Draft 2- Waste Diversion Plan for Vaisakhi Vancouver
Transcription
Draft 2- Waste Diversion Plan for Vaisakhi Vancouver
Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade 2016 Sustainability Plan Sikh tradition begins with the simple premise that all the universe is sacred and worthy of respect. Every bush, ant, and tree is, in its own way, engaged in worship (sikhnet.com) Prepared, in part, by Poonam Sandhu [email protected] 1 1 Waste Reduction at Vaisakhi In 2014 and 2015 the Vaisakhi Parade partnered with the City of Vancouver (CoV) to set up a Green Zone along Main Street (between 49th Avenue and 53rd Avenue). The Green Zone contained roughly ten waste stations used to collect recyclables, food scraps, drink containers and garbage. The waste stations were staffed with one to two volunteers for most of the day. Collections Successes Data from both years was made available through the through Mr. Peter Chi from the CoV Sanitation Department. When comparing 2015 with the prior year, several positive outcomes were seen including: a 54% reduction in the amount of waste collected, a 25% increase in the collection of cardboard and containers and a 181% increase in waste recycled in the Green Zone. Data for organics collection was not available. Table 1: Green Zone Waste Metrics (COV, 2015) Year Waste Recycling (cardboard and containers) 2014 4400kg 730kg 2015 2020kg 910kg % Change -54% 25% Percent of waste recycled 16% 45% 181% Challenges Even with the successes above, waste collection in 2015 faced ongoing barriers. These included: non-uniform placement of the bins, ineffective labeling (based on language of dominant population attending the parade), poor waste station staffing ratio and insufficient training for the staff. In addition, the parade does not have a system to remove waste from overflowing waste containers. Plan for future Vaisakhi Parades For optimal performance waste stations must be: 1. At predictable locations (see recommendation on map APPENDIX A), 2. Staffed with one person per bin fluent in both English and Punjabi (or Hindi), 3. Labeled properly (using text in both languages and pictures), and 4. Serviced routinely to limit overflow and cross contamination. 2 2 Checklist for Vaisakhi 2016 Before o Meet with the City to revise plan for parade parameters. o Map out a larger Green Zone: Main Street from 49th to 53th. o Expand Green Zone from 49th from Main to Prince Edward Street. o Determine how the Green Zone will “stand out” for the crowd o Within the Green Zone, block off all alleyways west of Main Street (these will be used to haul waste between waste stations and roll offs). o Confirm waste hauler o Rent or source two golf carts (will be used to move waste during the event) o Rent or source tents o Assign a representative to hire, train and manage the Waste Station Staff. o Two staff members should be of driving age for the golf carts. During o At the waste stations, staff one person per bin. o Orient the 30-40 waste station staff to their assigned tent/teams. o Service the stations minimum once per hour or more frequently. o Use golf carts to move waste every hour or more frequently to the roll offs. o Do announcements from the various stages to remind people where waste stations are, where bathroom stations are, and remind them to divert their waste. o Once supplies have been exhausted, tape the bin lids up and count all items collected from that point forward as garbage. After o Have staff close down their stations, put away signs and bins, and fold up tent if needed. o Staff should wash (gel) their hands before exiting their shifts. o City of Vancouver to measure waste diverted based on volumes of (appropriate) waste sorted in roll offs/trucks. 3 Appendix A Weblink to Green Zone map with markers: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zuoDeaikMJe8.kneHigpU- Garbage/recycling truck or roll off Drinking water stations Sani station (waste bins + potties as depicted below) 194 E 51st Ave 4 Vancouver, British Columbia Street View - May 2014 Extra set of bins in the back so that full bin can be exchanged for empty ones. Full bins will be picked up by the golf cart and contents dumped into the appropriate roll off.