Metro Vancouver

Previously known as transfer stations, Metro Vancouver’s solid waste facilities are being renamed to recycling and waste centres to better describe their purpose and the services available. Read all about it in the Metro Vancouver Update newsletter.

Metro Vancouver is recognized as one of the most livable regions in the world. Join Metro Vancouver Board Chair Sav Dhaliwal and host Jaeny Baik in Chat with the Chair as they discuss the regional district's governance structure and the importance of collaboration for a resilient and prosperous region. #MetroVancouver See more Chat with the Chair videos at www.metrovancouver.org/chatwiththechair

Metro Vancouver has completed the first phase in a study to assess existing transit and cycling options at regional parks. Most visitors come to regional parks by car. The study is part of an initiative to investigate ways to increase access to regional parks by public transit, biking or walking. Click for more in the Metro Vancouver Update newsletter.

The Metro Vancouver region continues to be one of the most successful communities in North America when it comes to waste reduction and recycling. We recycle almost twice as many materials as the Canadian average and send one third less waste to landfill. Learn more in the Metro Vancouver Update newsletter.

During Summer 2020, the Western Hemlock Looper moth outbreak in Metro Vancouver hit the North Shore particularly hard, contributing to tree defoliation. But Looper outbreaks are natural processes that contribute to long-term ecosystem resilience and forest health.

You are invited to watch a free livestream featuring keynote speaker Dr. Handel Wright and a panel of storytellers sharing their first-hand experience and ideas for what we can do to tackle the challenge of systemic racism in our region. Streaming live on the following dates: - Saturday, November 21, 2020, 9:30am... Watch live at: http://www.metrovancouver.org//livestre/Pages/default.aspx Recent events in Canada and the United States, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront and prompted all orders of government to take a much closer look at racial discrimination and develop strategies to address this long standing issue. An important step in addressing systemic issues is to listen to those affected by them.

Metro Vancouver conducts solid waste audits in our region's garbage to help plan future programs or policies. This year's solid waste audit has shown a surge in new items related to COVID-19 personal protection equipment (PPE) such as single-use masks, face shields, and gloves.

Read about what the new wood smoke bylaw may mean for Metro Vancouver residents in #CaringfortheAir 2020: http://www.metrovancouver.org//Air/CaringfortheAir2020.pdf

The Heather Place Redevelopment Project will replace 86 aging housing units with 230 new rentals. The units will be designed to suit a range of families, couples, singles, and seniors with a mix of incomes. Partnering with BC Housing, "Building A" opened July 2020 and includes 67 homes of varying sizes, from studios to 3-bedroom, and wheelchair accessible units.

Metro Vancouver recently added 56.3 hectares to the Codd Wetland Ecological Conservancy. Acquired in 2004, the conservancy area protects a wetland home to a wide variety of plants, birds, fish, mammals and amphibians. But in this lookback from 2002, we see the area was almost developed as a cranberry farm. #ThrowbackThursday City of Pitt Meadows The Land Conservancy of British Columbia

Metro Moment Episode 9 features: Looper Moths and healthy forest regeneration; a Canadian survey finds a reduction in household food waste during COVID; and Metro Vancouver's annual collaborative process for Financial Planning is being finalized.

Metro Vancouver is constructing two new solid waste facilities: Coquitlam Transfer Station and the Surrey Recycling & Waste Drop-Off Facility, providing convenient recycling and waste services for a growing population in those cities. http://www.metrovancouver.org//engageme/Pages/default.aspx

CAN CRAFT SAVE THE WORLD? The Zero Waste Conference is pleased to welcome Katie Treggiden writer, speaker and author with a recently released book profiling designers, makers and manufacturers that are turning waste streams into raw materials. #ZWC20 https://zwcblog.org//design-creativity-for-a-waste-free-w/

Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is undergoing a range of improvements. One involves replacing the equipment inside the trickling filters. But first, the massive dome atop the trickling filter - the size of an Olympic-sized pool weighing about 30 full size vehicles - has to be removed.

Recent events in Canada and the United States as well as the COVID-19 pandemic have brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront and prompted all orders of government to take a much closer look at racial discrimination and develop strategies to address this long standing issue. An important step in addressing systemic issues is to listen to those affected by them. You are invited to watch a free livestream starting at noon today featuring keynote speaker Dr. Handel Wright and a panel of storytellers sharing their first-hand experience and ideas for what we can do to tackle the challenge of systemic racism in our region. Watch live at: http://www.metrovancouver.org//livestre/Pages/default.aspx

Anything with a battery or plug can be recycled, but many electronics can be reused first. The BC Tech for Learning Society has been repurposing donated computer equipment to provide to those in need for more than 30 years. #Swap #Repair #WasteReductionWeek

Thank you to everyone who joined this year’s Zero Waste Conference! This was our first time running an all-virtual format and it was great to see all the discussions in the chat and breakout sessions. Visit zwc.ca for updates & conference materials. #ZWC20 #metrovancouver #zerowaste #circulareconomy

Today, the Cleveland Dam spillway gate released a large volume of water into Capilano River during maintenance. We resolved the problem this afternoon and river levels have normalized. We are conducting a full investigation and will provide additional information when available.

Food waste costs Canadian families $1,100 every year. As a proud partner of Love Food Hate Waste Canada / J’aime manger, pas gaspiller Canada, we are committed to helping you prevent food waste while saving money at the same time. Love Food Hate Waste Canada is a one stop resource for all your food saving tips, tricks, and recipes. #WasteReductionWeek

Register for the 2020 Zero Waste Conference to be inspired, gain new insights, join the circular economy conversation - www.zwc.ca. The 2018 event focussed on key issues of: Materials and Design Innovation, Business Model Transformation, Digital Technologies Enabling Change, Plastics Innovation, and Food Loss and Waste. The circular economy offers hope for a world where prosperity does not come at the cost of the environment. #throwbackthursday #ZWC20 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council

The 2020 Zero Waste Conference is accelerating the transition to a circular and zero waste economy. Register today at www.zwc.ca. In this encore of the 2015 event, big picture visionaries to leading edge entrepreneurs embracing zero waste ambitions presented insights to a future without waste. #throwbackthursday #ZWC20 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council

Metro Vancouver is hiring a Maintenance Mechanic (Heavy Duty Mechanic or Millwright) to be part of our Liquid Waste Services Department. Follow this link to our Careers page where you can submit your application by October 7, 2020: www.metrovancouver.org/about/careers/Pages/default.aspx

Today's Waste Reduction Week theme is textiles. A good reminder to reduce, repair, and donate your clothing to minimize waste. Learn more at www.clothesarentgarbage.ca

Orange Shirt Day September 30th, honours Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada. We invite you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day in our video story from 2017.

Sunny skies are back, but don’t forget all that rain that soaked lawns last week. An hour a week of watering including rainfall is all your lawn needs to stay healthy. Watering regulations are in effect until October 15. Find details here: ow.ly/pNDZ50BDxiI

It's time for a Nature Break with black-tailed deer.

Banana slugs are native inhabitants of our cool, damp forested regional parks. They are nature’s recyclers, converting dead and decaying organic matter into rich soil.

Update: Due to evolving concerns with COVID-19, in-person participation is no longer available. However, please join us for an amazing virtual conference experience. For those have already registered for in-person, we will be contacting you to refund your registration and re-register you for the virtual experience. www.zwc.ca #ZWC20

For 10 years the Zero Waste Conference has been at the forefront of Canada's circular economy journey. Featuring Keynote speakers: neuroscientist Beau Lotto, ecology academic Chelsea Rochman, architect Michael Green, and fashion pioneer Suzanne Lee. Sessions include: new materials, the built environment, and how to build back better. Join us for the 10th anniversary Zero Waste Conference November 13th for a global, virtual event with a live studio audience. www.zwc.ca

We are pleased to announce the award of $140,000 in Regional Culture Project Grants to 29 organizations for 2020. These grants help arts organizations create new programs, reach new audiences and cover staffing and administrative needs. http://www.metrovancouver.org//metro-vancouver-awards-2020

As businesses opened with COVID-19 protocols in place, the City of North Vancouver’s Open Streets Action Plan encourages safe walking, cycling and business operations across the City by creating more space on streets and sidewalks.

Getting rid of stuff? Help keep our neighbourhoods clean. Check www.wasteinitsplace.ca to see if your municipality offers a large-item pickup program or to find other options for disposal of household items.

Metro Moment Episode 8 features an update on the Northwest Langley Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion project. Nature programs and field trips go virtual in Regional Parks, and a pilot project uses hydrothermal processes to create biocrude oil.

The Government of Canada made international news last week with the announcement of the next phase in a plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. The Zero Waste Conference is pleased to welcome The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, to the Keynote Conversation in the Solving the Plastics Challenge in One Generation session. Register today! https://zwcblog.org//just-announced-canadas-minister-of-e/ #ZWC2020 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council.

We invite you to join us at one of the world’s foremost conferences on the circular economy and zero waste. Register for the 2020 Zero Waste Conference at www.zwc.ca. In this lookback at the 2014 event, the focus was best practices and collaboration in the supply chain and how we design, manufacture, and consume products. #throwbackthursday #ZWC20 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council

What weighs tens of thousands of tonnes, travels over 100 km/h, and takes 2 km to stop? The average train. It’s no competition. Stay off the tracks and stay safe. Rail safety is an important issue for Metro Vancouver. As home to the largest port in Canada, our communities have extensive rail networks that are key to local, provincial and national economies. You can #STOPTrackTragedies by learning how to be safe near railways at www.operationlifesaver.ca Operation Lifesaver Canada

Register for the 2020 Zero Waste Conference at www.zwc.ca. For this year as in previous years' events, you'll be treated to thought-provoking speakers and panelists sharing real-world solutions and insights about the circular economy and waste prevention. 2017 solidified the Zero Waste Conference's reputation as a must-attend event. #throwbackthursday #ZWC2020 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council

The latest research on ocean plastics points to the same conclusion: we are at a critical crossroads for the future of our world’s oceans. Join us at the 2020 Zero Waste Conference for a conversation with Dr. Chelsea Rochman, one of Canada’s leading ocean plastics scientists, to explore how Canada can rise to the challenge of tackling plastic pollution in one generation. https://zwcblog.org//its-not-too-late-to-turn-the-tide-on/ #ZWC20

Have your say on the new Regional Greenways 2050 draft plan: a vision for a gap-free network of multi-use paths connected to parks, protected natural areas & communities. http://www.metrovancouver.org//public-consultat/greenways/

Whether you commute by train or pass through rail crossings in your neighbourhood, remember that rail safety is a shared responsibility. More than 2,100 people are hurt or killed in railway crossing or trespassing incidents every year in North America nearly all are preventable. You can #STOPTrackTragedies by learning how to be safe near railways at www.operationlifesaver.ca Operation Lifesaver Canada

Metro Vancouver is hiring a Maintenance Mechanic (Heavy Duty Mechanic or Millwright) and the deadline has been extended to October 7, 2020.

Metro Vancouver has ended the fine particulate matter Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District that has been in effect since September 8, 2020. Air quality has improved due to cleaner marine air flowing into the region. Although fine particulate matter concentrations have decreased significantly, pockets of local smoke might still be visible in parts of the region as smoke concentrations can vary as winds and temperatures change.

You can bring your own bag to most stores, but you might need to pack it yourself #BringYourBag If you have extra plastic bags as a result of recent in-store guidelines, you can find locations to recycle them at www.mvrecycles.org

If it has a battery or plug, it can be recycled. Find locations to recycle your used batteries and electronics free of charge @ www.mvrecycles.org

Metro Vancouver is continuing the fine particulate matter advisory that has been in effect since September 8 for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District due to wildfire smoke from outside the region. Wildfire smoke from fires in Washington, Oregon and California continues to persist in the region. Air quality has continued to improve since yesterday but ground-level smoke still remains and is expected to remain today. A weather system forecast for tonight is expected to bring further improvements tomorrow and through the weekend.

The National Zero Waste Council asked 1,200 Canadians how their food planning, storage, and consumption habits have changed this year. They found that 84% of Canadians agree that food waste is an important national issue. See more results below, and visit https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/get-inspir/food-waste-in-2020/ for the full report and tips to prevent food waste at home.

Continued Air Quality Advisory for fine particulate matter for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District due to wildfire smoke from outside the region. Wildfire smoke from fires in Washington, Oregon and California continues to persist in the region. Ground-level smoke remains and is expected to remain in the region through tomorrow at least. A weather system forecast for Friday is expected to bring further improvements on Friday and into Saturday. Localized smo...ke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes. In the city of New Westminster, a timber wharf at Westminster Pier Park continues to burn producing local smoke. For New Westminster and surrounding areas, please follow the advice provided by Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca//air-quality-advisory-for-new-westminster- See more

For 10 years, the Zero Waste Conference has been at the forefront of Canada’s circular economy journey. This year's conference is Nov 13; register at www.zwc.ca. Our 3rd annual event showcased efforts to work collaboratively at all levels to move from managing waste to eliminating it, and set the stage for a broad public conversation and call to action with the launch of Canada's National Zero Waste Council. #throwbackthursday #ZWC20 is presented in collaboration with National Zero Waste Council