Best Practices

Targetting the small metal items

In many communities, private-sector metal recyclers ("scrap dealers") are well established and will accept scrap metal from residential sources, especially large items. In response to public demand, some communities offer municipally sponsored collection of white goods (large appliances). Services for large items, therefore, are in place in most cases and it is a question of ensuring they are used.

Municipal programs that specifically address small scrap metal items other than steel and aluminum cans are rare. Because of this, there is insufficient municipal experience to characterize certain activities as "best practices." Interviews with recycling program coordinators from across Canada suggest that several options may be viable.

Given the relatively small quantity of scrap metal in the household outside of the white goods category, a regular dedicated curbside collection is likely not feasible. One option is to "piggyback" on existing programs.

Adding to an existing white goods drop-off program

Any program that offers drop-off depots for white goods should be able to take all scrap metals and it would then just be a question of promotion. Indeed, given recent high values for nonferrous and ferrous scrap metal, any such scrap recovery program may pay for itself. Several issues worth considering are: depots must be accessible to the general public; drop-off containers should be staffed (at least peripherally) to minimize contamination; and the program must be widely and continually promoted.

Adding to a white goods curbside collection program

Communities that offer curbside white goods pick-up could encourage households to put out all their scrap metal, not just their old refrigerators and washing machines. Whether a cube van or stake truck is used, the hauler will also need a large open box to hold the loose scrap. There may have to be some revision of contracts and consultations with the end markets, but the prospect of extra material should outweigh handling issues.

A special pick-up once or twice a year

While a weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly collection of scrap metal may not be economical, a once- or twice-a-year collection is an option. A number of Canadian municipalities have already adopted this option, e.g., East Hants (Nova Scotia) and Pembroke-Petawawa (Ontario). Several remarks are warranted:

• Watch out for curbside scavenging;
• Local scrap yard may provide collection service in return for scrap revenue;
• Collection could be included in municipal service contracts;
• Separate municipal vehicles could be used to collect the materials.

Removing refrigerant, mercury switches and sensors, and PCB capacitors

Removing hazardous materials or components from metal appliances can certainly be considered a best practice. While not yet required by law in some parts of the country, the removal of refrigerant from refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners represents due diligence for any program with a mandate for environmental protection and resource recovery. This can be undertaken at the municipal level (or required of a contractor). A growing number of municipalities are now removing mercury switches from freezers and sensors from gas appliances. It can be done easily and cheaply. Some programs even remove PCB-containing capacitors from certain old models of refrigerators and freezers.

Enhanced promotion and emphasis on other scrap metals

The promotion of scrap metal programs is currently very much focused on the main constituent of the residential scrap metal stream: white goods. In those programs that offer curbside pick-up of large appliances, for example, more emphasis could be placed on what else could be collected (both larger items like old bicycles and smaller items like cookware).

Could scrap metals be added to an existing blue box or bag program?

Adding scrap metal to an existing fibre and consumer packaging (blue box or bag) program could be challenging. This is a two-pronged issue that begins with collection.

Note: In Ontario (and possibly Quebec), there may be an issue regarding the introduction of new materials to the blue box that are not packaging or newsprint, as the funding formula under the Waste Diversion Act (and Bill 101 in Quebec) is based on weight, and obligated stewards would be difficult to identify. These issues would need to be addressed by the bodies overseeing the funding programs.