Vancouver’s high production of recyclable C&D waste has caused a regional government warning that there is not enough capacity to handle it, a report from 24 Hours Vancouver says.
About half of the 3.3 million tons of waste generated by the area comes from the construction, demolition and land clearing industries, Paul Henderson, general manager of solid waste services with Metro Vancouver, said in the report. And according to studies conducted by Metro Vancouver, that number has increased by 38 percent since 2011.
The report says that Vancouver’s housing market is to blame—new housing construction has increased by 17 percent since 2011, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data. About three-quarters of all C&D waste is already being recycled, but the area’s 12 recycling facilities are reaching capacity, the report says.
Despite this concern, the regional body will not invest in additional facilities, but hope that an increased supply will cause private facilities to open.
Currently, recycling rates have continued to increase, though the regional body notes that about 14 percent of the wood ending up at landfills is good, recyclable-quality material.