Vancouver has already been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the world.
But in order to keep Vancouver as one of the top livable cities, officials are looking at different ways to keep the city green, CKNW reports.
Earlier this week, the Vancouver City Council released its report on how it plans to tackle city waste.The report concluded that by 2020, the city wants to reduce solid waste going to landfills and incinerators in half from its 2008 levels. In order to achieve this goal the report proposes the city needs to perform the following:
– Reduce street litter and abandoned garbage in public spaces.
– Assess opportunities to target the distribution, use and recycling of single use, difficult to recycle materials (disposable coffee cups, plastic shopping bags and fast food packages).
– Support Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge through the development of education and enforcement strategies for all sectors.
Vancouver officials also reported that the city wants to find ways to restrict the amount of plastic bags, fast food containers and paper coffee cups that end up as litter on public streets.
“A significant amount of these materials are disposed in the city’s litter and garbage collection program, and reducing their distribution at the point of sale, if possible, is preferable from a waste management and environmental protection perspective,” reads the report.
Another way city officials plan on reducing waste is by allowing city staff to issue fines and stiffer penalties to those who are responsible for: overflowing dumpsters, unsecured loads, and illegal dumping.
City staff are proposing amendments to current city bylaws that would intensify penalties as well as include a new fine structure, something that is long overdue.
“[We were] arguing for a much higher fine but in the end Councillors agreed with city staff that a $100 fine could be issued daily for repeat offences and they believe that would have the desired impact,” said Charles Gauthier, President of The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.
Gauthier also said part of this new initiative will make sure that businesses are doing their part to combat unwanted waste: “We also require this new bylaw that will make it a requirement for building and business owners to go out and sweep infront of their businesses. I mean they should be doing that anyway. You want to welcome people to your business, you should make your entrance as clean as possible and not expect the city to do that work for them.”
The proposed new fine structure has simple waste infractions at a $100 fine, while a leaking vehicle can cost you $250. But if you get caught for illegal dumping, you could receive a fine between $2,000-$10,000.
Before moving forward with these recommendations city council first needs approval from the province. If the approval is granted then Vancouver will need to get feedback from those affected by the proposal.
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