This Is Us
The Bow Valley Waste Management Commission (BVWMC) is an Alberta Regional Services Commission as defined by the Municipal Government Act. It was formed under Ministerial Order by the founding Members of the MD of Bighorn, Town of Banff and Town of Canmore to provide and support solid waste management services in the Bow Valley.
The Francis Cooke Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, operated by BVWMC, receives approximately 80 percent of all waste material generated in the Bow Valley. This facility is an essential service for the local economy and is playing a major role in shifting the Bow Valley toward a modern, circular economy.
Waste management activities on the property proceed under an approval from the Government of Alberta as a Class III Landfill and Class II Compost Facility. The facility is approved to accept only dry, inert waste that does not undergo physical, chemical or biological changes that may cause an adverse effect on the environment. With the exception of specialized industrial rock waste and excavated earthen material, we divert 75% of the waste we receive away from landfill disposal. A large portion of this waste comes from construction, renovation, and demolition activity. The compost facility is accredited under the Canadian Compost Quality Alliance program and accepts the Bow Valley’s leaf and yard waste to produce topsoil for landscaping projects.
History
In 1999, BVWMC purchased the MD of Bighorn’s Dry Waste site east of Exshaw, and in 2000 assumed full operation of the renamed Francis Cooke Regional Class III Landfill. Two years later, an additional 36 acres of Landfill Expansion Lands was purchased from Alberta Public Lands, increasing the landfill area to 80 acres.
BVWMC expanded the Construction Renovation and Demolition (CRD) program in 2002 to deal with pressure treated lumber and reusable construction materials. In 2005, the Commission was honoured to receive the Rs of Excellence Award from the Recycling Council of Alberta for municipal recycling programs conducted at the Francis Cooke Regional Class III Landfill.
Through the continued expansion of our recycling program, the rate of waste diversion from landfill has reached over 70 per cent annually.
Our new landfill office and scale building incorporate 14 different sustainability elements, from our 20-kilowatt solar panel array feeding energy into the Alberta electrical grid to a biomass heating system providing energy for our heavy equipment shop and offices.
Board of Directors
BVWMC is directed by a Board of Directors appointed from the serving Councils of our three member municipalities. While conducting Commission business Board members serve the interests of the Commission. Current Board members are:
Commission Meetings & Minutes
Board meetings are conducted in public and are normally held on the third Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. Written public submissions and requests for public delegations to a Board meeting must be submitted seven days in advance of the meeting. Please contact the Chief Administrative Officer for updates about current business being conducted by the BVWMC.
If you would like to attend a Board meeting, please contact us at 403-673-2708 in advance of the meeting and provide your name and email address. We will share details of how to participate. For internet security reasons, any links to a virtual meeting are intended for the person to which they are provided. Electronic invitations and links may not be shared without permission of the Commission. Minutes of previous meetings are available on request.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Thursday, 16th May 2024, 2pm. Please contact us for details.
MINUTES OF RECENT BOARD MEETINGS
- 19th January, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 16th February, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 16th March, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 20th April, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 18th May, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 15th June, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 17th August, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 21st September, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 25th October, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 16th November, 2023 Board organisational meeting.
- 16th November, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- 21st December, 2023 regular Board meeting.
- Minutes of previous meetings are available on request.
Historical Diversion Rates
BVWMC strives to be a leader in diverting construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) wastes from landfill disposal. Some materials diverted are shipped for recycling. Other materials are processed on our site to produce useful products for resale. We have achieved as high as 77 per cent diversion from the landfill and strive to continually improve recycling opportunities and cooperate with municipalities and industry partners when putting new practices in place. These resource recovery efforts help ensure responsible use of the landfill space and extend the lifespan of the Francis Cooke Landfill for the benefit of our members striving to achieve circular economies. Visit our Recovered Resources page for more details.
Environmental Protection
If not managed properly, landfilled waste can cause harm to wildlife, scatter litter across private and public lands, contaminate surface water, pollute ground water and create unnecessary greenhouse gasses and other emissions. Given the absence of a liner under the Francis Cooke Landfill, the close proximity of the Bow River and frequent windy conditions, it is essential that we take a precautionary approach to environmental protection.
Our landfill operation must be managed very carefully because the Bow River is only 400 meters away from the edge of the property. A network of monitoring wells has been installed to allow for regular monitoring of groundwater quality underneath and adjacent to the landfill.
Provincial parklands have been established on three sides of the property since the landfill began operations. Extended periods of high and gusty winds make litter management a challenge. Peak wind speeds between 70 and 120 kilometres are common between October and April, making it critical for our customers and staff to prevent fugitive litter if the facility is to continue operating.
Regulatory Oversight
Key regulatory and guidance materials relating specifically to waste and recyclables handled at the facility include:
- Alberta Environmental and Protect ion Act and Regulations especially Alberta Activities
- Designation Regulation
- Alberta Municipal Government Act
- Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
- Code of Practice for Energy Recovery
- Code of Practice for Landfills in Alberta
- Environmental Code of Practice for Compost Facilities in Alberta
- Standards for Operating Compost Facilities in Alberta
- Government of Alberta Guidance Materials on Acceptable Industry Practices
- Standards for Landfills in Alberta.
Accomplishments
The Bow Valley Waste Management Commission has accomplishments in the following key program areas:
- Financially self-sufficient Class III landfill and full-service resource recovery and processing operation.
- Recycling drop-off for 16 different materials.
- 70 percent diversion from landfill in 2020 and an average diversion rate of 60 percent maintained for the last 17 years.
- Completed system of regional transfer stations.
- Construction, renovation and demolition waste tracking program service offered.
- On-site processing into value-added products for materials such as wood, asphalt, concrete, yard waste, concrete, asphalt.
- Regional Toward Zero Waste Special Event equipment supply service.
- Regional municipal glass staging and recycling service.
- Landfill and scale office building incorporating 14 different sustainability elements.
- Operation of heating system for heavy equipment shop and offices using energy derived from biomass.
- Installation of 20-kilowatt solar panel array feeding energy into the Alberta electrical grid.
Job Opportunities
We are currently looking for an EQUIPMENT OPERATOR to assist with waste management operations at our busy landfill and recycling centre. To enquire about the position or submit a resume please contact:
Elizabeth Boak
Bow Valley Waste Management Commission
403-673-2708