SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 9
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Taking RECYCLING to a WHOLE NEW, regional LEVEL
have collectively, and if there is an economic opportunity. This is a key step to understanding our potential for a circular economy. It sounds like a big challenge, but there are a couple of quick wins we can get started on now, and the work has already started. Local governments all over the world are diverting increasing amounts of construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste away from landfill sites and finding reuse solutions. In the Metro Region, CRD waste ends up in our landfills, accounting for a significant portion of solid waste. Here in Canada, governments are working with business and industry partners to create legislation, strategies and programs that encourage the re-use and recycling of those materials, to manage the long-term consequences. For example, used concrete takes up a huge amount of landfill space, but it can also be recycled and re-used. Large pieces are being re-used as slabs and walkways, and are even reducing erosion from rivers and lakes. Crushed concrete is being used for road base, gravel, retaining walls, landscaping, and as raw material for new concrete. By re-using concrete, the pressure on landfill capacity is reduced. Businesses are developing new products and technologies, saving on landfill and transportation costs, and they’re creating new jobs. That strengthens our economy and helps to protect our environment. Recycled concrete and other road materials can also reduce the pressure on aggregate resources that are extracted in our region. Millions of tonnes of virgin aggregate are extracted each year for building our vital transportation corridors and just a small fraction of that is recycled. But the problem is beyond concrete. Almost all asphalt, metal and plastic CRD waste is recyclable. Progress is being made in diverting CRD from landfill sites, but we can obviously do more. We can work with our partners in industry and business to encourage the development of new practices, new products and new technologies. We can do it in a safe and sustainable way. Setting such an example starts with new partnerships and a collaborative, region- wide approach. With Plan20-50, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, its member municipalities and great partner organizations like the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association are positioned to provide that leadership. We recognize the opportunity for our region to be a leader in developing technologies and practices that respond to the challenge of reducing CRD waste. We see the benefits that an innovative approach can have for our environment and economy. We are committed to making it happen and, by working together, we will build a brighter future for all Manitobans, for generations to come.
WHEN YOU WANT IT ALL
Colleen Sklar is the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region
Colleen Sklar
Land Development Road Construction Asphalt Paving Milling Commercial Parking Lot Construction Sewer & Water Installation and Repairs
T he Winnipeg Metropolitan Region is a partnership that includes the City of Winnipeg and the 17 municipalities surrounding it. Two-thirds of Manitobans call the Metro Region home. It is the fastest-growing area of Manitoba, the province’s economic hub, and it accounts for upwards of 65% of provincial GDP. With a regional vision, Manitoba’s Capital Region can address common short-term and long-term challenges: job creation, infrastructure needs, long-term environmental protection, and resilience to threats like climate change in an effective and meaningful way. As a region, we can address our challenges and realize abundant opportunities, but we have to work outside the status quo. Tackling large and small issues at the local level, often one community at a time, constrains opportunities. A good example is seen in how we manage waste. Within the Metro Region, we have 12 landfills and 13 transfer stations, each municipally operated with varying degrees of service. As of 2019, the region had a waste-diversion rate of 29% as a whole, 14% when the City of Winnipeg is excluded. It’s one of the lowest metro region waste-diversion rates in Canada. Burying, burning and sorting out some materials may have served a short-term purpose of managing our waste problem, but the carrying charges for those types of solutions have short and long-term economic, environmental and social costs. New practices, processes and technologies to turn waste to resource are on our doorstep, but to seize these opportunities we must work together as municipalities and in partnership with business and industry. We must develop a new approach. That new approach must first undertake a material-flow analysis, by evaluating what is in our waste stream, how much waste we
Concrete Crushing - 4”, 2” & 3/4” recycled concrete spec material Heavy Equipment Rentals complete with GPS Street & Lot Sweeping Snow Clearing & Sanding Services Hydro Excavation Services Concrete Cutting
4000 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba | 204.254.7761 estimating@bayviewconstruction.ca | bayviewconstruction.ca | rockyroadrecycling.ca
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