On Site Waste Management

On Site Waste Management refers to the practices and systems contractors use to handle waste materials directly at project locations, rather than relying solely on off-site disposal. The Government of Canada Supply Manual doesn't dedicate a specific section to this term, but Chapter 10 on Environment and Sustainable Development establishes clear expectations that procurement must consider environmental factors, including how waste gets managed throughout a contract's lifecycle. If you're working on construction, remediation, or infrastructure projects, you need to understand how these requirements shape your bidding and delivery approach.

How It Works

The federal government's approach to waste management in procurement stems primarily from the Treasury Board's Policy on Green Procurement, which requires departments to incorporate environmental considerations into their contracting processes. When you're preparing a bid response, particularly for larger projects with PSPC or departments like DND, you'll often need to detail your waste minimization strategies right in your technical proposal.

Here's the thing: the term "on-site" can mean different things depending on context. In most construction and remediation contracts, it refers to sorting, storing, and initial processing of waste materials at the work location before final disposal. You might establish designated areas for recyclables, hazardous materials, and general waste. But in Indigenous Services Canada's infrastructure work, on-site systems have a more specific meaning—they're talking about decentralized water and wastewater infrastructure like septic disposal fields and sewage holding tanks that serve individual buildings or small clusters, designed and operated according to the Protocol for Decentralized Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities.

Your waste management plan typically needs to demonstrate how you'll reduce waste generation first, then maximize reuse and recycling, with disposal as the last resort. Documentation matters—federal contracts often require regular reporting on waste diversion rates and disposal methods, particularly for hazardous materials.

Key Considerations

• Provincial regulations layer on top: Federal green procurement requirements set the baseline, but you're also bound by provincial environmental regulations where the work happens. Your plan needs to satisfy both.

• Security-sensitive sites have restrictions: On DND or SSC properties, you can't just bring in any waste containers or haulers. Pre-approval processes for vendors and equipment can add weeks to your mobilization schedule.

• Indigenous communities require different approaches: Projects on reserve lands may involve managing existing on-site wastewater systems while you work. Community consultation about waste handling is often mandatory, not optional.

• Documentation requirements exceed typical commercial projects: Expect to maintain detailed manifests for all waste streams, not just hazardous materials, and be prepared for audits throughout the contract period.

Related Terms

Green Procurement, Environmental Considerations in Procurement, Contract Performance Requirements

Sources

• Government of Canada Supply Manual - Chapter 10: Environment and Sustainable Development

• Treasury Board Policy on Green Procurement

• Indigenous Services Canada - Water and Wastewater Policy and Level of Services Standards

The evaluation criteria in your solicitation documents will tell you exactly how much weight waste management carries in the technical scoring. Read them carefully before you decide how detailed your response needs to be.