The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

The status of the Green Back - Trash to Cash Program

I rise today to present to the House of Assembly, a status report on one of the most progressive environmental initiatives ever undertaken in this province.

On January 15, 1997, government launched the Green Back Trash to Cash Program for beverage containers. This program is fundamentally a deposit-refund system for beverage containers. Consumers pay a deposit at the point of purchase and receive a refund when the empty container is returned to a Green Depot. This initiative will reduce litter, add to our recycling efforts and create jobs. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say today that there are 36 green depots in full operation throughout the province employing more than 100 people.

In addition to the green depots, a number of mechanisms have been established to provide residents of the province with access to the program. In Labrador, in addition to the green depots in Goose Bay and Wabush, there is a satellite depot in Churchill Falls. As well, we are also making special arrangements with schools in coastal Labrador.

Mobile collection systems are established in various regions around the province, such as the Port au Port Peninsula, the Burin Peninsula, the Gander Loop and on the southwest coast of the province.

Mr. Speaker, another mechanism for servicing rural areas is the sub-depot, also referred to as a satellite depot. Many of the green depot operators have established satellite depots in surrounding communities and provide regular pick-up service. Satellite depots are being established in communities throughout this province where a licensed green depot has not yet been established.

Mr. Speaker, schools in this province have always been active in recycling and this new deposit-refund program provides an excellent fund raising opportunity for schools, youth groups and other organizations. Depot operators have arranged pick-up service for the schools throughout the province.

Mr Speaker, in the coming months we will begin our evaluation of this program. At that time, we will assess the need for more depots or other changes to the program. This government and the beverage industry in this province are committed to providing the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador with an efficient, effective and affordable recycling program and we will continue to work towards that objective.

Even though this program is still in its infancy, I say to my colleagues that we are making tremendous progress in delivering this initiative. Mr. Speaker, as of last week, 16 million beverage containers have been returned for recycling. To date, Mr. Speaker, 160 tractor trailer loads of empty beverage containers and other materials have been shipped to various locations in Atlantic Canada to be processed for recycling. At this rate, we will surely meet our first year goal of a 50 per cent reduction in the amount of beverage containers going to landfills.

Mr. Speaker, the Trash to Cash Program has also been received very favourably by the people in this province. About a month ago, I received a letter from a seven year old boy in Goose Bay and this is what he said:

"Dear Honourable Minister:

We love the recycling program that you set up in Goose Bay. We would like to do more recycling. So could you put in a recycling newspaper spot, also? And could you put in a recycling milk carton spot as well? I'm seven years old, and I love to recycle. So please do everything I ask. Oh, yeah, and one more thing. We recycle all our cans and bottles, and we recycle all our food scraps in a compost heap in our garden. The birds love it, and our garden loves it. Sincerely, Daniel Hayden"

Mr. Speaker, there is truth and wisdom in these comments from one so young. It is the youth of this province who urged us most to implement this program and it is the youth of this province that will benefit most from this program. I say as well, Mr. Speaker, that it could not have come at a better time. As we continue to prepare ourselves for Cabot 500 celebrations, this program will provide additional incentive to ensure that the province is kept clean and beautiful.

Mr. Speaker, the deposit-refund recycling program implemented by government focuses on beverage containers at this stage, but the Multi- Material Stewardship Board will soon begin to develop programs for paper, milk cartons, used tires, used batteries and other consumer packaging.

A recent poll illustrated that more than 70 per cent of the general public like the new deposit-refund system. As the program matures and more people are provided with access to green depots and drop off points, the popularity of this program will undoubtedly increase. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on the steadily growing success of this program; a program that has countless benefits for the province from an environmental, social and economic perspective.

Mr. Speaker, the money collected for this program is used entirely to finance the deposit-refund system, which includes payment to depot operators, transportation, processing, administration, etc.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the beverage industry in this province have worked closely and cooperatively to bring the people of this province an efficient, effective and affordable recycling program. The Trash to Cash Program is a very successful recycling program for the province which will benefit the people of this province for years to come.