COUNTY OF SIMCOE
To:
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Section:
Consent - Corporate Services – Solid Waste Management
Item Number:
CCW 15-241
Meeting Date:
September 22, 2015
Subject:
Solid Waste Management Strategy Update – Consulting Services
Recommendation:
THAT Item CCW 15-241, regarding the procurement of consulting services for the Solid Waste
Management Strategy update, the selected proponent, and next steps, be received for information.
Executive Summary:
The process to update the Solid Waste Management Strategy (Strategy) continues. On July 9, 2015,
the County issued RFP 2015-077 for consulting services related to this update, the first since the
Strategy was approved in 2010. The scope of work includes deliverables such as consultant reports,
assistance with public and stakeholder consultation, and presentations to County Council at key
milestones. Four proposals were submitted in response and evaluated based on criteria related to the
firm and project team’s experience with waste management planning. The selected proponent was
HDR Corporation who outlined considerable expertise and consulting experience related to long-term
waste resource management. Current project experience includes the City of Toronto’s Long Term
Waste Management Strategy and York Region’s Integrated Waste Management Master Plan. In
addition, the Project Manager, Ms. Janine Ralph, has previous experience working with the County’s
Strategy and has presented to County Council on various occasions.
The update process will now shift to consider potential options and initiatives which will define the next
five years of waste management operations. It is anticipated that as directed by County Council, a
workshop to present and discuss Report No. 2 – Potential Options and Initiatives will occur on
December 8, 2015. (Please refer to Item CCW 15-330 for details regarding the proposed special
meeting.)
Background/Analysis/Options:
The County’s Solid Waste Management Strategy (Strategy) was approved by County Council in 2010
and provides the framework for both short- and long-term diversion and waste disposal programs. Its
vision emphasises a commitment to diversion and reducing the demand for disposal of residual waste.
In addition, it outlines a mandate to ensure secure and cost-effective long-term processing or disposal
September 22, 2015
Committee of the Whole CCW 15-241
2
capacity. An update was recommended to be completed at various times throughout the Strategy’s
planning period as detailed timelines could not realistically be developed beyond a 5-year period.
This first update of the Strategy was initiated in early 2015, with County Council approving a general
process and timeline for the review. Given the scope of the Strategy, the update will be multi-staged
and comprehensive, provided in a series of three main reports to County Council:
Report No. 1 – Current Status Report
Report No. 2 – Potential Options and Initiatives
Report No. 3 – Approved Recommendations and Initiatives
Report No. 1 – Current Status Report
Report No. 1, presented to County Council in May (Item CCW 15-180 – Solid Waste Management
Strategy Update – Current Status Report, May 26, 2015) provided an overview of initiatives that have
been undertaken since the Strategy’s inception and documented the successes, challenges, and
deferred tasks. In regards to system performance, it noted the following:

the County’s diversion rate is relatively stagnant approaching 60% – with no significant increase
since the inception of the organics program in 2008. This is largely attributed to decreasing
capture of curbside organics, with a capture rate of approximately 37% (from initial 2015 data,
down from 44% in 2012). This decreased capture of organics has been offset by increased
diversion programs at our facilities;

the per capita waste generation rate has increased 18% since the 2010 (+3.6% per year), failing
to meet the County-approved target of a minimum 1% annual decrease;

per capita waste generation continues to increase and the per capita waste reduction target of a
minimum of 1% is not being met;

waste disposed per capita continues to increase; and

given the 2015 audit data, diversion statistics, and increasing waste generation, it is apparent
that the two diversion targets set for 2020 (71%) and 2030 (77%) cannot be met without
substantial system changes.
This report also noted that in June 2013, Council deferred consideration of two major initiatives to this
2015 update – pursuing further restrictions on curbside garbage (such as pay-as-you-throw or a
mandatory diversion by-law) and development of landfills Site 9 – Medonte and Site 12 – Sunnidale (for
contingency garbage disposal). In a broader sense, it is anticipated that the next planning period will
entail three main considerations for Council:

the County’s stagnant diversion rate and potential options which could produce some gain –
including furthering restrictions on curbside garbage;

limited landfill capacity within the County and future planning for garbage disposal and/or
processing; and

effectively planning for future servicing in regards to drop-off waste management facilities.
The timing of this update was discussed as there remain uncertainties regarding new provincial
extended/full producer responsibility (EPR/FPR) legislation, set to replace the existing Waste Diversion
Act. County Council directed that the Strategy update cautiously move forward with a revised timeline,
allowing for some flexibility to align with the pending legislation. Also, direction was received to
proceed with the procurement of consulting services related to this update.
September 22, 2015
Committee of the Whole CCW 15-241
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Procurement of Consulting Services
RFP 2015-077 – Consulting Services – Solid Waste Management Strategy Update, was issued by the
County in early July. It outlined various tasks related to reviewing the existing system and determining
various options and initiatives for all areas of waste management operations (collections, facilities,
transfer, recycling and organics processing, garbage disposal and processing, and public education).
In total, the scope of work was broken into six tasks pertaining to deliverables such as consultant
reports, public consultation and stakeholder meetings, and presentations to Council at various stages
of the process.
In summary, the objectives of this series of consulting tasks are as follows:

assess and refine, if required, projections for diversion rates and materials, quantities of residual
waste, and remaining landfill capacity;

identify and evaluate a range of alternatives to meet the future waste management needs of the
County and to facilitate program delivery both in regards to curbside collection and at facilities;

provide alternatives for transfer, recycling and organics processing, and garbage disposal
and/or processing and identification of upgrades or expansions to existing facilities and
infrastructure that may be required to support future programs and growth;

provide an overview of the status of waste management outside of the County – including
updated information on municipal comparators, provincial legislation, and current trends both in
North America and globally; and

develop an implementation plan with a series of initiatives – providing direction for waste
management operations over the subsequent 5 years.
Evaluation and Results
RFP 2015-077, which was issued on July 9, 2015 and closed on July 28, 2015, resulted in the
submission of four proposals. These proposals were subsequently evaluated by committee on criteria
related to both the firm and project team’s experience in waste management planning.
The proponent with the highest overall score was HDR Corporation. This firm, established in 1917,
offers a wide range of engineering and environmental consulting services. As indicated in their
technical proposal, their waste management team has considerable expertise and consulting
experience related to integrated waste management planning and long-term waste resource
management. Current project experience includes the City of Toronto’s Long Term Waste
Management Strategy and York Region’s Integrated Waste Management Master Plan. In addition, the
Project Manager, Ms. Janine Ralph, has previous experience working with the County’s Strategy and
has presented to County Council on various occasions.
Moving Forward
The Project Team met on August 26, 2015 to discuss the County’s Strategy, this update, and to begin
preparations for the first deliverable. This key report will be in preparation for a workshop, anticipated
to occur on December 8, 2015, presenting various options and initiatives to County Council for
discussion and direction. This will be followed by a period of public and stakeholder consultation in
early 2016.
September 22, 2015
Committee of the Whole CCW 15-241
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Financial and Resource Implications:
The total value of this work, $105,368, falls under the allocated funds of $150,000, as set in the 2015
Solid Waste Management Operating Budget. Note that these budgeted funds will also be allocated
towards costs associated with upcoming public consultation and advertising. It is expected that a
portion of this year’s budget will be brought forward into 2016 with final completion of the update.
Relationship to Corporate Strategies:
As outlined in Section 14.2 of the Strategy, it was recommended that periodic reviews and updates to
the Strategy be conducted at various times throughout the 20-year planning period as detailed timelines
could not realistically be developed beyond the 5-year planning period. The purpose of the first review
is to outline the goals and objectives met in previous years, summarize issues that may have hindered
implementation of the Strategy, provide a detailed implementation timeline for the next planning period,
and to potentially adjust the waste diversion and/or per capita waste reduction targets.
Reference Documents:
Solid Waste Management Strategy, Appendices, and Annual Reports
http://www.simcoe.ca/SolidWasteManagement/Pages/strategy.aspx
Item CCW 15-021 – Solid Waste Management Strategy Update (January 27, 2015)
http://docs.simcoe.ca/ws_cos/groups/public/@pub-cos-sta-com/documents/web_content/rsc463591.docx
Attachments:
There are no schedules attached to this Item.
Prepared By:
Stephanie Mack, P.Eng., Special Projects Supervisor
Approvals:
Date
Rob McCullough, Director, Solid Waste Management
Debbie Korolnek, General Manager, Engineering, Planning and Environment
Lealand Sibbick, Treasurer
Mark Aitken, Chief Administrative Officer
September 9, 2015
September 11, 2015
September 15, 2015
September 15, 2015