The following statement was issued today by Tom Osbourne, Minister of Environment and Conservation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Paper and cardboard recycling in Confederation Building

I rise today to advise the Honourable House of a recycling initiative of the Departments of Environment and Conservation and Transportation and Works that demonstrates government’s commitment to progressive waste management and protecting our environment.

Effective March 31, 2004, a mandatory paper and cardboard recycling program will be in place for the east and west blocks of Confederation Building. Cardboard and paper will no longer be allowed to be discarded through regular garbage disposal.

There have been increased efforts by many individual departments and government’s Interdepartmental Recycling Committee regarding paper recycling over the past couple of years and I commend all employees for their efforts to date. However, we recognize that more needs to be done. Government is dedicated to showing leadership in all areas that help protect our environment. A mandatory recycling program for paper and cardboard demonstrates not only our leadership, but also our dedication to prudent and progressive waste management.

The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Green Committee and members of the Interdepartmental Recycling Committee are available to give advice to departments in their paper and cardboard recycling efforts. As well, a PaperWise bulletin has been posted on the Green Committee’s Web site to give employees some guidance on how to reduce paper consumption.

An analysis of waste streams in the province shows that approximately 30 per cent of waste going to landfills is paper and cardboard. A mandatory waste diversion program for paper and cardboard at Confederation Building is another important step forward in the implementation of the province’s Waste Management Strategy and our goal of a 50 per cent reduction in the amount of waste going to landfills in our province. We will also be considering a mandatory paper and cardboard recycling program in other government buildings in the future.

I wish to point out, that other recycling programs for such products as beverage containers also exist within Confederation Building and we encourage people to participate in these waste diversion efforts.

Government is committed to going beyond mandatory cardboard recycling within its own operations. I am pleased to say that I recently struck a working group of government officials, the MMSB, the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities to prepare a report on what can be achieved in paper/cardboard recycling in the province. I expect a report in about six weeks.

I look forward to that report and possible implementation of diversion programs and a strategic approach to paper/cardboard recycling throughout the province.

Putting in place a mandatory paper and cardboard recycling program for Confederation Building is all about leading by example and taking action to protect our environment. Government will continue to show leadership and take action. As we move forward in our efforts to achieve province-wide modern waste management.

2004 03 24                                         2:20 p.m.