Robert�s Arm Volunteer Fire Department receives Waste Management Trust Fund grant

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, and Gordon Seabright, Chairman of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), are pleased to announce a grant under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund to the Robert�s Arm Volunteer Fire Department.

Since 1997, the Robert�s Arm Volunteer Fire Department has been operating as the Green Depot for the Robert�s Arm area. With the tremendous growth of the Beverage Recycling Program, and more emphasis on waste diversion, the current facility is unable to adequately accommodate the increased volume of material being brought to the depot. In order to continue to service the area, the Green Depot received $17,000 to expand and renovate the existing building. The increase in storage space will allow the Green Depot to operate more efficiently thereby providing better service to their recycling customers.

Since the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund was established in 1999, government has approved 246 applications and approximately $6.3 million in contributions. This funding has been disbursed to 280 schools, more than 150 municipalities, 35 environmental and community groups, and several businesses and school districts.

"We all have a role to play in waste management. While government is responsible for implementing a provincial waste management strategy and for setting standards, guidelines and policies, it is the people who ultimately implement modern waste management by changing attitudes and behaviours towards the handling of solid waste. When communities, local organizations, and volunteers participate everyone benefits," said Minister Aylward.

"I am pleased with the success of the trust fund initiative. The implementation of these projects has helped clean up our communities, educate the public, and divert waste from our landfills," said Gordon Seabright. "As the province moves forward with the provincial waste management strategy, MMSB will continue to meet its mandate of working with the Department of Environment and other stakeholders to develop and implement new waste diversion programs for the province."

For information on MMSB and the Waste Management Trust Fund contact: Karen O�Neill, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, (709) 753-0949

Media contact: Cynthia Layden Barron, Communications, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575.

2002 09 12                                     11:30 a.m.