Goal: By 2030, reduce waste sector emissions by 95 per cent and reduce embodied emissions from products and services. 

• The waste sector represents one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in B.C. 

The opportunity

• Whistler has already reduced waste management emissions by 90 per cent compared to 2005 through landfill gas capture, reuse and recycling programs, and by adding organic composting to divert roughly 30 per cent of waste. 
• Additional savings can be found with improved plastic recycling, increasing organic waste diversion from commercial operations and multi-use buildings, and addressing construction waste. 

Key initiatives 

• Increase organic waste capture from commercial operations and multi-unit residential buildings. 
• Reduce all streams of waste. 
• Use low-carbon fuels in waste-related transportation. 
• Demonstrate RMOW leadership by embedding greenhouse gas emissions considerations into municipal procurement practices. 
• Engage with residents, visitors and local businesses to advance sustainable consumption principles. 

Meeting the target: If successful, improving organic waste capture and reuse/recycle programs will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 1,145 and 2,000 tonnes by 2030, or between 1 per cent and 2 per cent below 2019 levels. (Note: this target only takes into account direct emissions from waste management and not sustainable consumption.) 

RMOW divisions and key partners 

Lead: Infrastructure Services 

Support: Environmental Stewardship, Facility Construction Management, Corporate and Community Services 

Partnerships: BC Government, AWARE 

Contact 

climatechange@whistler.ca