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Paper recycling program announced for St. John�s Mount Pearl, Paradise and Conception Bay South Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today announced an office paper recycling initiative for the cities of St. John �s and Mount Pearl and the towns of Paradise and Conception Bay South. Joining Minister Osborne for the announcement were councillor Frank Galgay, City of St. John�s; Steve Kent, mayor of Mount Pearl; Fred Brown, mayor of Paradise; and Sandra Baggs, deputy mayor of Conception Bay South. Minister Osborne said the new paper fibre recycling program will apply to industrial, commercial and institutional facilities in the four municipalities. "Within a few weeks, I will bring in new provincial regulations that will require businesses and institutions in St. John� s, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Conception Bay South to divert their office waste paper from the landfill at Robin Hood Bay," said the minister. "The regulations will require all businesses or institutions with 25 employees or greater to participate in the recycling program beginning September 1 of this year. All facilities with less than 25 employees will be required to participate in the program on March 1, 2006." The minister said the provincial waste management strategy calls for a reduction of waste going to landfills by 50 per cent, and added that government will take strategic action to meet the goal. "An analysis of waste streams in the province indicates that more than 30 per cent of waste is fibre products, therefore diverting these products from our landfills is key to helping us meet our 50 per cent waste diversion goal," said Minister Osborne. "The recycling initiative that I am announcing today is another step forward in reducing the amount of waste going to our landfills." The minister said under the new program, generators of office paper waste will be required to separate their paper products from the normal waste stream. "The recycling can be done directly with a waste hauler or through a building manager in the case of larger buildings," he added. The kinds of office paper products that can be recycled through the program include white and colour paper, newspapers, business cards, envelopes, post-it notes and file folders. Minister Osborne said he has been assured by industry that the market for these materials is strong. Products not accepted under the program include such items as carbon paper, tissue paper, paper plates and binders. The minister noted that these products provide greater challenges for recycling at this time because they contain contaminants that can affect the quality of the recycled products. Minister Osborne pointed out that while the office paper recycling program only applies to St. John�s, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Conception Bay South, he does anticipate that the program will be extended to other areas in the future. "While we are starting with these four municipalities, who are the highest generators of paper waste in this region, we hope to extend the initiative to other areas of the province, as conditions are appropriate." The minister said he is extremely pleased with the support of the four municipalities for the new recycling program. "I thank them for their commitment to this important initiative and to our environment," said Minister Osborne. "With their support and the respect that businesses and institutions in these municipalities are known to have for the environment, coupled with the strong markets that exist for paper products, I am confident that this recycling initiative will be a success." St. John�s Mayor Andy Wells, who was unable to attend today�s news conference, said the City of St. John�s will make every effort to ensure that the recycling project is a success. "We are encouraging all industrial, institutional and commercial operations that use the Robin Hood Bay landfill to do their part in implementing an office waste paper recycling program." The mayor of Mount Pearl, Steve Kent, said: "I applaud the provincial government for taking leadership on this important environmental issue. Recycling needs to be a higher priority for our communities and our province, and I am extremely pleased that Minister Osborne is advancing this issue on the public agenda. I anticipate that our business community will show real leadership here." "The Town of Paradise fully supports this environmental initiative," said Mayor Fred Brown. "We will cooperate in an educational program, and are prepared to work with our neighbouring communities in helping to decrease the amount of waste going to the regional landfill site from the various business in our area." The Mayor of Conception Bay South, Ron Smith, said the new paper recycling initiative is an important step forward as we move towards better waste management in the region. "The town fully supports government on this initiative and we hope to work on other projects in the future that benefit our environment," said the mayor who was also not able to attend. Minister Osborne said his department will consult with affected businesses and facilities, and provide advice as they prepare for implementation of the office paper fibre recycling program. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board will also provide support to the initiative by working with the four municipalities and industry to develop an educational campaign for the program. "Government is committed to working with all municipalities and businesses around the province to improve waste management," said Minister Osborne. "Protecting the environment is the responsibility of everyone. I believe that by working together we can achieve greater results in our progressive waste management efforts." Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612 2005 01 26 12:20 p.m. |
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