Resources From Waste:
Integrated Resource Recovery (IRR)

Integrated Resource Recovery (IRR) forms an integral part of Green Communities. IRR is an approach and a set of tools for planning and managing community infrastructure to maximize the recovery of value from waste resources.   In April of 2009, the Ministry of Community and Rural Development (at the time known as the Ministry of Community Development) released the Resources from Waste: A Guide to Integrated Resource Recovery (PDF, 4.24 MB) report in order to assist local governments to plan and implement a wide range of IRR projects. The Guide expands on a preliminary study (PDF, 1.94 MB) released one year previously.

• reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;
• reduce pollution and divert waste from municipal, industrial, and resource sectors to beneficial uses;
• reduce demand for new resources and infrastructure by providing local sources of clean energy, nutrients, and water;
• delay or offset the purchase or expansion of infrastructure; and
• generate new economic opportunities and new sources of revenue.

Pollution Prevention Hierarchy

• Agricultural Plan;
• Air Action Plan;
• Bioenergy Strategy;
• Climate Action Plan;
• Energy Efficient Building Strategy;
• Energy Plan; and,
• Living Water Smart Plan.

Existing IRR Projects in British Columbia

List of Qualified Suppliers of IRR Services

Information Resources:

• Resources from Waste: Integrated Resource Management Study (PDF, 1.94MB) - May 2008
• Resources from Waste: A Guide to Integrated Resource Recovery (PDF, 4.19MB) - April 2009
• External Links - October, 2009
• IRR Case Studies - October, 2009
• IRR Project Inventory (PDF, 302KB) - October, 2009
• List of Qualified Suppliers (PDF, 291KB) - October, 2009

Ministry Contact Information: