Sustainable and Optimal Residual Materials Management for Côte-de-Beaupré

With a view to reviewing the residual materials management system that was put in place in 2004, the Côte-de-Beaupré RCM is planning to launch a study aimed at facilitating the implementation of new measures for the residential, and industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors, as well as the construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) sectors in the RCM’s nine municipalities and two unorganized territories. The initial goal of the study is to optimize the regional residual materials management infrastructure by compiling a complete, detailed report on the existing management system and determining the individual municipalities’ capacity to fulfill their obligations within the prescribed time limits. The Côte-de-Beaupré RCM will examine the relevance and type of regional equipment required; and assess factors such as governance, bylaws, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions report and the collection operations with a view to formulating recommendations for the review of the RCM's Residual Materials Management Plan (RMMP). The next step will involve a feasibility study for the construction of a regional ecocentre, aimed at cutting residual material management costs in half. According to the preliminary results of a study currently under way, the RCM could focus on wood, glass, metals, paperboard and compostable materials for which there are buyers regionally. With this study, the RCM hopes to achieve a residual materials recovery rate of 70%. It also intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful gases discharged from disposal sites, as well as those emitted from the transportation of waste materials. Local residents will enjoy an enhanced quality of life, and the RCM will be in a position to fully develop the territory’s potential. In addition, the project will result in significant economic benefits, including the creation of various jobs and the conversion of residual materials into resources. (Project description from original funding application)