What is a Waste Exchange?
Ever wonder if the waste you produce in your operation could be used by someone else in theirs, instead of having it disposed of at the local landfill? Well, it is possible through the BC Materials Exchange Program (MEX). The Exchange provides a "matching service" between the waste generator and potential users of the waste product. It operates on the principle that "one person's waste is another's raw material".
In 1999, the MEX helped keep over ONE MILLION KILOGRAMS of waste out of BC landfills! This represents a significant conservation of energy, resources and landfill space.
Why are Waste Exchanges Important?
As a society, we are increasingly aware of the problems associated with our ever-growing inventory of industrial and commercial waste. Some of the materials involved are hazardous to the environment, while others are so abundant that their permanent disposal becomes a problem of space and aesthetics. In the Cariboo Regional District, industrial and commercial wastes represent about 50% of the total waste volume ending up in our landfills.
While many companies can find cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of waste they generate through recycling initiatives or reusing by-products within their own operations, other companies do not have the same opportunities for in-house reductions. In these situations, exchanging waste is a viable and inexpensive tool for reducing the volume and cost of waste disposal, while preserving natural resources and the environment for future generations.
How Can I Profit?
- Reduce or eliminate disposal fees;
- Find buyers for materials you typically discard;
- Locate free or inexpensive materials and feedstocks;
- Enhance your image in the community by advertising your business as being environmentally-minded.
Making the Connection
If your business produces a material you think someone else could use, simply call the BC Recycling Hotline and a live operator will enter your information into a computerized database. The folks at the MEX will then try to find a user of your waste product.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a material that someone else is wanting to dispose of, the MEX operators can check the database for possible sources. Either way, BC MEX can help you make the connection.
The number to call from anywhere in British Columbia is: 1-800-667-4321. Operators are standing by Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to assist you.
You can visit the Recycling Council of BC on the world wide web at www.rcbc.bc.ca and browse the materials available or wanted in the BC MEX catalogue. The Materials Exchange is a free service provided by the Recycling Council of BC, thanks to the generous contributions of many supporters, including the Cariboo Regional District!