NLIS 3
March 25, 2003
(Environment)

 

Minister announces continuation of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

Environment Minister Bob Mercer announced today the continuation of the Multi-Materials Stewarship Board�s (MMSB) collection program for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is the second year of the two-year program which provides safe collection and disposal of hazardous wastes.

"The Household Hazardous Waste Program is yet another government initiative which reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites throughout the province," said Minister Mercer. "The department continues to work with MMSB, municipalities and industry to initiate province-wide waste management programs. We are clearly moving forward to reach the objectives we outlined in our provincial waste management strategy."

MMSB has contracted with Island Waste Management Incorporated to collect, sort, and transport hazardous wastes for treatment, re-use, recycling, and disposal. In 2003, the program will provide safe collection and disposal of hazardous wastes for 12 municipalities and one regional waste management authority. Island Waste Management and the participating municipalities will work out a collection schedule for the coming year. The dates and specific locations of each collection event will be advertised as they are established.

"The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program plays a very important role in reducing the amount of hazardous wastes going to landfill sites," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman. "Last year�s HHW Program was a tremendous success and I am looking forward to another great year."

Between May and November 2003, each participating community will have one or more events. These events will provide safe hazardous waste collection, raise awareness of HHW issues, and help establish partnerships and linkages in participating communities. The funding partners for this program are the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund, EcoAction- Environment Canada�s Community Funding Program, and the participating communities.

From May to October 2002, 60,000 litres of hazardous waste was collected through the HHW Program. Eighteen events were held in 14 municipalities and more than 2,300 households participated. In addition to providing the public with safe disposal services for household hazardous waste, the program also raised awareness about the appropriate disposal of HHWs.

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 responsible for the Beverage Container and Used Tire Recycling Programs, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, and the administration of the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund.

Media Contact:
          Karen O�Neill, MMSB, Communications, (709) 753-0949
          Carmel Turpin, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575

BACKGROUNDER
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

  • From October 1998 to November 2002, 47 collection events have been held, more than 7,000 vehicles served, and 221,466 litres of household hazardous waste collected.
  • The following communities are participating in this year�s HHW program:
  • Channel-Port aux Basques
  • Clarenville
  • Conception Bay South
  • Corner Brook
  • Gander
  • Grand Falls-Windsor
  • Green Bay Waste Authority
  • Happy Valley-Goose Bay
  • Labrador City
  • Mount Pearl
  • Paradise
  • Placentia and Area
  • Portugal Cove - St. Phillips
  • Some of the hazardous wastes that will be accepted at the HHW 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 HHW collection events include:
  • ammunition, explosives, biomedical wastes, asbestos, PCBs, commercial wastes, and fireworks.

2003 03 25                                       4:40 p.m.


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