Public Policy Analysis Diaper Diversion CITY OF HAMILTON September 15, 2009 by Rita Wan McMaster University Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy Public Policy Analysis Diaper Diversion City of Hamilton REPORT TO Waste Management Division City of Hamilton 120 King Street West, Suite 1170 Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4V2 And Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1 In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Engineering and Public Policy FOR Ms. Anne Winning Ms. Adrienne Press SUPERVISOR Dr. Gail Krantzberg September 15, 2009 Rita Wan 88 Holm Crescent Thornhill, Ontario L3T 5J3 Phone: (905) 886 5616 Email: [email protected] Hamilton Diaper Diversion Public Policy Analysis ABSTRACT Waste management has always been a challenge to municipalities around the world, especially for cities in the developed countries such as Canada and United States. The City of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, has set their waste management goal in their Solid Waste Management Master Plan to divert 65% of their waste from landfill by the end of 2011. They have achieved the diversion rate of 44% in 2008. In order to meet their waste diversion target, a range of approaches is required and diaper diversion is one of them. Currently Hamilton generates approximately 4,000 tonnes of diapers per year; and they are being disposed to landfill. Both technology and public policy will facilitate the diaper waste diversion for the City of Hamilton. This paper discusses the current diaper diversion challenges that Hamilton faces, the possible resolutions in 3Rs’ (Reduce, Reduce and Recycle), Composting and Gasification; and an analysis on related public policies in the areas of education, communications, trade promotions, government incentive programs and regulations. Rita Wan © 2009 September 15, 2009 i Hamilton Diaper Diversion Public Policy Analysis TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................i TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................. ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 1 3.0 RESEARCH FINDINGS..................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Reduce .........................................................................................................2 3.1.1 Eco-friendly Diaper Products in the Market ............................................................ 2 3.1.2 Traditional Disposable Diapers.............................................................................. 3 3.1.3 Cost of Diapers ..................................................................................................... 4 3.2 Reuse...........................................................................................................6 3.2.1 Cloth Diaper Service in the Hamilton Areas ........................................................... 6 3.3 Recycling ......................................................................................................7 3.4 Composting...................................................................................................8 3.5 Gasification ...................................................................................................9 4.0 POLICY BARRIERS........................................................................................................ 10 4.1 Cloth Diapers...............................................................................................10 4.2 Eco-friendly Disposable Diapers ....................................................................10 4.3 Traditional Disposable Diapers ......................................................................11 4.4 Diaper Gasification Service ...........................................................................12 5.0 HAMILTON ECONOMY................................................................................................... 12 5.1 Manufacturing..............................................................................................12 5.2 Construction ................................................................................................13 5.3 Service Sector .............................................................................................14 5.4 Employment Outlook ....................................................................................14 5.5 Personal Income Per Capita..........................................................................15 5.6 Future Economy Forecast .............................................................................15 6.0 DIAPER DIVERSION POLICY DESIGN .......................................................................... 16 6.1 Information-Based Policy Instruments.............................................................16 6.1.1 Information Contents........................................................................................... 16 6.1.2 The City of Hamilton Web Site............................................................................. 17 6.1.3 The City of Hamilton Public Health Programs ...................................................... 18 6.1.4 Distribution of Information.................................................................................... 19 Rita Wan © 2009 September 15, 2009 ii Hamilton Diaper Diversion Public Policy Analysis 6.1.5 Product Promotion Opportunities......................................................................... 19 6.1.6 Trade Shows....................................................................................................... 20 6.1.7 Child Care and Preschool Operators ................................................................... 21 6.1.8 Hospitals............................................................................................................. 21 6.1.9 Interest Groups ................................................................................................... 22 6.1.10 Awareness Campaigns........................................................................................ 22 6.1.11 Media Advertisements......................................................................................... 23 6.1.12 Product Labelling ................................................................................................ 23 6.2 Expenditure-Based Policy Instruments............................................................23 6.2.1 Subsidies ............................................................................................................ 24 6.2.2 Loans.................................................................................................................. 25 6.2.3 Tax Expenditures ................................................................................................ 25 6.2.4 Vouchers............................................................................................................. 26 6.3 Regulation...................................................................................................26 6.3.1 Licenses and Permissions................................................................................... 26 6.3.2 Future Gasification Facility in Hamilton ................................................................ 27 6.3.2.1 Liberty Energy Centre for Diaper Diversion in Hamilton........................................ 27 6.3.2.2 New Gasification Facility for Diaper Diversion in Hamilton.................................... 27 6.3.3 The Waste Management Projects Regulation O. Reg. 101/07.............................. 28 6.3.3.1 Waste Management Projects Environmental Screening Process.......................... 28 6.3.4 Air Emissions ...................................................................................................... 30 6.3.5 Zoning Permit...................................................................................................... 30 6.3.6 Diaper Collections ............................................................................................... 31 6.3.7 Feed-In Tariff Program ........................................................................................ 31 7.0 CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................. 32 8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................... 33 LIST OF TABLES Table 3-1 Cloth Diaper Costs ...................................................................................................... 4 Table 3-2 Disposable Diaper Costs ............................................................................................. 4 Table 3-3 Estimated Annual Costs for Diaper Products and Services in Hamilton ........................ 5 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 5-1 Unemployment Rate ......................................................................................... 15 Rita Wan © 2009 September 15, 2009 iii Hamilton Diaper Diversion Public Policy Analysis LISTS OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A gDiaper Product Information...............................................................................