Waste Audit in Fredericton Highlights Opportunities for Sustainable Waste Management Aligned with SDGs

Overview of the Waste Audit

In early November, the City of Fredericton conducted a comprehensive waste audit involving 80 homes across various neighbourhoods. The audit, carried out by GFL Environmental, aimed to assess the composition of curbside garbage and identify opportunities to divert waste from landfills through recycling, composting, and donation. This initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Findings from the Audit

The audit revealed that over 60% of the material disposed of in garbage bags could be diverted from landfill. The detailed breakdown is as follows:

1. 38% was classified as real trash requiring landfill disposal.
2. 32% was compostable material suitable for compost bins.
3. 19% consisted of recyclables appropriate for blue or grey bins or yard waste bags.
4. 8% could have been taken to redemption centres for recycling.
5. 3% included items such as e-waste, household hazardous waste, or donations.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The audit highlights significant potential to reduce waste through improved sorting and diversion practices, promoting sustainable consumption patterns.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By enhancing waste management systems, Fredericton can foster a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing organic waste and diverting recyclables lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfill decomposition and resource extraction.

Financial and Environmental Benefits

Assuming typical household behaviour, the city could save approximately $300,000 annually in tipping fees by diverting recyclables and yard waste from landfill. Additional savings of $125,000 could be realized if residents maximize the use of depot recycling programs. These financial incentives align with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting efficient resource use and cost savings.

Challenges Identified

• Residents were not informed prior to the audit to ensure natural behaviour, revealing widespread contamination of recyclables in garbage bins.
• Large quantities of pumpkins and other organic waste were found in trash, indicating a need for better public awareness of composting options.
• Confusion and lack of awareness contributed to improper disposal of electronics, batteries, and hazardous materials.

Actions and Partnerships for Improvement

The City of Fredericton plans to collaborate with organizations such as Circular Materials, Encorp, Recycle New Brunswick, and the Fredericton Climate Hub to develop educational materials and baseline data for future waste reduction programs. This collaboration supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Community Engagement and Education

The Fredericton Climate Hub, funded by a city grant, is developing a waste reduction program focused on:

• Educating residents on proper waste sorting and bin usage.
• Reducing food waste, which constituted nearly 50% of organic waste in the audit.

Volunteer Patrick Schilf emphasized the climate impact of food waste, noting its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions throughout the food supply chain. The Hub aims to replicate successful campaigns like Vancouver’s “Love Food Hate Waste” to encourage behaviour change in Fredericton.

Context and Future Directions

The waste audit serves as a critical baseline for measuring progress in waste management improvements. It aligns with New Brunswick’s 2023 provincial waste management strategy, which includes:

• Implementation of extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper waste.
• Introduction of new recycling programs for glass and flexible plastics.
• Promotion of backyard composting and increased yard waste collection frequency.

Jillian Hudgins, the city’s environmental strategist, highlighted that such audits are standard municipal practices to identify contamination and improvement opportunities, reinforcing Fredericton’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Focus on waste management and sustainable urban living.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Emphasis on waste reduction, recycling, composting, and extended producer responsibility.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Addressing food waste as a contributor to climate change and reducing emissions.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Reducing landfill waste and promoting composting to protect terrestrial ecosystems.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to waste management.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Waste Composition and Diversion Rates
   • Percentage of waste diverted from landfill through recycling, composting, donation, or other means (e.g., 60% diversion rate identified in the audit).
   • Weight and proportion of organic waste in total waste (e.g., 50% organic material noted).
2. Financial Savings from Waste Reduction
   • Cost savings in tipping fees due to waste diversion (e.g., $300,000 saved by removing recyclables and yard waste, $125,000 from depot program usage).
3. Behavioral Indicators
   • Levels of contamination in recycling bins and compliance with waste sorting guidelines.
   • Public awareness and participation rates in waste reduction programs.
4. Program Implementation and Baseline Data
   • Use of audit data as baseline to measure future success of waste management programs.
   • Tracking adoption of extended producer responsibility programs and composting initiatives.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca