The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine has approved a joint plan with the City of Terrace to substantially increase the diversion of organic materials in apartment buildings and businesses, with enforcement measures expected to roll out if participation does not improve.
A Joint Organic Waste Diversion Plan, ratified by the board earlier this month in early December, is based on a 2024 waste composition analysis showing that over 40 percent of the waste sent to landfills is actually organic waste.
According to the regional district, organic diversion is now a significant strategic focus of its Solid Waste Management Plan, specifically due to the fact that many industrial, commercial, and institutional sites, as well as many multi-family residential complexes, were still sending compost to the landfill.
Staff noted that, though attempts have been made to encourage businesses to participate, the current bylaws in place at the regional district are not capable of being enforced at the source. Since a large number of waste generators are in Terrace, the district partnered with the City of Terrace to create a coordinated approach.
Implementation will occur in phases, beginning with an educational campaign in January 2026.
During the first six months, the focus will be on awareness and support. Educational packages will be sent to multi-housing communities and businesses, accompanied by a joint letter from the City of Terrace outlining diversion requirements, guidance documents for organics and recycling, and instructions for accessing support. Data will also be gathered from local waste providers about program participation and contamination rates.
Those businesses and buildings that do not have an organics or recycling collection service are set to receive reminder mail-outs, while the employees’ progress check after six months will determine the next approach for enforcement.
During months seven through twelve, the strategy will involve light enforcement, where warning letters will be sent to non-compliant establishments. The staff will provide site visits and consultations to help mitigate remaining barriers, such as a lack of space or odour-related issues, while focusing on education and recognition of the properties that comply.
The regional district and the City of Terrace are targeting over 75 percent enrollment in organics programs in multi-family and commercial sectors and a reduction of commercial waste directed to landfill by 15 to 20 percent by the fall of 2026.
Staff estimated that the financial impacts would be minimal, limited to staff time and postage for mailing out, to be covered within existing solid waste operating budgets.
The Solid Waste Management Plan Monitoring Advisory Committee was supportive of this initiative, which was proposed in November. Updates regarding participation, compliance, and rates of diversion will be given to the city council of Terrace and the regional district board as the program continues.
