New Organic Waste Disposal System – January 2015

February 11, 2015 - 2 minutes read

The way we manage our waste is changing.

Starting January 2015 all compostable organic materials including food waste and packaged food will need to be separated from regular garbage. The organic disposal ban will apply to all schools, residents and businesses in Metro Vancouver. Surcharges will be applied if food waste is not separated.

This initiative aligns closely with already-established Environmental and Sustainability goals in our school district.  Student education programs will incorporate guidelines outlined by the Metro Vancouver Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan (ISWRMP). School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Chairs, Hot Lunch Coordinators and District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) representatives met in June 2014 and were notified of the upcoming Organic Waste Ban. WVS staff will continue to work with representatives to establish guidelines and implement plans in our schools.

As a first step in this process, we are implementing the “Pack-in/Pack-out” lunch waste program in our elementary schools. Please encourage your child to pack home any leftover food items from snacks and lunches each day and use reusable containers. This will be a common goal for all students in our district.  Benefits include: less organic waste in our school bins, increased student awareness of food consumption and consumerism, and increased student awareness of sustainability issues in our region.

Examples of organic material to be separated from regular garbage:

  • Meats and fish
  • Bones and seafood shells
  • Eggshells
  • Pasta, bread and rice
  • Dairy products
  • Sauces, dressings, etc.
  • Vegetable and fruit peels, seeds and pits
  • Desserts
  • Coffee grounds/filters and tea bags
  • Food soiled paper products (no plastic)
    • pizza boxes
    • paper plates/cups
    • paper towels/napkins
    • paper egg cartons
    • food-soiled newspaper
    • paper bags and kraft paper liner bags used for collecting scraps

More information:

If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Tomlinson – Director of Instruction: ltomlinson@wvschools.ca