Edition 5: June 2007

Effectiveness and Efficiency Fund (E&E Fund) Manager’s Notes
The E&E Fund is approaching its third anniversary, with a total of 74 projects approved for funding with a total value of $13.6 million. The range and diversity of projects continues to grow as communities focus on identifying changes that they need to make to truly make a difference.

A key area for many programs is Promotion and Education (P&E). In recognition of its value and the challenge of creating effective P&E, Recyclers’ Knowledge Network has just launched a new P&E module developed by AMRC to help you to develop and expand your P&E program. It’s easy to use and gives you immediate access to some of the most effective recycling P&E materials developed by recycling coordinators across the province. I hope you’ll have a chance to use it soon! Capital funding is another area of concern for many programs as is reflected in the growth of E&E Fund applications in this area. As illustrated in two of the project highlights below, project support for capital projects is available on a case by case basis.

In this issue of In-the-Loop we are launching a new continuous online survey. From now on, each issue will conclude with a single question on which we would appreciate your feedback. Each subsequent issue will report on results and pose a new question. We hope you will take a minute to share your opinions. As always, I encourage you to develop applications with your thoughts and strategies to address the areas that are of concern in your community. Please be sure to call or email us if you have any questions or comments. 

Geoff Love: glove@stewardshipontario.ca; 416-594-3460, E&E Fund Manager

Job Posting: Northern Ontario Blue Box Program Technical Advisor
The Municipal-Industry Programs Committee (MIPC) has filled the position for a Blue Box Program Technical Support Advisor for Northern Ontario. This is an eighteen month job contract, based in Sudbury, in which the successful applicant will visit each or most Northern Ontario recycling programs, providing advice on technical issues and tendering, and facilitating market development, recyclables’ transportation, promotion and education and other key issues that can contribute to enhanced efficiencies among northern recycling programs.

E&E Fund Project Updates 

City of London’s RFP Peer Review Process and Guide (PN 265)
Procurement for recycling contracts is a “best practice” issue for Ontario communities and offers a significant opportunity to increase program cost effectiveness. In light of this, the City of London has teamed with Guilford and Associates, the Region of York and the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority to peer review the process through which London is currently developing Request for Proposals for a new regional MRF and collection contract.  With $30,000 support from the E&E Fund, the peer review process will provide advice to the city about how to apply a ”best practice” approach to the procurement process, and develop. When complete, the guide will be shared through the Recyclers’ Knowledge Network.

View the project description: PN 265 

Capital Funding for Multi-family Recycling in Elliot Lake (PN 241)
The E&E Fund has provided a $16,000 capital grant to assist the City of Elliot Lake to roll out curbside recycling services for two major multi-family areas.  Building residents currently have access to depot collection only. By setting up three on-site bulk bin recycling depots and providing promotion and educational support the city expects to significantly increase recovery from the buildings and will closely monitor and report on the  results.

View the project description: PN 241 

Region of Durham’s Automated Sorting System for Plastics (PN 237)
The Region of Durham will be installing two “Pellenc” optical plastic sort machines, capable of sorting containers at a rate of 7.1 tonnes/hour at its new MRF in Whitby. When the machines are up and running, they are expected to help process 50,000 tonnes/year, reducing processing costs by $1.9 million per year and increasing the quality of processed PET, HDPE, tetrapak/aseptic and tubs/lids. The E&E Fund is providing $317,250 for this project with matching funding to be provided by the Region or other sources.

View the project description: PN 237 

Event Update

Spring Ontario Recycler Workshop (ORW)
The spring ORW, that was held in London, Ontario on May 17 attracted nearly 150 people who attended in person and over the webcast. In addition to updates on technical and P&E projects, this session featured the first announcement of results of the Blue Box Recycling Enhancement and Best Practices Assessment project. The slide presentations, archived webcast and the posters from this session are all available at our website. Participants are also encouraged to complete a survey if you have not already done so. The next ORW will be held in Toronto in the fall. 

To view ORW presentations please click on: Spring 2007 ORW

To view the Draft Blue Box Best Practices Project Report please click on: Draft Blue Box Program Enhancement and Best Practices Project Report 

In Your Opinion

We would appreciate if you would take time to respond to a single question survey. You can complete the survey at any time and in each issue, we will provide feedback from the previous issues’ responses. 

Question:  What is the greatest challenge for your recycling program in deploying effective P&E? 

To type in your response, please click here: my response.

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For more information on any item in this publication, please contact Geoff Love, glove@stewardshipontario.ca or 416-594-3460.