Turks Gut Heritage Conservation receives Waste Management Trust Fund grant

Environment Minister Bob Mercer and Gordon Seabright, chairman of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), today announced that Turks Gut Heritage Conservation received a grant of $1,000 from the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund.

Turks Gut Heritage Conservation is a non-profit organization working together to upgrade and keep their community clean and beautiful. The organization will use the grant to organize and implement their second annual Cleanup Days program. Through this program, public places such as church properties, playgrounds and town pathways will be cleaned of debris and waste. This project complements the clean-up work already conducted by the organization.

"This initiative of Turks Gut Heritage Conservation is one of many taking place across this province as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are taking the responsibility to ensure that their communities are clean of litter and waste," said Minister Mercer. "I commend all volunteers who are making this possible and who are establishing themselves as stewards of their environment."

Since the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund was established in 1999, government has approved 278 applications and approximately $8 million in contributions. This funding has been disbursed to 300 schools, more than 155 municipalities, 45 environmental and community groups, and several businesses and school districts.

"The residents of Turks Gut will benefit greatly from the money they received from the Trust Fund. This project is an excellent example of how citizens take pride in their community and their environment," said Mr. Seabright.

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, the administration of the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund, and public education and awareness of the Used Oil Recycling Program and the Provincial Waste Management Strategy.

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

2003 04 22                                      11:10 a.m.