Robins Environmental has been involved in developing numerous solid waste management master plans (SWMMP) and diversion strategies including the Region of York, City of Guelph, Halton Region, City of Regina, the Region of Peel, and the Towns of Hanover and Walkerton. In many cases, the SWMMP have addressed a wide range of waste management and diversion strategies including pay-as-you-throw (user pay) and sustainable financing, as well as policies and programs to promote waste diversion in the single family, multi-residential, industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) and construction/demolition (C&D) sectors.
Robins Environmental has managed projects to develop waste diversion strategies for small northern communities, including First Nation communities. The strategies have focused on providing cost effective recycling and waste diversion programs that meet the needs of the communities and provide the most convenient access to recycling and waste diversion programs.
Projects include:
Solid Waste Management Strategy, Regional Municipality of York
Member of the HDR team hired to develop a Solid Waste Management Strategy plan to provide a planning framework and strategic direction for the next twenty years. Lead researcher in identifying and evaluating waste reduction, diversion and disposal options to help the Region achieve 70% diversion in its residential, municipal, industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector and construction and demolition (C&D) sector. Also researching best practices in development of community environmental centres, public space recycling, greening of events and communications and social marketing. Has written six strategies for the Region to promote diversion in the multi-residential sector, the IC&I sector, the C&D sector, promote more reuse, repair, refurbishing and sharing and to reduce food wasteage.
City of Guelph Waste Management Master Plan, City of Guelph
Member of the Genivar team involved in preparing a Waste Management Master Plan for the City of Guelph. A key component of the project involves evaluating the implementation progress of recommended activities coming out of the previous Waste Management Master Plan (2008) and developing key performance indicators for the City to continue monitoring the progress of the activities. Also involved in developing and evaluating waste reduction, diversion and disposal options to help the City achieve 70% diversion in the single family, multi residential, IC&I and C&D sectors. Ms Robins helped facilitate steering group meetings and open houses.
Food Waste Strategy, York Region
Retained by York Region to help develop a food wastage strategy to education and empower York Region residents to reduce the amount of avoidable food waste generated in the home. From field to table 40% of all food generated in Canada is thrown out even through it was perfectly good to eat (at one point). Half of this avoidable food waste occurs in the home as a result of not using leftovers, cooking too much food or leaving food to rot. York Region recognizes that there is great opportunity to reduce its composting costs and environmental footprint by reducing the amount of food waste generated.
Waste Transformation Plan – Phase 1, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nations
Retained by the Pikwakanagan First Nations community, located near Pembroke, to develop a comprehensive waste transformation plan to help the community deal with high contamination rates in its recycling stream and evaluate alternative disposal options if it were to close its landfill. Tasks involved identifying new cost effective waste diversion programs and policies, conduct and train staff on a waste audit and set out monitoring program, conduct workshops to educate the community about recycling, develop a P&E strategy and evaluate alternative waste disposal options for the community.
Sudbury Area First Nation Recycling Program Implementation Evaluation, Continuous Improvement Fund,
Managed a project involving 21 First Nations (FN) communities situated in the Sudbury area, ranging from Tamagami to the north, Parry Sound to the South, North Bay to the east and Sault Ste. Marie to the west and including Manitoulin Island. The work required an evaluation of each FN community’s recycling program and the development of a recommended plan to enhance the existing program or implement a new program in a cost effective manner. During the project, Robins Environmental conducted interviews with staff in each of the 21 FN communities, contacted and interviewed staff in eight local recycling facilities, interviewed local communities for partnering opportunities and conducted two separate one-day interactive workshops to engage participating First Nation communities in the evaluation process and to deliver the recommendations to each community. An overview of promotion and education strategies and benefits was presented during the workshop with exercises to augment the presentations.
Recycling Program Implementation Evaluation for North Ontario communities, Continuous Improvement Fund,
Retained by the Continuous Improvement Fund to examine a variety of opportunities to provide recycling services to numerous Northern communities and identify the estimated costs associated with collection, transportation and processing of the recyclables. Tasks involved meeting with staff in each community and together to discuss recycling needs and partnership opportunities. A range of collection, storage, hauling and processing opportunities were evaluated to determine the most suitable and cost effective system for each community and as a partnership. The following four separate contracts were completed:
-
Recycling Program Development Plan For Sault North Waste Management Council, 2010
-
Recycling Program Implementation Evaluation for the communities of Wawa, Dubreuilville and White River, 2010
-
Recycling Program Implementation Evaluation for the communities of Red Rock, Nipigon, Schreiber, and Terrace Bay, 2009
-
Exploring Recycling Partnership Opportunities in the Town of Mattawa, the Township of Papineau-Cameron, Calvin Township and others, 2009