City Council Agenda and Packet 2025 07 15 - SP

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SUBJECT: SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE DATE: JULY 15, 2025 PAGE2OF3 Hard -to -Recycle Voucher Pilot Program The Hard -to -Recycle Voucher Pilot Program is a program designed to replace the annual hard -to -recycle event. While the event has been popular, staff has found that the one- day/one-time approach requires residents to be ready and have viable transportation options at that point in time. There has also been a challenge with weather leading to the need to cancel or move the annual event (certain compounds cannot be recycled in wet or windy weather). The voucher approach was piloted last year when the event was cancelled due to weather and unable to be rescheduled due to timing conflicts. Staff received feedback from residents appreciating the new approach and flexibility it offered. For this reason, staff proposes continuing the voucher approach (replacing the annual event) and expanding the program utilizing bag tax funding. The proposal would allow for 1,320 vouchers at a $25 value for accepted materials, which staff anticipates increasing both access to the program and waste diversion. If the program and expansion continues to be successful (i.e. increases waste diversion) staff will look to future funding opportunities through bag tax or solid waste funding, which will be brought to City Council for direction and a decision. Commercial Sustainability Rebate The initial Bag Tax Programs contained a $1,000 Commercial Sustainability Grant/Rebate, which while popular, was burdensome for businesses and staff. Staff also received feedback from businesses that the $1,000 limit was not sufficient for the type of work they wanted to do. As a result, staff has paused the program to work with Economic Vitality to re -vamp. The proposal includes a tiered structure allowing for grants at $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000, which will enable both small and larger scale projects, a revamped process making it easier for all parties, and increased allocation to this program. Staff is seeking council direction and hopes to relaunch this program in Q1 2026. 2025 COUNCIL WORK PLAN: While this item is not included in the 2025 Council Work Plan, Environmental Sustainability is a lens on Council's work plan and all of the division's work support this. Expansion and increased flexibility in the Hard -to -Recycle Voucher Pilot Program also aligns with the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion lens by providing the opportunity for more of the community to access this program. Additionally, one of the two proposed programs, the Commercial Sustainability Rebate, directly supports the City's goal of strengthening economic vitality by providing financial incentives to local businesses to invest in sustainability improvements. FISCAL IMPACT: Budgeted?: Yes Hard -to -Recycle Voucher Pilot Program Staff is requesting that $37,000 from bag tax funding be re -allocated from the waste reduction program, to support the Pilot program in 2025 in order to continue offering this service to residents while piloting a new, more flexible approach. There is sufficient budget CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 3