Developing a Framework for End-Of-Life Vehicle Recycling in Northern Manitoba
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Developing a Framework for End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling in Northern Manitoba by Amy Smith A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of MASTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Natural Resources Institute Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M6 August 20, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by Amy Smith Abstract Scrap metal recycling is a developed industry in southern Canada, however this is not the case in northern Canada and particularly northern Manitoba. In this region, scrap metal, and particularly end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) accumulates in communities, which results in a serious waste management issue for the region. The inaction on scrap metal recycling and reuse in northern Manitoba is in fact creating sustainability issues that run counter to Manitoba’s Sustainable Development Act. To address this problem, my thesis is focused on developing an effective and efficient framework for ELV recycling for northern Manitoba. I conducted interviews with 15 community leaders and waste management specialists from communities in northern Manitoba, as well as 19 experts in ELV recycling and waste management. In addition to the interviews, a document review and a workshop, informed the development of a Framework for ELV Recycling in Northern Manitoba. Finally, I suggest the eight most important policy initiatives emerging from the research needed in order to implement the Framework. ii Acknowledgements The process of research and writing this thesis has been a valuable experience. I have grown in my academic abilities and self-confidence along the way. There are a number of people I would like to acknowledge who made this research and thesis possible through their participation and support along the way. First, I would like to thank all my research participants for taking the time to share their knowledge of end-of-life vehicle recycling with me. In particular, I am grateful to the participants from northern Manitoba communities who welcomed and shared their homes with me during my research trip. Additionally, I want to acknowledge that this research took place in Treaty 5 territory. Second, I thank my academic advisor Dr. John Sinclair for his support and valuable input during the entire research and writing process. You have challenged me and encouraged me and without this the document would not be what is today. Additionally, I thank my thesis committee members; Dr. Christopher Trott, Jim Ferguson, and Kristina Hunter for their commitment to this research and for sharing their insights to help me think critically and improve the overall quality of this thesis. Third, I thank my friends and family who would always ask about my research and were my cheer leaders when the process felt tough. In particular, I thank my parents, Rob and Deb Smith. My mom, for accompanying me on my research trip and my dad for his willingness to live the ‘bachelor life’ during this time. I also want to thank my partner Patrick Cheater for his hugs and willingness to hear more about end-of-life vehicles and waste management policy than he knew was possible. Fourth, the Natural Resources Institute administrative staff gave skilled support with filling out paperwork, printer challenges, and IT questions. They guided me through the sometimes challenging and confusing world of university administrative processes. Finally, I would like to thank the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, the Automotive Recyclers of Manitoba, the Automotive Recyclers of Canada for their financial support of this research. Additionally, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada funded travel for the workshop participants from First Nation communities. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... III TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... IV LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. VIII ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................... IX 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background and Context ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Research Design and Methods .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Contribution to Knowledge .................................................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Organization of Thesis .......................................................................................................................................... 6 2. SUSTAINABILITY AND WASTE MANAGEMENT .......................................................... 8 2.1 Sustainable Development ...................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.1 Sustainable Development in Manitoba ........................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Waste Management ............................................................................................................................................. 16 2.2.1 Integrated Sustainable Waste Management .................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2 Extended Producer Responsibility ................................................................................................................. 18 2.2.3 Waste Management in Canada ....................................................................................................................... 20 2.2.4 Waste Management in Manitoba .................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling in Canada .......................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1 The ELV Recycling Process ........................................................................................................................... 28 2.3.2 Sustainable Development and ELV Recycling .............................................................................................. 29 2.3.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................................................... 30 2.3.4 ELV Recycling in Northern Canada/Northern Manitoba ............................................................................... 32 2.4 Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 iv 3. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS ............................................................................. 36 3.1 Worldview and Approach ................................................................................................................................... 36 3.2 Case Study Strategy of Inquiry .......................................................................................................................... 38 3.3 Data Collection Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 39 3.3.1 Document Review .......................................................................................................................................... 40 3.3.2 Semi-Structured Interviews ............................................................................................................................ 40 3.3.3 Personal Observation ...................................................................................................................................... 43 3.3.4 Recruitment and Sampling ............................................................................................................................. 43 3.3.5 Workshop ....................................................................................................................................................... 44 3.4 Data Analysis........................................................................................................................................................ 45 3.5 Validating the data .............................................................................................................................................. 46 3.6 Ethics ...................................................................................................................................................................