Materials and Solid Waste

The Materials and Solid Waste Strategy addresses how to meet Whistler’s need for material supply and disposal while minimizing environmental impacts. As few goods are locally produced in Whistler, this strategy focuses primarily on the procurement of appropriate products as well as on their use and disposal. The strategy includes upstream solutions, encouraging sustainable use of materials, as well as appropriate waste management systems. The strategy does not address the treatment and disposal of liquid waste.

Introduction

Material flows are an essential component of any living system. Materials are required to make products and services that meet a wide spectrum of needs, such as food, shelter, clothing and leisure. Offering visitor services and maintaining resident lifestyles requires significant quantities of various materials which in turn, quickly produce ‘waste’ that is reused, recycled or landfilled. Waste is generally produced throughout the process of making, packaging, transporting, using and finally disposing of products and residuals. Currently, all of these stages have potential negative environmental impacts including: inefficient use of energy and material resources, ongoing habitat impacts as well as the creation of toxic by-products. Managing all stages of materials flow is important, and can contribute to reduction of overall materials throughput as well as the substitution from more harmful materials to less damaging alternatives.

Description of Success

In 2020, Whistler’s material flows are managed in comprehensive, convenient and upstream way, and the resort community is well on its way to embracing the concept of a ‘zero waste’ society. In the future:

The resort community is clean and well maintained
Whistler offers the same or higher quality service using less materials than in the past
Whistler is using durable materials that are less environmentally harmful, preferring recycled, natural and sustainably harvested materials, and plentiful metals
The resort community is ‘closing the loop’ by providing appropriate and convenient opportunities for reducing, reusing and recycling materials
Whistler is well on its way to achieving its ‘zero waste’ goal
Increased business performance and economic opportunities are being realized as a result of smart materials management
The community is committed to providing infrastructure capable of continually decreasing our residual wastes
Local businesses, residents and visitors are knowledgeable about material flows, and demonstrate a strong ethic of responsibility and stewardship toward resources and materials
Substances and chemicals that are harmful to human health are being eliminated, replaced, or managed in a way that they do not disperse in nature
Partnerships are developed such that collective procurement choices favour companies and suppliers that are consistent with our identified materials and solid waste values