The BMEx program aims to divert tons of construction materials from landfills, and could work for Metro Vancouver’s zero waste goals
A Vancouver Island organization came up with a plan to divert tonnes of that waste by pairing companies that are getting rid of it — whether wood, plastics, asphalt or drywall — with those that can use it.
The program, called the Building Material Exchange, or BMEx, aims to transition the industry from a linear to a circular economy, upcycling materials rather than just recycling. It will also help companies reduce costs by avoiding landfill fees and potentially selling or donating materials.
For example, wood, which makes up nearly half of the construction waste in Metro Vancouver, could be repurposed from a tear down to build a green house or planter boxes, said Gil Yaron, managing director circular innovation at Light House, a non-profit organization on Vancouver Island that launched the exchange.
Yaron said the exchange will connect hundreds of businesses in Nanaimo, Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Duncan and the surrounding islands with excess, unused, or salvaged building and design materials with others in need of affordable local resources to begin or complete projects.
“The premise is one company’s trash is another company’s treasure,” he said. “Our mission is to advance what we call circular and regenerative practices in the construction sector, basically supporting the construction sector to be more environmentally responsible.”
They are holding two Dragons’ Den-style events, one in Nanaimo on Nov. 5 and the other in Victoria Nov. 6, where companies can pitch either what they need or what they want to get rid of and then the exchange will act like a matchmaker to bring various parties together.
“As we see tipping fees increasing, there becomes more of a business case for this. The other thing is that governments are placing bans on materials and landfills, or they’re charging a penalty for what they call mixed loads. So there’s a need for alternatives for these materials, and that’s really what we’re trying to do, is support the industry in making that transition,” said Yaron.
The program is free to sign up and participate in and is funded by the Regional District of Nanaimo’s zero waste recycling fund, the Capital Regional District, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Light House also partners with Habitat for Humanity.
Yaron hopes to expand the exchange to Metro Vancouver and other municipalities in B.C. that are trying to reach zero-waste goals. They are also in the process of building an online platform, similar to Facebook’s Marketplace, but tailored for industry to trade materials. And eventually, working with Habitat for Humanity, there will be a physical hub or depot as well where materials can be donated or sold.
Paul Henderson, Metro Vancouver’s general manager of solid waste services, said staff will be keeping an eye on the exchange to see whether it could be a good fit for this region.
Overall, wood, plastics and asphalt make up the largest disposed material in the region by weight. Wood, for example, makes up 48 per cent of the estimated construction and demolition waste, or about 177,011 tonnes a year, according to the report.
“Reducing waste from the construction sector is a priority for Metro Vancouver, and establishing a building materials exchange is one of the ideas that could be considered as part of the solid waste management plan update,” said Henderson.
“Programs such as the Vancouver Island material exchange provide an opportunity for learning that could potentially be applied in Metro Vancouver.”
With files from Glenda Luymes