Dumpster-Free Alleyways

Reducing crime and the open drug market by 50% in Vancouver is a major strategic objective of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.

Did you know there is a strong, proven association between street disorder and the location of dumpsters? More than 90% of incidents the DVBIA’s Downtown Ambassadors respond to are within 50 meters of dumpsters. Incidents involving panhandling, drug use, problem street person interactions and drug dealers take place entirely within the dumpster ‘clusters.’

By removing dumpsters, crime is moved from the dark corridors of alleys and hundreds of kilometres of laneway space are made available for commercial use, art installations, and pedestrian and cyclist access.

By the end of 2008, all back alleyways within the DVBIA’s 90-block area of downtown Vancouver will be dumpster-free as a result of a crime reduction and aesthetics-enhancement initiative of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association at the direction of Vancouver City Council.

The 300+ dumpsters currently on public property will be replaced with a daily bag removal system, similar to highly successful programs in Seattle and Kelowna.

How the Program will Work

Learn about the benefits of a dumpster-free downtown, how the program will work, timeline for implementing the program and how it’s worked well in other cities.

FAQs for Members

May 1, 2008 Update

After reviewing waste hauler bids received in January, the DVBIA and other Business Improvement Associations are independently negotiating terms with their selected company.

The City of Vancouver is backing the plan to make downtown Vancouver alleys cleaner – a plan which has already been successfully implemented in Seattle, Kelowna and many other cities.

To facilitate the program, Council has been reviewing the status of its commercial waste container licensing system and by-laws to determine how the City would regulate an alternative commercial waste collection system like SACS.

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The next step is completion of a detailed plan, which Council will review to ensure it meets City objectives for safe, clean alleys.

Letter to Businesses

Letter sent to affected businesses on July 17. (PDF)

Request for Proposals

On November 29, 2007, Vancouver City Council unanimously agreed to endorse the development and implementation of an alternative commercial solid waste collection program. As a result, the DVBIA along with other BIAs, including the West End, Yaletown, South Granville, Robson Street and Gastown, to now issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the hauling community to express interest in a contract for all six BIAs for a daily pick-up bag or similar system. Response to the RFP is required by 12 noon on January 17.

NOTE: As a result of the December 14, 2007 meeting with interested bidders, the return date for the RFP has been changed to January 25, 2008. The revised RFP below contains that change, a few section numbering issues have been corrected and appendix “J” is re-titled to match the document.

Bid Package for the Streets and Alleys Cleanup Strategies (SACS)

Appendices:

Appendix B Garbage Container Licence Sept 28 06 Report to Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

Appendix C Minutes Sept 28 06 Garbage Container Licence Report at Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

Appendix D Minutes Dec 14 06 Street Cleaning Report at Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets

Appendix E Street Cleaning Initiatives Dec 14 06 Report to Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets

Appendix F City Garbage Container Licence 2007

Appendix G City Solid Waste Bylaw No 8417

Appendix H Waste Diversion April 07 Report to Standing Committee of Planning and Environment

Appendix I Material Ban Notice for Business Metro Vancouver Nov 07

Appendix J Alternative Commercial Waste Mgt Service Nov 07 Report to Standing Committee of Council of Planning and Environment

Appendix K Minutes Nov 29 Alternative Commercial Waste Mgt Service at Standing Committee Planning and Environment