Business improvement associations (BIA) across the Metro Vancouver region can help their members cut waste hauling costs by re-using and recycling materials that are currently going in the garbage bin.

"The zero waste lessons learned by the Strathcona Business Improvement Association can be implemented elsewhere," Metro Vancouver Board Chair Greg Moore said. "With the regional district's support, the Strathcona BIA has created a Zero Waste Challenge Tool Kit, a practical guide that others can use. Metro Vancouver wants to work with other business improvement associations to reduce waste."

Malcolm Brodie, the Chair of Metro Vancouver's Zero Waste Committee, said other BIAs can provide their members with innovative waste management services, such as resource parks and material exchanges, which would be too time-consuming for small businesses to start up.

"We're trying to make it easier for businesses to reduce, re-use and recycle," Brodie said. "The business sector's support and savvy will help the region achieve its goal to divert 70 per cent of our solid waste away from disposal by 2015 and aspiring to 80 per cent by 2020."

With $10,000 of financial assistance from Metro Vancouver and technical support for a waste audit, the Strathcona BIA coordinated a new waste reduction program with 16 of its members.

The nine-week challenge resulted in the diversion of 2,300 kilograms of organic waste, 540 kilograms of soft plastics, and 210 kilograms of mixed containers. In other words, these resources were diverted away from disposal.

Businesses and residents throughout the region can use Metro Vancouver Recycles - http: //www. metrovancouverrecycles.org - as a useful resource.

To find donation and recycling locations, simply enter the material you wish to donate or recycle. To learn more about Metro Vancouver solid waste and recycling services, please visit the regional district's website, www.metrovancouver.org.