Step 1: Initiation

The Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) renewal kicked off in November 2022 with a need to gain traction within the community about the plan renewal process, and to find within our community willing participants for joining the Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee (RSWAC). The RSWAC is an important piece of the process and provides diverse feedback to staff and the Board of Directors on the proposed path forward and highlights the concerns and challenges from different parts of our service area and sectors.

Click on the key goals of Step 1 to see what was accomplished.

  • Recruitment and establishment of the Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee (RSWAC).
  • A wide net was cast to attract residents and business owners from across the service area.
  • Representatives from each of the ten First Nations in the service area were invited to participate.
  • Local Government staff involved in solid waste put their names forward to join the conversation.
  • Learn more about the RSWAC
  • Engaged with the public through the Weigh In On Waste survey to gauge the satisfaction with the current SWMP
  • Went into the community to hear from residents and offered information online to learn more
  • Read more about the Weigh In On Waste survey from Step 1 under Survey Says

Survey Says

In the fall of 2022, CSWM conducted an online survey which asked residents about their experiences with garbage, recycling and organics in their community. Participation was strong with 1,117 responses from all across the service area. The survey also inquired about how willing people were to make efforts to divert from the waste stream, and what their priorities were for waste management. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

Results from the survey were compiled and highlights are provided below. For those looking to dig deep into the details, a report on all of the results is also available in our 'Document Library' on the right hand side.

To increase awareness and generate participation from residents across the CSWM service area, a comprehensive digital ad campaign was run. In addition, print and radio ads were used to generate participation. Posters were put up in communities, and in person engagements took place at local events.

This combination of grassroots, digital and traditional outreach was very sucessful in communicating this engagement opportunity across the entire service area. Responses were received from every community!


Several main themes emerged from the survey.

Respondents expressed a desire for improved facilities to support an increased diversion of recycling, yard and food waste, with a primary focus on the need for increasing convenience and accepting a wider range of materials.

Additional concerns included:

  • Accessibility,
  • Cost,
  • Driving,
  • Distance,
  • Pest management and,
  • Home storage.

The highest ranked priorities for future waste management solutions were:

  • Reducing the overall amount of waste sent to the landfill and,
  • Expanding opportunities for recycling more material.

After being asked to share their willingness to take specific diversion actions, respondents were given the opportunity to share barriers they faced which prevented them from improving their current waste diversion habits.

The most common themes were:

  • High cost of driving and access to vehicles
  • Concern for attracting wildlife
  • Lack of nearby facilities and services
  • Personal accessibility issues
  • Lack of repair knowledge and skill
  • Storage issues at residence

Respondents were asked to rank a list of priorities for future waste management solutions in their community.

Listed in order of ranked importance (the first as the most important), the priorities were:

  • Reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill
  • Expanding opportunities for recycling
  • Improving convenience
  • Reducing greenhouse gases
  • Keeping costs low
  • Creating jobs and local opportunities in the private sector