Solid Waste Management (SWM): Supporting First Nation Land Governance

Supporting Framework Signatory First Nations in carrying out their responsibility in the development, operation, and maintenance of environmentally responsible solid waste management systems.

Key service areas include:

  • Law development support related to Solid Waste
  • Design support for waste management systems
  • Review and Recommendations for Solid Waste Management Plans
  • Assistance with setting up & improving waste diversion programs
  • Registration support and liaising with Stewardship Organizations
  • Assistance with understanding Federal & Provincial Legislation and Regulations
  • Project planning and proposal development support
  • Funding program

First Nation Solid Waste Management Projects

Lower Nicola Indian Band Logo with background photo of their territory.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Solid Waste Management Project video

(click for video)

The Solid Waste Management project has allowed the Lower Nicola Indian Band Lands Department to clean up and remediate important parts of LNIB lands. See how the project and its collaborators have made a difference towards protecting LNIB reserve lands located within the Nlaka’pamux traditional territory.

Recycling Zone Video and Waste Diversion Incentive Program

(click for video)

In 2021, Tzeachten opened their “recycle zone” a waste diversion incentive program aimed towards youth. They created minted coins and a new superhero “Recyclops”.

Green Team -Community Champions

(Magnetawan Green Team  fridge magnets)

Magnetawan hired and trained two community champions. This green team, did community outreach, managed an elders-assistance program (for solid waste), and education over the summer months, developing materials and undertook a door-to-door questionnaire to improve Solid Waste in Magnetawan. They wrapped up the season with a community workshop.

Seabird Eco-Centre – Feasibility Study  

Seabird Island undertook a feasibility study for an Eco-Centre as an economic opportunity. The RC continues to work with Seabird on this initiative and will be moving towards getting this into operation

Composting Pilot and Education Program

Vermicomposting workshops were held at Dokis Elementary School, students got to learn about their impact on the environment through waste generation and how they can help through composting. They put together worm bins for their classrooms.

Dokis also hosted Trash Talks sessions where residents learned about composting and received tumbler composters to start composting at home.

Temagami Flyers Bay Clean Up

In 2020, Temagami undertook a major cleanup of Flyer’s Bay. The project safeguarded the removal of 18 (loads) – 45-yard bins with assorted junk and metal, safely across the lake for proper disposal off the island. New signage and education materials were also created so that people would know that Flyers Bay was no longer to be used as a disposal site.

Flyers Bay Clean-Up Flyer

Waste Reduction

In 2020, Moose Deer Point undertook a waste reduction project, they conducted waste audits in the community. Replaced disposable items in their community hall with reusables to reduce the amount of waste generated at community events.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depot

Georgina Island constructed a Household Hazardous Waste Depot to safely store HHW before it is transferred off the island. A cement pad for secondary containment was poured to ensure that nothing gets out into the natural environment as part of their land stewardship efforts.

Nipissing Waste App

The Nipissing First Nation Waste and Recycling App (The App) was launched October 29th, 2020. It allows for the community to utilize the waste wizard, schedule, and sign up for notifications. It is an excellent tool for providing community with the most up to date information available, and easily accessible to answer their questions.

Solid Waste Regulations & Guidelines

FEDERAL:

PROVINCIAL:

B.C.

British Columbia

  • The Environmental Management Act governs the management of waste in British Columbia. The act provides the authority for introducing wastes into the environment, while protecting our health and the environment. Specifically, the act enables the use of permits, regulations and codes of practice to authorize discharges to the environment and enforcement options, such as administrative penalties, orders and fines to encourage compliance.
  • The Waste Discharge Regulation defines what industries, activities and operations require authorizations to discharge or release waste to the air, water,
  • The Organic Matter Recycling Regulation of B.C. (OMRR) governs the construction and operation of compost facilities, and the production, distribution, storage, sale and use of biosolids and compost. It provides guidance for local governments and compost and biosolids producers, on how to use organic material while protecting soil quality and drinking water sources.
  • B.C. Recycling Regulation 

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Nunavut/ NWT/Yukon

Ontario

Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

Prince Edward Island

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre Courses:

SWM 101 – SWM & the Framework Agreement (FA)        Course | Workbook

SWM 102 – Municipal Type Service Agreements (MTSA’s) Course | Workbook

SWM 103 – Law-Making & Enforcement under the FA Course | Workbook

Other SWM learning opportunities:

Solid Waste Management Funding

NATIONAL:

BC:

  • The B.C. government has launched the Organics Infrastructure Program to provide funding to create additional organics processing capacity in the province.

OTHER:

SWM – Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs

B.C.

The province’s 17 Extended Producer Responsibility programs,

Saskatchewan:

 The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council:

  • Electronic Waste:  In Saskatchewan, EPRA-SK collects electronics via SARCAN depots, some retailers and one-day community collection events.
  • Fluorescent Bulbs: Saskatchewan is home to a fluorescent light recycler, K-Light Recycling in Regina. K-Light processes commercial lights as well as the ones collected by London Drugs.
  • Glass: As of January 2019, household glass can be dropped off at all SARCAN locations in Saskatoon, but these items do not carry a deposit
  • Styrofoam: London Drugs, in Saskatoon and Regina, as well as Crown Shred and & Recycling in Regina are the only options available to recycle Styrofoam in our province.  

Under The Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act, twelve producer responsibility organizations (PROs) have been established to enhance material recycling in Manitoba.

EPR PROGRAMS

SWM – Regional Resources &Associations

  • The Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG) -Offers training and resources to First Nations to implement zero waste systems within their communities.
  • RCBC Recycling Hotline is a free, province-wide live information service for recycling, pollution prevention, waste avoidance, safe disposal options and regulations. BC Toll-Free: 1-800-667-4321 Lower Mainland: 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) Email:    hotline@rcbc.ca

Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) manages the Recycling Hotline.

Email: hotline@recycle.ab.ca
Alberta CARE – The Association of Alberta Coordinated Action for Recycling Enterprises

For more information, please contact:

Stefanie Recollet – Solid Waste Management Specialist

    705-822-8875
   stefanie.recollet@labrc.com