March 13, 2000
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Employee recycling efforts help environment, local non-profits

The recycling efforts of provincial government employees in St. John�s over the past year and a half resulted in an $8,000 rebate, which employees have donated to local not-for-profit groups. Today, on behalf of government employees, Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, presented cheques of $1,000 to eight charitable organizations.

"The fact that over 250,000 pounds of paper products were recycled to raise this money only goes to show that employees have embraced the idea of recycling in the workplace," said Minister Woodford. "I think it speaks volumes about their commitment to the environment and their desire to support local organizations."

Each year, government employees vote for which organizations will receive donations from their recycling activities. The groups receiving donations today include the School Lunch Program, Juvenile Diabetes Association, Elizabeth House, Newfoundland and Labrador Downs Syndrome Society, Community Food Sharing Association, Naomi Centre, Iris Kirby House and the VOCM Cares Foundation/Happy Tree Project.

Employee recycling is coordinated through the provincial government�s Interdepartmental Recycling Committee. The committee, established in 1993, is made up of representatives from the various departments at the Confederation Building and other provincial government buildings in St. John's. The purpose of the committee is to organize and promote the recycling programs at these facilities and to look at the possibilities for promotion to other areas of government.

The province also has an agreement with Evergreen Recycling, which is operated by the Waterford Hospital Foundation. Evergreen Recycling collects beverage containers from provincial buildings and then uses the proceeds to help support their program. From December 1998 to February 2000, Evergreen collected 42,500 beverage containers from Confederation Building for a total donation of $1,290.

Other groups who have received donations in the past include: the Grace Hospital�s Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Wish Foundation, Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Community Food Sharing Association, Iris Kirby House, Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Gathering Place, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kids Help Foundation, Parkinson�s Foundation of Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador, Rainbow Riders and the St. John's School Lunch Association.

"Through this project, employees become more aware of environmental issues, actively contribute to helping improve the environment and provide some much needed funds to local charitable organizations," said Woodford. "This is a very positive initiative on the part of employees and the committee and they should be very proud of their efforts."

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2000 03 13                                             4:00 p.m.