Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program launched

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) today announced details of a two-year Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection program for 14 municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The HHW program, which will run from May 2002 to November 2003, will provide safe hazardous waste collection for participating municipalities, raise awareness of HHW issues, and help establish partnerships and linkages in participating communities. During the two-year program, MMSB will also assist municipalities to develop their own HHW programs.

"The Household Hazardous Waste Collection program will play a very important role in reducing the amount of hazardous wastes going to landfill sites. The collection and recycling of these materials will help eliminate some of the disposal and environmental problems associated with discarding these products in our landfills," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman.

MMSB has contracted with Island Waste Management Inc. to collect, sort, and transport hazardous wastes for treatment, re-use, recycling, and disposal. Between May 2002 and November 2003, MMSB anticipates that each participating municipality will have at least two HHW collection events with the first collections taking place in May and June 2002. Island Waste Management and the participating municipalities are currently working out a collection schedule for the coming year. The dates and specific locations of the collection events will be advertised as they become available.

The funding partners for this two-year program are the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund, Environment Canada�s EcoAction 2000 Program, and the 14 participating municipalities.

In October 1998, MMSB implemented a three-year household hazardous waste pilot program. MMSB worked with federal, provincial, and municipal governments to provide the public with safe disposal services for household hazardous waste. The pilot program also raised awareness about the appropriate disposal of HHWs.

"I am very excited to see MMSB implement a second phase of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection program. The first program was well received by both the municipalities and the general public, and I anticipate another successful program," said Seabright.

MMSB is a Crown agency established by the Department of Environment to develop, implement, and manage a variety of waste diversion programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. MMSB is currently responsible for the Beverage Container Recycling program, the Used Tire Recycling program, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, and the administration of the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund.

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

BACKGROUNDER
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

• In October 1998, MMSB implemented a three-year household hazardous waste pilot program with eight municipalities.
  
  
• From October 1998 to June 2001 safe disposal was provided for 137,346 litres of HHW, 1,018 propane cylinders, and 752 lead-acid batteries. Over three years, services were provided to eight communities with 39 collection events being held.
  
  
• The following towns and cities are participating in phase two of MMSB�s HHW program:
  
  • Channel-Port aux Basques
  • Clarenville
  • Conception Bay South
  • Corner Brook
  • Gander
  • Grand Falls-Windsor
  • Happy Valley-Goose Bay
  • Harbour Breton
  • Labrador City (year two only)
  • Mount Pearl
  • Paradise
  • Pasadena
  • Placentia and area
  • Portugal Cove - St. Phillips
    
    
• Some of the hazardous wastes that will be accepted at the household hazardous waste collection events include:
  
  • paint, cleaning fluids, antifreeze, oil, aerosols, pesticides, fuel, alkali and lead-acid batteries, and propane cylinders.
    
    
• Some of the hazardous wastes that will NOT be accepted at the household hazardous waste collection events include:
  
  • ammunition, explosives, biomedical wastes, asbestos, PCBs, commercial wastes, and fireworks.

2002 04 24                        10:15 a.m.