protective Equipment Lock Out Tag Out Confined Spaces Fall Protection Emergency Procedures Workplace Harassment Workplace Ergonomics Tip Floor Procedures

10 9 obtain information and represent the workers when any equipment or environmental testing in the workplace is conducted. Both the Region and the MRF operator have established Joint Health and Safety Committees that meet on a regular basis. Health and Safety during MRF Upgrade During the MRF upgrade a significant portion of the work occurred during off hours to ensure that there was no interruption to the receiving and processing of materials. This resulted in little interference between the construction and the MRF operations. This limited the potential for any health and safety issues throughout the project. Throughout the MRF upgrade constant attention to proper health and safety procedures and practices resulted in no lost time injuries and no orders (citations) from the Ministry of Labour. As per the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, the MRF operator submitted a Notice of Project prior to commencement of construction. This document is required so the Ministry of Labour is aware of the project and the temporary change in work being done at the facility. The Health and Safety Act also requires a Pre Start Health and Safety Review for all new equipment. The review, completed by a professional, identifies specific hazards or hazards associated with exposure to chemicals and other designated substances. After the MRF upgrades were completed, health and safety reviews were completed on the new optical sorting equipment, the new Machinex processing equipment and the new glass cleanup system. There were no issues identified and the equipment was deemed safe for operation. In Canada, the Canadian Electrical Code requires manufacturers or importers of electrical products to obtain approvals for electrical safety. Since the MRF upgrade included new electrical components, an Electrical Safety Authority Field Evaluation (ESAFE) was required. The field evaluation process follows the CSA SPE 1000 standard, which has three mandatory and non destructive tests. The inspection of the MRF upgrades was completed and ESAFE approved the electrical equipment. Finally, the Machinex scope of work included a provision to provide training for all MRF personnel on the safe operation and maintenance of the new MRF equipment. This training occurred over several days and included both classroom and hands on training. Performance, Economics & Cost Effectiveness Performance Measurement In an effort to identify MRF operating efficiencies, opportunities for improvement and how the MRF compares to other manufacturing facilities, several performance metrics have been developed. These performance metrics measure material throughput, material recovery, material quality and the financial aspects of the MRF operations and then compares the results to industry or contractual targets. These metrics are revised and reported on a monthly basis and consistently show the MRF meets and often exceeds industry standards.

11 10 In addition to the monthly performance metrics, MRF maintenance history and costs are tracked by each piece of equipment. This helps identify MRF equipment pieces where significant efforts should be made to reduce costs through process changes or replacement with new, more efficient or robust equipment. Another performance measurement tool is the MRF mass balance. The mass balance is a computer spreadsheet model that shows how the MRF performs. It is constantly updated with metric data, time motion data, and material composition audit results for the received recyclable material, residue and recovered material quality. The mass balance model can identify performance issues with equipment or manual sorting locations, processes in the MRF where material loss and cross contamination occur, and can help project the impact of a new material streams or substantial changes in material composition. Efficiency, Effectiveness and Operational Performance Performance Metrics MRF Availability (%) Actual = 85.3% Target = 90% MRF Actual Throughput vs. Exp. (%) Actual = 100% Target = 100% Recovered Material Meets Specs. (%) Actual = 97.3% Target = 100% Non Emergency Repairs (%) Actual = 100% Target = 85% Maintenance Cost vs. MRF Cost (%) Actual = 91.5% Target = 85% Vehicle Wait Times < 20 Min. (%) Actual = 96.4% Target = 100% Material Recovery (%) Actual = 97.4% Target = 97% Monthly Metrics for MRF Operations Performance and Commissioning Testing was completed to verify that the new MRF equipment had been successfully installed, commissioned and was capable of meeting the minimum performance requirements, including specific material recovery and quality specifications. The following is a summary of the performance testing for the new MRF equipment: Glass Breaking Disc/Fines Screen Performance Target: >95% of Glass Recovered Actual Performance: 98.3% of Glass Recovered Glass Cleanup System Performance Target: <10% Non Glass Material in Recovered Glass Actual Performance: 8.8% Non Glass Material in Recovered Glass Ballistic Separator Performance Target: >95% of Fibre and Film Plastic Recovered Actual Performance: 98.2% of Fibre and Film Plastic Recovered Overhead Magnet Separator Performance Target: >98% of Ferrous Recovered with 99% Purity Actual Performance: 99.2% of Ferrous Recovered with 99.8% Purity Eddy Current Separator Performance Target: > 98% of Non Ferrous Recovered with 96% Purity Actual Performance: 98.1% of Non Ferrous Recovered at 96.4% Purity Single Eject Optical Sorter Performance Target: >94% of PET Recovered with 95% Purity Actual Performance: 96.5% of PET Recovered with 96% Purity Dual Eject Optical Sorter Target: >92% of Tetrapak/Gable top and Mixed Plastics Recovered with 90% Purity Actual: 92.9% of Tetrapak/Gable top, 85.8% of MRP Recovered with 97.6%, 90.2% Purity

12 11 Testing showed that the MRF new equipment met, and often exceeded performance requirements or contractual recovery requirements. The MRF upgrades, in addition to the enhanced material recovery and quality, improved the processing throughput of the MRF. Prior to the upgrades the MRF processed material at an average of 34 tons (31 metric tonnes) per hour. Since completion of the upgrades, the MRF now averages in excess of 38.5 tons (35 metric tonnes) per hour. This is over a 12% increase processing capacity, which will enable the Region to manage its processing requirements until 2020, at a minimum. MRF Throughput Post Upgrade 38.5 tons/hour (35 metric) Pre Upgrade 34 tons/hour (31 metric) Finally, over the 12 month period since completion of the MRF upgrades, over 1,400 tons (1,265 metric tonnes) of MRP have been recovered. This equates to approximately US$80,000 (CAN$88,500) in marketing revenues for the sale of this material. Waste Screening Waste screening starts with collections personnel performing a cursory sort curbside before any material is placed into the collection vehicle. This removes obvious unacceptable material before it arrives at the MRF. Once material is delivered to the MRF it is inspected in the tipping area by the MRF operator. When a recycling load in whole or in part, is determined to be unacceptable, colour photos of the entire load, including the collection vehicle number are taken to verify the presence of unacceptable material. If required, an entire load can be rejected. Any individual items determined to be unacceptable are removed at the earliest possible point in the MRF process. The MRF operator trains all personnel in the identification of unacceptable material, hazardous waste, recyclable material and non recyclable material. MRF Downtime The impact of MRF downtime is significant. Downtime directly translates into a decrease in material throughput and increased operational and maintenance costs. In an attempt to limit MRF downtime and identify potential issues before they occur, the Region ensures that all recommended equipment preventative maintenance is completed on a timely basis. Even with an aggressive preventative maintenance program, the downtime associated with the original magnetic trommel system was a concern. Frequent material jams and broken drive chains resulted in an average of 68.3 hours of downtime per year. This equates to approximately 18% of all facility downtime. Since the magnetic trommel was replaced with the new glass breaking disc/fines screen, downtime associated with this area of the MRF process has fallen by 73%. The replacement of the old equipment with the new MRF processing equipment has resulted in an overall decrease of five (5) percent in MRF downtime. Customer Service In 2007, the Region introduced the Common Purpose model. It sets out to help staff understand what they could do, or continue to do, to achieve high levels of employee engagement, client

13 12 satisfaction and trust and confidence. The Common Purpose is a part of the Region s framework for success, bringing together the Strategic Plan and Regional Values. Client satisfaction forms part of the Common Purpose Service Value Chain. Client satisfaction is ensuring that clients and citizens are satisfied with the services they receive. The addition of MRP to the recycling program and impending change in the waste collection system only builds on and improves the services that the Region provides its residents. The Region exists to serve the needs of the community and it values client and citizen feedback about the programs and services it delivers. As such, regular client satisfaction surveys are conducted to gather feedback to use to improve service delivery. High levels of client satisfaction result in: Improved Productivity Reduced Cost of Service Delivery Demonstrated Value for Tax Dollars Improved Employee Engagement Improved Trust and Confidence Financial Impacts When developing the business case for this project, several factors were included in the analysis. These factors included processing costs, residue management costs, maintenance costs, MRP revenues, MRF downtime, MRF throughput, and equipment amortization. The business case proved that the project was viable and would result in significant savings to the Region. The total budget for the MRF upgrades was US$2.8 million (CAN$3.1 million). The business case showed a potential annual savings of US$211,000 (CAN$233,000); annual avoided costs of US$1.95 million (CAN$2.15 million) and a payback of only 1.3 years. The majority of the business cases identified savings that were related to the avoided costs from eliminating the additional staffing and processing shifts that would have been required if MRP were added to the recycling program without the MRF upgrades. MRF Upgrade Business Case Processing Costs $250K Avoided Residue Costs $98K Savings Revenues $82K Increase Maintenance Costs $68K Savings Extra Processing Shifts $1.9M Avoided Capital Amortization $15K Increase As the MRF upgrades were required as a result of adding MRP to the Region s Blue Box Recycling Program and the upgrades would result in improved MRF operations, the project was eligible for funding from the Continuous Improvement Fund. The Continuous Improvement Fund (CIF) is a program developed through a partnership among Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the City of Toronto and Stewardship

14 13 Ontario. Its mandate is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Ontario s municipal blue box program. The Region submitted an application and received a funding grant for US$1.38 million (CAN$1.52 million) or approximately 49% of the project costs. Since completion of the MRF upgrades, the original business case for the project was found to be valid. One item not factored into the original business case was the additional revenue resulting from the increased efficiency of the new MRF equipment. This was not originally included as any potential increase in material recovery and revenues were unknown until after the performance and commissioning testing was completed. The testing showed that over 330 additional tons (300 metric tonnes) of recyclable material would be recovered. This would result in additional revenues of over US$90,500 (CAN$100,000) annually. Based on the agreed to project schedule, it was anticipated that the MRF would be unavailable for processing for nine days. This would cover a full week plus the weekends prior and post construction. This scheduled shutdown resulted in 4,080 tons (3,700 metric tonnes) of singlestream recyclable material being diverted to a third party MRF for processing. This ensured that there were no delays to the recycling collection services for residents. Finally, a tender was released for the disposal of the old MRF equipment. This equipment had been in operation since 2006 and was sold as is, where is. There were a total of two (2) bidders on the equipment. The equipment was sold for a total of US$9,600 (CAN$10,600). Public Acceptance, Appearance and Aesthetics Maintenance Program The Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility is mandated by its Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) to ensure the site is properly maintained at all times. As such, the MRF operator is contractually responsible for a general MRF cleaning and upkeep program that ensures that the facility is always kept in a clean and safe condition. Using dedicated cleaning crews the areas of the MRF and site where the MRF operator is responsible for cleaning include: Maintenance Bays and Surrounding Areas MRF Processing Equipment and Surrounding Areas MRF Lunchrooms, Washrooms and Change Rooms All Parking, Roads and Walkway Areas All Enclosures, Interiors and Exteriors All Stairways, including Railings In addition to the general MRF cleaning and upkeep program, the MRF operator is responsible for collecting all litter, both onsite and along bordering off site roads and properties affected by the operation of the MRF, on a daily basis. To date, there has never been a litter complaint from any of the neighboring businesses.

15 14 Public Education and Outreach The Public Works Department endeavors to share its enthusiasm about preserving and protecting the environment with its residents and strives to achieve this goal through school programs, community outreach, business presentations and other outreach opportunities. The goal is to inspire the Region s children, residents and businesses to assist in the protection of the environment and to do their part in the reduction of waste and the protection of our School Education Programs drinking water sources. The Region offers a variety of educational programs around solid waste management, water and wastewater treatment and environmental protection for people of all ages. These programs include school education, facility tours, the Peel Children s Water Festival and other outreach events such as fall fairs, holiday parades and home shows. The Peel Integrated Waste Management Facility includes a large education room that is used for school, youth and adult community groups. The Region has developed education activities designed to complement the curriculum for grade five (5), grade seven (7) and several secondary school courses. The activities are facilitated by Region staff and include examining the life cycle of recyclable material, the impact of purchasing habits and packaging on the waste stream and analyzing the current waste composition, diversion rate and waste strategies impact on the 2021 conservation/recovery target of 75%. These are group problem solving activities where students gain a better understanding of waste management issues. These activities culminate with students presenting their findings to their peers. The Region hosts over 55 school groups at the PWIMF on an annual basis and since the Bus Tours of the Facility facility opened in 2006, over 500 school groups have visited the site. Finally, a successful Mixed Rigid Plastics recycling program depends on the development and implementation of an effective communications strategy to educate the residents on changes to the Blue Box Recycling Program. Several communication methods were utilized to educate residents to place MRP in the blue box, including the Region s website, water bill inserts, mobile signs and newspaper advertisements. The Region also partnered with local municipalities in a joint education campaign. The intent of the campaign was to maximize advertising messaging and exposure to notify residents that all Greater Toronto Area (GTA) municipalities now accept and recycle Mixed Rigid Plastics.

16 Supplemental Material Letters of Support This is one of Machinex s most successful retrofit projects Charles Étienne Simard, Machinex Inc. This was a very successful project in all aspects Jake Westerhof, Canada Fibers Ltd. Design Layout Plan