ERM2026-014 Regional Commercial-Grade Wash Facility for Reusable Food and Beverage Containers - RFI

The CRD is exploring the development of a regional commercial-grade reusable cup and container wash facility (“wash facility”) as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on single‑use items (SUIs) and to accelerate the transition toward reuse‑based systems. The CRD’s 2022 Waste Composition Study¹ found that the Institutional, Commercial and Industrial (ICI) sector generated an average of 248.6 single-use items (SUIs) per 100 kg sample, 63% of which were plastic food service ware. This exploration will help the CRD assess ways to reduce the number of SUIs going to Hartland Landfill, contributing to the broader target of reaching 250 kg of waste per capita. This potential initiative also aligns with Strategy 2 (Encourage Waste Prevention) and Strategy 4 (Support Reuse Activities in the Region) in the CRD’s 2021 Solid Waste Management Plan², the provincially approved plan for managing and reducing solid waste in the capital region.

Reuseable cup and container systems are increasingly recognized as one of the most effective alternatives to single‑use products. As governments, institutions and businesses seek practical ways to meet waste reduction and climate commitments, reuse is gaining momentum as a scalable and high‑impact solution. Across many jurisdictions, pilot programs and permanent reuse initiatives are expanding in food service, events, institutional settings and retail. These initiatives demonstrate growing interest but also highlight the need for shared infrastructure to support widespread adoption. A wash facility is widely understood to be foundational infrastructure for successful reuseable container systems.

This RFI is intended to gather non‑binding information from potential service providers, technology vendors, operators and partners. Specifically, the responses to this RFI will help the CRD:Understand existing and emerging wash facility models; Identify technical requirements, capacity ranges, and operational constraints; Explore governance, ownership, and partnership structures; Gauge overall market readiness and regional interest; and Understand how the CRD could support the establishment of a wash facility.