Optimizing and improving the environmental performance of the eco-centre of the Municipality of Oka

The Municipality of Oka will conduct a feasibility study in order to optimize the services provided by its eco-centre and improve its environmental performance. Since the eco-centre is nearing the end of its useful life, its renovation is included in the municipality’s master plan for the management of residual materials. The study will propose different renovation scenarios and compare the options, particularly in terms of layout, intake capacity, processes (computerization of data processing, procedures for greeting users, etc.), and environmental, economic and social impacts. The study’s findings will be followed by the development of plans and specifications for the scenario selected by the municipality in order to prepare a capital project. The Municipality of Oka wants to increase the intake capacity of the eco-centre by 30% and wants to recycle 70% of construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste, as well as 80% of concrete, brick and asphalt waste. It also wants to improve the separation of materials received, including devices containing halocarbons. In addition to other current or planned measures, the renovation project aims to achieve a 60% reclamation rate for residual materials generated by the municipality. Innovative aspects: • The study will assess the feasibility of providing an ash tree waste management service, which could grow in scope over the next few years. • Renovation proposals will be assessed based on various parameters, including energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, rainwater management, site security, traffic flow, the separation of residual materials and public awareness. • The project will provide the eco-centre with computerized tools that will support better cooperation between municipal services to improve the management of residual materials. Through this system, on-site municipal staff will be able to know whether a user has a permit and has already been made aware of waste sorting procedures and of the eco-centre’s operations. As a result, the municipality of Oka will be able to optimize the upstream awareness of people in charge of CRD projects that generate residual materials. Replicability: • The project may inspire other municipalities that are managing ash tree waste. • The combination of awareness on the eco-centre’s operations with the monitoring of construction site permits would make it possible to gain better insight into the flow of CRD waste within the territory and to take better-aligned measures. The feasibility and impact of this service integration could be shared with other municipalities. (Project description based on original funding application)