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NLIS 3 August 27, 2002 (Environment) Provincial Used Tire Recycling Program contract awarded Environment Minister Kevin Aylward today announced the awarding of a new contract to Envirotire Shred Inc. for the used tire recycling program. In May 2002, the provincial government announced it would re-evaluate the requirements for collection, transportation and processing of used tires and issue a new Request for Proposals. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) called for a new RFP and began the process for selecting a contractor to implement this program. "The tire recycling program is a key element of our overall Waste Management Strategy which includes disposal bans and waste diversion programs. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 tires are disposed of each year in Newfoundland and Labrador. After reviewing the proposals that were submitted under the Request for Proposals, Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Inc. will be awarded the contract for the collection, transportation and processing of used tires in the province," said Minister Aylward. In the Request for Proposals, the Department of Environment outlined the objectives of the program which are: to ensure used tires generated in Newfoundland and Labrador are disposed of in a manner that is environmentally responsible and acceptable; to ensure that used tires diverted from landfills are recycled into useful value-added products; to install adequate infrastructure for the safe, effective collection and storage of used tires both prior to and subsequent to processing, and to maximize economic benefits for the province. The proposals were submitted and reviewed by the MMSB, in consultation with the Government Purchasing Agency to ensure compliance under the Public Tendering Act. "Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Inc. will be responsible for establishing collection sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, for transporting used tires from those collection sites to its processing facility in Stephenville, and for processing the used tires into marketable products. The company is responsible for marketing and selling its processed product. Initially, the company anticipates creating approximately 18-20 full-time positions when the program is fully implemented," said the minister. "Recycling programs play an important role in reducing the amount of waste going into provincial landfill sites. The collection and recycling of used tires will have a very significant impact on eliminating the environmental problems associated with disposing of tires in landfills," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman. "MMSB is pleased to play a role in developing and implementing the province�s recycling programs, and the board will continue to strive to meet our mandate of working with the Department of Environment and other stakeholders to develop and implement waste diversion programs for the province." The levy on the sale of new tires will be used to cover the cost of administering the used tire program. Effective April 1, 2002, in accordance with government regulations, tire retailers have been remitting a levy of $3.00 on all new passenger and light truck tires with a rim size up to17 inches, and a $9.00 levy on tires with a rim size greater than 17 inches. The used tire recycling program will be administered by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, a crown agency with a mandate to develop, implement, and manage waste diversion programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Media contact:
2002 08 27 2:20 p.m. |
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