HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-61-92 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
DN: CORP-POL.GPA
4 0
Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File
Date: Monday, July 6, 1992 Res.
By-Law
Report#:_WD-41-92— File #:
Subject: MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report WD-61-92 be received;
2 . THAT Attachment #1 to Report WD-61-92 be approved as the Town's
general policy on Municipal operations and the Environment and a
Statement of Principle on Environmentally Appropriate
Procurement;
3. THAT a budget allowance of $3, 000. 00 be drawn from the
Contingency Account #7007-X-298 for waste reduction projects and
other projects to implement sustainable practices; and
4 . THAT Friday, September 11th, 1992 be proclaimed "Think Green Day"
to initiate this program and promote staff awareness of the
Town's efforts to introduce environmentally sustainable practices
in municipal operations.
1.0 ATTACHMENTS
No. 1: Policy on municipal Operations and the Environment and
Statement of Principle on Environmentally Appropriate
Procurement.
2.0 ORIGIN
2 . 1 For several months, a committee of staff representing all
Departments has been meeting to review possible means of reducing
the environmental impact of municipal operations, also known as
"greening the office" . This Committee, known as the Green
Committee, has taken some initiatives to date to be detailed
later in this report. The purpose of this report is to seek
Council's endorsement for the general direction of this process.
REPORT WD-61-92 PAGE 2
3.0 PREVIOUS MUNICIPAL EFFORTS
3 . 1 Over recent years, a number of efforts have been made to reduce
the impact of municipal operations. Some of the initiatives to
date have included:
• in 1990 Council adopted a policy which stipulates the
purchase of recycled paper for all printing needs wherever
possible;
• recycled photocopy paper has been purchased for the past two
years;
• blue boxes for recycling cans, glass, and papers have been
placed in all departments throughout municipal
administrative centre, fire stations, and library branches;
• used paper is being used to make scratch pads;
• wherever possible surplus furniture is re-used by other
departments;
• reduced number of copies of tender documents to each bidder
from 2 to 1;
• hp laser jet toner cartridges are being returned to
manufacturer for recycling purposes;
• returning janitorial chemical containers for recycling and
cash credit;
• energy efficient improvements to municipal facilities;
• retrofitting with energy efficient street lighting.
3 . 2 These efforts have more recently been co-ordinated across the
organization. In order to continue to advance consideration of
environmental concerns in municipal operations, it is important
to follow the proposed policy suggested and identify areas of
enhancement related to this matter.
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4.0 LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND j
4 . 1 Senior levels of government have initiated a variety of
environmental initiatives to address the problems of
environmental degradation. Among these two of the most j
significant include:
REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 3
i) The Ontario Government "Waste Reduction Plan"
The Waste Reduction Plan announced in February, 1991 includes the
following:
1. Implementation of strong regulatory measures to reduce at
source the flow of valuable resources now going to disposal.
2 . Development of the necessary financial and technical
systems, to direct these materials from landfills and into
productive use and reuse.
3 . Help to create healthy markets for material recovered
through 3R's program (reduce, reuse and recycle) .
4. Establishment of Public education programs that will provide
all members of Ontario Society with the information they
need to make possible 3R's choices to reduce the amount of
waste going to disposal.
The Ontario Government has set targets of at least 25% reduction
in Municipal waste going to disposal in 1992 and at least 50% in
the year 2000 (using the total amount of waste generated by
Ontario in 1987) .
ii) The Canadian government "Green Plan for a Healthy
Environment"
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The Federal Government announced its Plan in 1990 with a
variety of initiatives to ensure clean air, water and land.
The Plan includes specific program expenditures and
regulatory measures with targets and schedules. It also
encourages partnerships with other levels of government and
various groups to achieve the objectives.
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4. 2 These are representative of the initiatives being undertaken by j
senior levels of government. In both cases, changes to
legislation will result in changes in the way industry, business
and government are required to conduct their operations. General
targets are anticipated to be implemented, in part, through
specific mandatory requirements incorporated into legislation.
5.0 BENEFITS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
5. 1 Municipal government, as with other levels of government, is
involved in regulatory measures to address questions of
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REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 4
environmental degradation (eg. Official Plan) . In addition to
this regulatory function, governments should apply equal or
greater standards to their own operations. In this sense the
municipality is attempting to set the example and be a leader for
residents and the business community.
5.2 In virtually all areas it would appear that reducing the
municipal waste stream and energy conservation can reduce
operating costs. In the matter of procurement, the use of
alternative products or services may be equivalent in cost but in
some cases may be more expensive. This would have to be
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In the case of recycled
paper, for example, the widespread demand for these products has
led to very competitive pricing structure. In this sense, the
municipal purchasing power can be used to assist in the
introduction of environmentally improved products or practices.
6.0 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
6. 1 The basis for a corporate municipal program is the concept of
"sustainable development" . In summary, sustainable development
deals with respecting the rights of future generations to a
healthy life-enhacing environment by respecting the limits of
nature in our quest for progress. It is a call for responsible
environmental stewardship in the pursuit of a vigorous economy.
6. 2 The Ontario Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy has
issued a "Challenge Paper" to encourage business, industry,
institutions and governments to meet the challenge of sustainable
development. The six principles established by this group are:
1. Anticipation and Prevention of Potential Environmental
Degradation
2 . Full Cost Accounting which incorporates the cost of resource
depletion and degradation
3 . Informed Decision Making which integrates environmental and
economic principles
REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 5
4. "Living off the Interest" such that society does better by
consuming less
5. Quality over Quantity
6. Respect for Nature and the Rights of Future Generations
These principles will provide guidance in the Town's. efforts.
7.0 RECENT INITIATIVES
7. 1 Formulation of Green Committee
A "Green Committee" of 14 staff members (including Newcastle
Public Library) has been formed to implement a corporate wide
program of sustainable practices for municipal operations. In
the "greening" of the office, the committee has identified the
following four major areas to be addressed.
1) Waste Reduction
2) Environmentally Appropriate Procurement
3) Energy Conservation
4) Controlling Toxic Pollutants
The process has led to presentations to staff members to solicit
input in the preparation of an action plan and to generate
interest and participation. A copy of the presentation is
available upon request in the Clerk's Department. From the
Committee's work to date, it also has been noted that there is
extremely high interest among staff in this "greening" of the
office.
7.2 Waste Audit
A Waste Audit of the Municipal Administrative Centre was
conducted between May 8th to May 14th. The results indicate that
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The Town currently recycles over 50 percent of its waste from the
Municipal Administrative Centre. A further 16 percent of the
waste stream could be diverted to recycling with employee
education and improvements to the recycling process.
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REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 6
A more extensive program to reuse paper and office supplies, the
composting of organics (coffee grinds, food waste, etc. ) and the
elimination of paper towels (currently 8 percent of the total
waste stream) are measures that can make an impact in this
regard. Although recycling efforts can be improved upon, waste
reduction and reuse are the principal areas for improvements.
8.0 FUTURE DIRECTIONS
8. 1 Action Plan
On the basis of research done by the Green Committee and the
input of staff, an Action Plan to implement sustainable practices
is being formulated. The following action areas are anticipated
at this time:
Waste Reduction
• Focus efforts on waste reduction and reuse rather than
recycling.
• Continue with waste audits of other municipal facilities.
• Convert all or most employee garbage pails to recycling
pails with centralized garbage bins.
• Standardize procedures to reuse paper.
• Encourage duplexing (two sided copies) for photocopying.
• Employee education on waste reduction.
• Establish procedures and an inventory of reusable supplies.
• Standardize recycling procedures throughout Departments.
• Activate electronic mail option on computer system.
• Introduce composting program for organics.
• Examine alternatives to hand towels for wash rooms (eg.
driers) for 1993 budget consideration.
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Procurement
• Continue to examine and revise where practical, tender j
specifications for the supply of products and services in an
effort to reduce the environmental impact.
• Work with and encourage suppliers to develop and provide new
products and services which are environmentally sensitive
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REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 7
(ie. returning janitorial containers for recycling & cash
credit) .
Energy Conservation
• Employee education and awareness on conserving energy.
• Investigate further energy conservation measures in
municipal facilities.
Toxic Pollutants
• Investigate alternatives through the procurement process.
8.2 Corporate Policies on Municipal Operations & Procurement
The Green Committee proposes to identify the general direction of
its efforts for consistency within existing service levels.
Attachment No. 1 provides a general policy in this regard.
8.3 Budget for Waste Reduction & Other Implementation Measures
The success of this program is very much dependant on the co-
operation of all employees. It requires educating and informing
employees on the program over time.
It is therefore requested, that a working budget in the amount of
Three Thousand Dollars ($3 ,000. 00) be drawn from Contingency
Account No. 7007-X-298. These funds will be utilized for such
aspects as educational and promotional materials. j
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It would also be utilized for minor expenditures that may be
required to implement a waste reduction program (ie. composters,
water flow restrictors) . All expenditures would be made in
accordance with the Town's standard procedures. Furthermore, the
Director of Public Works as a member of the Green Committee would
authorize any expenditures for this initiative.
It is anticipated that the initial funds expended in this area
will be recovered as a result of the implementation of such a
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program. Savings will be realized in such areas as reduction of
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REPORT NO. : PD-61-92 PAGE 8
paper usage and encouraging reuse of all materials where
possible. In addition, a reduction in the overall amount of
waste generated will result in a direct savings in the fees
currently paid for garbage disposal. Staff will also be
investigating the possibility of selling wastepaper to a broker.
8.4 Think Green Day
Staff propose to formally launch this initiative with a "Think
Green Day" to promote awareness and commitment from all Town
Staff.
It would also be a good time to inform the Community of the
Town's continued initiative. The Kick-off Day would include a
press release explaining the Town's efforts in this area and
would involve Staff participation. It is recommended that
Council proclaim Friday, September 11, 1992 as "Think Green Day".
8. 5 Progress Reports
It is staff's intention to report periodically on progress
achieved in this program.
9.0 CONCLUSION
The Town is in a position to provide leadership in the
stewardship of the environment. By building on the work done to
date the Town can continue to be environmentally responsible in
conducting its business.
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REPORT NO. : WD-61-92 PAGE 9
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee
Walter Evans, P. Eng. Lawrence E. Kotsef
Director of Public Works Chief Administ t ve Officer
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ie a o, Treasurer
Pat Ire Clerk
LB*DC*WE*df
*Attach
30 June 1992
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POLICY ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
It is the intention of the Town of Newcastle to assess potential
environmental impacts of municipal services and programs and to take
actions that are within the Town's legal and fiscal capabilities in
order to implement environmentally sustainable municipal practices;
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STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE ON
ENVIRONMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROCUREMENT
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In order to increase the development and awareness of Environmentally
Sound Products, all contracts and tender specifications for goods and
services will be reviewed to ensure that wherever possible and
economical, specifications are provided for expanded use of products
and services that are environmentally sensitive and that contain the
maximum level of post-consumer waste and/or recyclable content,
without significantly affecting the intended use of the product or
service; and that it be recognized that cost analysis is required in
order to ensure that the products are made available at competitive
prices.
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Attachment No. 1
V Report WD-61-92