Reducing the impacts of climate change depends on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions relating to heating and cooling buildings. Emission reductions can be made by conserving heat or cool air and by using sustainable energy to heat and cool our buildings.
The City of Burnaby’s current plan is to create steam from heat generated at the Metro Vancouver incinerator that is located in Burnaby to heat new buildings at Metrotown and Edmonds town centers. See https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/burnaby-approves- major-contract-for-garbage-powered-heat-hot-water-utility-8610195.
The City’s thinking is that if buildings can be heated by steam instead of by burning gas, the City will be able to reduce Burnaby’s greenhouse gas emissions.
But what about the greenhouse gas emissions that come from the incinerator? Zero Waste BC reported in July 2025 that independent testing of the residue within 500 meters of the facility revealed dangerous levels of dioxins. Metro Vancouver has stated the dust residues are not toxic – see interview here: https://www.biv.com/news/environment/watchdog-claims-tests-show-metro-vancouver-incinerator-a-significant-health-risk-10921254
What about the fact that the incinerator will need a future steady supply of garbage to keep generating heat – at a time when society is trying to reduce the amount of garbage we create? And what about the high cost of maintaining the Metro Vancouver incinerator which is years past its “best before date”?
As reported in the Burnaby Beacon, Sue Maxwell, Chair of Zero Waste BC says going ahead with the project is “a terrible idea.” “Metro Vancouver: A Case Study in Waste Management” explains why – see https://drive.google.com/file/d/19oum89-TgC7Ab9-1C1IW2qFyVA7uOjyU/view. Zero Waste BC recommends continuing to reduce the amount of garbage we create and better managing the methane emissions from landfills.
Stefan Labbe’s article in the Burnaby Now, references parts of the Zero Waste BC study with respect to the incinerator’s emissions:
The incinerator has increased plastic, metal and glass emissions by 101 per cent between 2010 and 2002, at a time landfill emissions dropped 72 per cent. That success story is driven by gas capture programs and campaigns to educate the public on disposing organic waste into green bins instead of the garbage, according to the outside analysis.
And in relation to its future operational costs, Labbé’s article states:
Over the course of a decade, the study found the cost to dispose waste in a landfill grew four per cent, while its waste-to-energy operations climbed 22 per cent. Future maintenance on the incinerator is expected to raise costs even higher.
By 2027, operating costs at the waste-to-energy facility are expected to shoot up 74 per cent, the non-profit report says. The increase is largely due to “significant” capital costs expected to rise over the coming years “as the incinerator is rebuilt piece by piece and air quality requirements are increased.
What do you think? Is the City on the right track here or is this a “terrible idea”, reminiscent of the City’s previous plan to build a massive Green Waste & Organics (GRO) composting facility in the Fraser Foreshore ecological reserve?
Instead of heating homes by burning gas in a furnace, it is possible to install heat pumps that use electricity (in BC, renewable hydro-electricity) to heat and cool residences. It is, perhaps, easiest to install heat pumps in new construction but owners of existing single family homes who can afford it, are also making the switch.
The ability of multi-unit residential buildings such as townhouses, condominiums and co-ops to transition to heat pumps is more challenging. The first question is always “is there sufficient electrical supply to the complex to meet all the electrical needs of the owners, including, for example, EV charging?”. Answering this question can involve owners having to obtain, pay for and provide B.C. Hydro with professional electrical evaluations of their multi-unit residential building, waiting months or years for B.C. Hydro’s electrical designers to respond and possibly facing very expensive upgrades to bring older multi-unit residential buildings up to today’s electrical code. Once electrical upgrades are done, owners of multi-unit residential buildings may be able to organize installation of products that will work for all owners. Alternatively, each owner may be left to coordinate their own heating/cooling solution depending on their unit layout and their budget. This could involve installing a full heat pump, a mini-split heat pump or retaining a gas furnace and installing an outside wall air conditioner. Some heat pump installers are registered with government programs; others are not. Some heat pump installers will help owners apply for government grants to help pay for heat pumps and mini-splits; other times, residents are on their own to apply for grants, like BCHydro rebates.
What is the City of Burnaby doing to assist you and your neighbours to transition your single family home or multi-unit residential building to clean energy? The City will refer you to the province’s CleanBC website and other programs for various housing, and businesses https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/strategies-and-plans/climate-action/zero-emission-buildings-retrofits/climate-friendly-home-upgrades
including https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/ or https://www.betterhomesbc.ca/ and may alert those signed up for City newsletters to webinars offered by third parties.
Some buildings, usually larger public buildings, use the heat and cooling energy of the earth itself (geothermal energy) to heat and cool the building. The Burnaby school district, largely funded by the provincial Ministry of Education, has been ahead of its time, building schools (Burnaby Mountain Secondary, Burnaby North Secondary) and a school board office that run on geothermal energy with solar energy back up if needed.
What is the City of Burnaby doing to promote geothermal energy in suitable public buildings and private developments?
For homeowners who can afford it, roofing companies now often offer solar panel installation as well as roofing. On June 27, 2024, the Provincial Government announced new rebates for those interested in installing solar panels and battery energy storage systems. These rebates are intended to promote sustainable energy choices and reduce electricity costs across the province. New changes in 2026 are updated on the BC Hydro site https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates-programs/solar-battery.html
What is the City of Burnaby doing to promote the use of solar energy for heating and cooling?
