NLIS 3
January 31, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)


Paper and cardboard recycling program announced for Lewisporte

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and Lewisporte Mayor Bill Hooper today announced recycling initiatives that will see paper and cardboard waste diverted from the landfill in Lewisporte. Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for the District of Lewisporte, also participated in the announcement.

Minister Osborne said provincial regulations will soon be developed which will ban the disposal of cardboard from businesses and institutions at the Lewisporte landfill. "My department is currently working with representatives from the Town of Lewisporte to prepare new regulations which will require all businesses and institutions to divert their corrugated cardboard from the landfill site in the town. The new regulations will come into effect September 1, 2005," said Minister Osborne.

Furthermore, in its efforts to remove residential cardboard and paper waste from the Lewisporte landfill, the Town of Lewisporte will be implementing a residential paper and cardboard waste diversion program, also beginning September 1 of this year. Under both initiatives, the Town of Lewisporte will partner with the Calypso Green Depot whereby residents will be asked to bring their fibre waste to the Green Depot and commercial haulers will be able to bring their cardboard to the Green Depot as well.

"The Town of Lewisporte will be asking its residents to bring their household paper and cardboard to Calypso, rather than putting it in their regular garbage," said Minister Osborne. "We are confident that Lewisporte residents will participate in this program, as they have in the past with other Calypso-related projects."

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) will assist the initiative by offsetting some of the start-up capital costs to help Calypso put the infrastructure in place that will allow for the implementation of a new permanent fibre recycling program for the town. Discussions are ongoing between MMSB and Calypso in this regard. MMSB will also be assisting the Town of Lewisporte and Calypso in carrying out an educational program for residents and businesses regarding the two new recycling initiatives.

Scotia Recycling is also partnering in the recycling initiative by providing Calypso with a cardboard bailer and a market outlet for all the cardboard and paper products collected by Calypso.

"This is another example of a good partnership where everyone comes together for a new waste diversion initiative and the protection of our environment, while also fostering employment opportunities in the recycling industry," said Minister Osborne. "I commend the Town of Lewisporte and the Calypso Foundation for showing leadership in good environmental practices. Government will continue to work with communities and other stakeholders around the province to help reduce the amount of waste going to our landfills by 50 per cent, as outlined in the provincial waste management strategy."

Mayor Hooper said the Town of Lewisporte is extremely pleased with the cardboard and paper recycling initiatives announced today. "We fully support a cardboard and paper recycling program, and will make every effort to ensure that this program is a success for the benefit of the Town of Lewisporte, its residents, the environment, the landfill site, and to strengthen the employment potential for the Calypso Foundation," said the mayor.

The mayor said that the town council is eager to bring in the new recycling initiative and is currently investigating the necessary procedures to put the concept into reality. "This will require the cooperation and assistance of both residents and businesses. With the cooperation of everyone, we can successfully and effectively eliminate approximately 30 to 40 per cent of waste material going to our landfill site. This will contribute to Lewisporte�s legacy of a clean and friendly place to live, work and grow," added Mayor Hooper.

Minister Rideout said: "I am pleased to see this recycling project taking place in my district. Approximately 30 to 40 per cent of the solid waste in the Lewisporte district is paper and cardboard. This project will go a long way toward generating employment and creating a cleaner environment for the district."

Michael Pearce, chair of Calypso recycling initiatives, said: "The Calypso Foundation is extremely pleased and excited to move forward with new recycling initiatives that will serve to improve the environment and provide work opportunities for Calypso participants."

Media contact:
Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612
Mayor Bill Hooper, (709) 535 -6970 or 535-2268
Michael Pearce, Calypso Foundation, (709) 535-2480

2005 01 31                             11:00 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement