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NLIS 4 July 2, 2002 (MHA) This following is being distributed at the request of Anna Thistle, MHA, Grand Falls-Buchans District: EXCITE! Corporation receives grant to recycle used computers Anna Thistle, MHA - Grand Falls-Buchans District, is pleased to announce on behalf of Minister Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, and Gordon Seabright, chairman of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), the awarding of a $6,700 grant to EXCITE! Corporation in Grand Falls-Windsor. This funding is provided under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund. EXCITE! Corporation will use funds from the trust fund to undertake a recycling project to collect unwanted, damaged, and obsolete computer equipment in the Exploits Valley area. "This project will give residents, businesses, municipalities, and community organizations in the region an opportunity to dispose of this equipment in an environmentally friendly manner," said Minister Thistle. "I�m extremely pleased to see EXCITE! Corporation taking on this challenge and I wish them every success." The corporation will also conduct a regional survey to gauge the age of the majority of computers in the province, thereby establishing how often a program like this one should be implemented. Through the program, reusable computer equipment will be distributed to schools in the area. The remaining equipment will be transported out of the province for proper disposal. In July 1999, with surplus funds from the Provincial Recycling Program, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador allocated $3 million in funding for waste management and environmental projects in the province. In October 2000, an additional $4 million was allocated to the Waste Management Trust Fund. The objective of the fund is to provide financial assistance to community groups, municipalities, schools, businesses, and others to aid in the development and implementation of waste management initiatives. 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. Mr. Seabright said: "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. 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." Media contact:
2002 07 02 3:00 p.m. |
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