The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board:

Green Bay Waste Management Authority receives grant from Waste Management Trust Fund

Environment Minister Bob Mercer and Gordon Seabright, chairman of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), are pleased to announce $1,200 in funding for the Green Bay Waste Management Authority for public education and awareness activities.

The Waste Management Authority will use the Trust Fund grant to research and develop an informational article for submission in the local newspaper during Environment Week in June. The article will be distributed throughout the Green Bay region and will contain tips on backyard composting, pollution statistics and waste diversion initiatives for the home and work place.

"An important part of implementing a solid waste management plan in this province is ensuring that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are aware of what they can do in their daily lives to reduce the amount of waste that goes to our landfill sites," said Minister Mercer. "I commend the Green Bay Waste Management Authority for taking this educational initiative to educate the people of this region."

Since the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund was established in 1999, government has approved 284 applications and approximately $8 million in contributions. This funding has been disbursed to 300 schools, more than 160 municipalities, 45 environmental and community groups, and several businesses, school districts and waste management authorities.

"This initiative better inform the residents in the Green Bay area on ways to reduce their waste," said Gordon Seabright. "It is through education and awareness activities that communities will be successful in implementing the Provincial Waste Management Strategy in their region."

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 regarding 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 05 16                                        2:40 p.m.