qathet Regional District is supportive of a grant application that would enhance waste management in qathet Regional District.
At the October 23 committee of the whole meeting, manager of operations and circular economy projects with Synergy Foundation, Tai Uhlmann, appeared as a delegation to request support for development of a circular hub strategy in qRD.
Uhlmann said the foundation supports businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations and local governments to adopt and implement more circular practices, involving the reduction of waste.
Uhlmann said the circular economy has three main principles, including eliminating waste and pollution, recirculating products and materials, and regenerating nature. The circular economy model includes reduce, reuse and repair, redistribute, reconditioning and recycle, she added.
The foundation is applying for a 2025 Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure (REDIP) grant funding to develop a circular hub strategy, designed to build economic opportunities and sustainability in three communities, one of which is the qRD, said Uhlmann.
She said the circular hub strategy project being proposed aims to stimulate green business expansion and retention in the three communities, which have experienced significant job loss and economic instability from mill curtailments and closures.
“This project will create an actionable strategy for each region to implement a physical circular hub facility that serves as a centre for innovation, workforce upscaling, resource recovery, product development, market development and business transition training,” said Uhlmann. “These hubs will prioritize the diversion and repurposing of construction and demolition waste, which is highly valuable. These hubs will diversify the local economy by creating new markets and job opportunities, attracting investment and driving sustainable growth.”
Uhlmann said the hub strategies will be tailored to each community, and the local landscape and priorities. She said there will be engagement with interested parties and community consultation, educational workshops, upscaling and training for workforce transitions, supportive policy recommendations for local government, financial feasibility and business planning.
“What will the benefits be for the qRD?” asked Uhlmann. “You would receive an actionable circular hub strategy ready for implementation that would stimulate and diversify the local economy and create jobs, reduce landfill waste and support sustainability goals, and enhance local innovation, education and adaptability for economic and environmental changes.”
Uhlmann said she was requesting a letter of support for a REDIP application. She said if it is successful, she is also asking for minimal qRD staff time, which would be an hour per month, or involve putting together an advisory committee.
“There is no financial ask; just your support,” said Uhlmann.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne asked if the request had overlap with what is happening at the new resource-recovery centre.
qRD manager of environmental services Jason Kouwenhoven said Synergy Foundation’s request aligns with what is happening at the centre.
“It seems like a very good fit and good timing,” said Kouwenhoven. “We will have to do this research, so having the assistance from Synergy Foundation would be appreciated.”
Outgoing City of Powell River director George Doubt said this is a great opportunity to have a plan created.
“Our goal is to achieve zero waste,” added Doubt. “To do that at some point, we are going to have to have a mechanism to take some of the resources that are recovered and recycle them somehow. This is a plan to do that.”
At a meeting later in the day, the regional board voted to send a letter of support for Synergy Foundation’s application to REDIP.
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