ORGANIC WASTE COLLECTION: A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN VANCOUVER

The waste management industry in Canada is undergoing a number of changes that place emphasis on materials recovery and recycling. Paradigms are shifting towards closed-loop systems that minimize environmental damage and extract value from waste materials. This paper focuses on the potential for business opportunities in organic waste management in Vancouver, BC, with particular regard to the recovery of food wastes. An overview of the waste management industry in Vancouver in its present state is discussed to assess the competitive landscape and identify key success factors to profitability. Next, there is a discussion of waste reduction philosophies that outline strategies and techniques for meeting new waste management objectives. A series of interviews gauging demand for an organic waste collection service was conducted with various stakeholders to provide a content analysis. Lastly, a number of business opportunities are identified and accompanied by a proposed operational model. The term ?sustainability? has become a platform for change in many organizations, but it is also being used as a differentiation strategy that serves a real customer base. Organic waste collection and processing as part of a waste diversion program may be a suitable method of meeting this demand. This study has indicated that although there is much interest in organic waste diversion programs, profitability may be limited if not elusive. An in-depth operational model merits further investigation.