Western Regional Waste Management Committee 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 that the Western Regional Waste Management Committee received a grant under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund.

This waste management committee has received funding from the trust fund to hire a regional waste reduction coordinator for a one-year period. The regional coordinator is responsible for developing diversion strategies for the approval of the waste management committee for all waste generated in the region and carries out research as required on solid waste diversion issues.

Since the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund was established in 1999, government has approved 277 applications and approximately $7 million in contributions. This funding has been disbursed to 285 schools, more than 155 municipalities, 45 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, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575.

2002 10 22                                         1:25 p.m.