NLIS 3
September 18, 2001
(Environment)
 

The following is being distributed on behalf of Multi-Materials Stewardship Board: 

MMSB announces increase in recycling rates for beverage containers

For a second consecutive quarter there has been an increase in recycling rates in the province. Recycling rates for beverage containers increased 37.6 per cent in August 2001 compared to the same month last year, according to figures released today by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB). Recycling rates for June were up 18 per cent from the previous year, while those for July increased 28 per cent. Overall for the year, recycling rates were up more than 16 per cent from January to August over the same eight-month period in 2000. 

"There are several factors responsible for this increase,"said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman. "Increasing the consumer refund to five cents per container and an increase in consumer awareness of recycling are largely responsible for the rise in recycling rates." 

The province's beverage container recycling program is administered by MMSB, a Crown agency established by the Department of Environment to develop, implement and, where appropriate, manage a variety of waste diversion programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. MMSB is currently responsible for the beverage container recycling program and the administration of the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund.

Media contact: Karen O'Neill, MMSB, (709) 753-0949.

BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAM
VOLUME COMPARISONS: 2000 - 2001

TOTALS

2001 09 18                                    12:20 p.m.