September 30, 1997
(Health)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care Association (NLHCA), in cooperation with the Department of Health has awarded a joint venture contract to SCC Environmental of St. John's and Mr. Shredding Waste Management of Moncton, New Brunswick, to provide biomedical waste transportation, treatment and disposal services to health care facilities in the province.

Since 1995 government has reduced the number of incinerators operating in health facilities in the province from 24 to eight. This service will continue in that direction and allow the decommissioning of the remaining existing hospital incinerators that do not meet existing environmental legislation. John Peddle, Executive Director of the NLHCA, said the contract is for five years at a value of $3 million. "The funding for this initiative will come from existing health care facility operating budgets," said Mr. Peddle. "Some of the funding will be redirected from funds currently used to operate the existing incinerators and the Department of Health will provide initial financial assistance in the first year of the contract up to $100,000."

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health, said she was pleased the issue of biomedical waste disposal has been addressed through the awarding of this contract. "This issue has been a concern for government and to a number of people who have complained about emissions from the existing incinerators," said the minister. "The new contract will provide a safe and more environmentally friendly way of disposing this type of material."

Contact: John F. Peddle, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Care Association, P.O. Box 8234, St. John's, NF A1B 3N4, Telephone (709) 364- 7701 , Fax (709) 364-6460 1

Glenn Bruce, Director of Communications, Department of Health, (709) 729-1377