Residential curbside recycling coming to City of Mount Pearl

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and Mount Pearl Mayor Steve Kent today announced a new residential curbside recycling program for the City of Mount Pearl. Also on hand for the announcement were John Scott, Chair and CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), Waterford Valley MHA Harvey Hodder and Mount Pearl MHA Dave Denine.

Under the new curbside recycling program, household paper, cardboard and other fibre products will be collected for recycling from Mount Pearl residents as part of the city�s regular garbage collection service. The city will be adopting a new regulation to make fibre recycling mandatory, effective October 3, 2005, by requiring all residents to place paper, cardboard and other fibre waste products in a separate clear bag from their other household waste on their regular garbage collection day. A request for proposals will be issued by the city in the near future for the sale of the fibre products it will collect through the curbside recycling program.

Minister Osborne said he is extremely pleased that Mount Pearl is implementing a mandatory curbside recycling program. "The City of Mount Pearl is to be commended for showing leadership in recycling," said Minister Osborne. "This is an important environmental initiative that will divert fibre waste from the landfill and help our province achieve its overall 50 per cent waste diversion goal. Waste diversion programs for products where markets are strong, like paper and cardboard, and programs that are convenient for residents, such as the one being announced today, are key to ensuring a successful province-wide waste diversion and recycling strategy."

The minister noted that this initiative builds on the new mandatory office paper recycling program that was announced for Mount Pearl, St. John�s, Conception Bay South and Paradise in January, as well as the ban on industrial, commercial and institutional cardboard waste that is in place at the regional landfill at Robin Hood Bay.

"As we celebrate our 50th anniversary as a municipality, the announcement of our curbside fibre recycling program is very timely," said Mayor Kent. "Over the past 50 years, our community has taken great pride in Mount Pearl's first-class municipal services and our use of innovative approaches in delivering these services. Once again we find ourselves at the threshold of a new era. Being a leader in implementing curbside recycling in this region is the responsible thing to do for our citizens today and for generations to follow. I believe that our progressive and vibrant community will make this project an overwhelming success."

Funding for the curbside recycling program will include assistance from the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board in the amount of $200,000 to help offset some of the start-up capital and transition costs associated with the program. An educational campaign for residents will also be supported by MMSB in partnership with the city. The City of Mount Pearl will assume all other costs, including any additional measures necessary to expand the program in the future to capture other recyclable products from residents.

Harvey Hodder said: "I am very exited that a curbside recycling program will be put in place for Mount Pearl residents. Such an important waste diversion initiative is an example of what can be achieved when we work together to help protect our environment and our communities in which we live. I encourage all residents to support and participate actively in the new recycling program."

"Taking pride in their community and protecting the environment have always been a priority for the people of Mount Pearl. This new curbside recycling program is another step forward in the city�s progressive environmental efforts and attitude. I commend the provincial government, MMSB, as well as the city and its residents for such a great accomplishment," said Dave Denine.

Minister Osborne added that government will continue to work with municipalities and other stakeholders in implementing sound waste diversion and recycling programs as we move forward to achieve a modern waste management system in Newfoundland and Labrador. "Today�s announcement is about being pro-active and progressive. However, the underlying ingredient is partnership � by working together we can put in place sustainable waste diversion initiatives that help protect our environment and at the same time foster economic and employment opportunities in the recycling industry," said the minister.

Media contact:
Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575 or 682-6612
Mount Pearl Mayor Steve Kent, (709) 748-1030

2005 03 09                     2:20 p.m.