Draft 2- Waste Diversion Plan for Vaisakhi Vancouver

Vancouver
Vaisakhi
Parade
2016 Sustainability Plan
Sikh tradition begins
with the simple
premise that all the
universe is sacred and
worthy of respect.
Every bush, ant, and
tree is, in its own way,
engaged in worship
(sikhnet.com)
Prepared, in part, by Poonam Sandhu
Mpsandhu604@gmail.com
1
1
Waste Reduction at Vaisakhi
In 2014 and 2015 the Vaisakhi Parade partnered with the City of Vancouver (CoV) to set up a
Green Zone along Main Street (between 49th Avenue and 53rd Avenue). The Green Zone
contained roughly ten waste stations used to collect recyclables, food scraps, drink containers
and garbage. The waste stations were staffed with one to two volunteers for most of the day.
Collections
Successes
Data from both years was made available through the through Mr. Peter Chi from the CoV
Sanitation Department. When comparing 2015 with the prior year, several positive outcomes
were seen including: a 54% reduction in the amount of waste collected, a 25% increase in the
collection of cardboard and containers and a 181% increase in waste recycled in the Green
Zone. Data for organics collection was not available.
Table 1: Green Zone Waste Metrics (COV, 2015)
Year
Waste
Recycling (cardboard
and containers)
2014
4400kg
730kg
2015
2020kg
910kg
% Change
-54%
25%
Percent of waste
recycled
16%
45%
181%
Challenges
Even with the successes above, waste collection in 2015 faced ongoing barriers. These
included: non-uniform placement of the bins, ineffective labeling (based on language of
dominant population attending the parade), poor waste station staffing ratio and insufficient
training for the staff. In addition, the parade does not have a system to remove waste from
overflowing waste containers.
Plan for future Vaisakhi Parades
For optimal performance waste stations must be:
1. At predictable locations (see recommendation on map APPENDIX A),
2. Staffed with one person per bin fluent in both English and Punjabi (or Hindi),
3. Labeled properly (using text in both languages and pictures), and
4. Serviced routinely to limit overflow and cross contamination.
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2
Checklist for Vaisakhi 2016
Before
o Meet with the City to revise plan for parade parameters.
o Map out a larger Green Zone: Main Street from 49th to 53th.
o Expand Green Zone from 49th from Main to Prince Edward Street.
o Determine how the Green Zone will “stand out” for the crowd
o Within the Green Zone, block off all alleyways west of Main Street
(these will be used to haul waste between waste stations and roll offs).
o Confirm waste hauler
o Rent or source two golf carts (will be used to move waste during the event)
o Rent or source tents
o Assign a representative to hire, train and manage the Waste Station Staff.
o Two staff members should be of driving age for the golf carts.
During
o At the waste stations, staff one person per bin.
o Orient the 30-40 waste station staff to their assigned tent/teams.
o Service the stations minimum once per hour or more frequently.
o Use golf carts to move waste every hour or more frequently to the roll offs.
o Do announcements from the various stages to remind people where waste
stations are, where bathroom stations are, and remind them to divert their
waste.
o Once supplies have been exhausted, tape the bin lids up and count all items
collected from that point forward as garbage.
After
o Have staff close down their stations, put away signs and bins, and fold up
tent if needed.
o Staff should wash (gel) their hands before exiting their shifts.
o City of Vancouver to measure waste diverted based on volumes of
(appropriate) waste sorted in roll offs/trucks.
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Appendix A
Weblink to Green Zone map with markers:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zuoDeaikMJe8.kneHigpU-
Garbage/recycling
truck or roll off
Drinking water
stations
Sani station (waste
bins + potties as
depicted below)
194 E 51st Ave
4
Vancouver, British Columbia
Street View - May 2014
Extra set of bins in the back so that full
bin can be exchanged for empty ones.
Full bins will be picked up by the golf
cart and contents dumped into the
appropriate roll off.