NLIS 3
February 2, 2006
(Environment and Conservation)
 

Mandatory office paper recycling program to include all businesses as of March 1, 2006

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today reminded businesses in St. John�s, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Conception Bay South that the second phase of the mandatory office paper recycling initiative introduced by government and the four municipalities in 2005 comes into effect on March 1, 2006.

Businesses with 25 or more employees were required to participate in the mandatory office paper recycling program on September 1, 2005. All remaining business will have to comply with the new regulations starting March 1, 2006. The program applies to all industrial, commercial and institutional enterprises in the four municipalities and requires them to set up a system in their premises that ensures all recyclable paper products are separated from the regular waste stream for recycling. The kinds of office paper products to be recycled through the program include white and color paper, newspapers, business cards, envelopes, post-it notes and file folders.

"Since cardboard and paper make up about 30 per cent of our total waste stream, compliance by businesses with this new initiative is critically important to helping the province achieve its goal of reducing the overall amount of waste going to our landfills by 50 per cent," said Minister Osborne. "This will help protect our environment which is the responsibility of each and every one of us, but it will also benefit the economy by stimulating new business opportunities and creating new jobs in the local recycling industry."

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) has worked in partnership with the four municipalities and representatives from their respective business communities to develop and deliver an educational campaign for the organizations affected by the new regulations. This campaign was launched last summer for those businesses that were captured by the program on September 1, 2005 and has recently been re-launched for all other businesses. It includes a direct mail-out from MMSB in which a practical "how-to" guide on paper recycling is provided. The guide focuses on a simple three-step process for starting and implementing a recycling program and provides advice and tips to organizations on how to keep costs manageable. Informational posters for general display in business premises, as well as convenient recycling reminders for use at individual work-stations, are also being made available by MMSB. Businesses can also call a toll-free number for additional support and information to help them get started.

Minister Osborne said the results from the first phase of the program have been very encouraging. Recent consultations with the four municipalities and the business community have revealed a high level of participation and support from the organizations affected by phase one. "The simplicity of the program that has been designed, combined with a "user-friendly" educational campaign implemented by MMSB, has enabled organizations to mount practical recycling efforts with relative ease and in a cost-effective manner," said the minister. "I am confident the second phase of this new initiative will be as successful as the first."

Minister Osborne encouraged all businesses to do the right thing by adhering to the new recycling regulations and expressed his appreciation to those businesses that have already embraced the new initiative with openness and commitment.

Any organization looking for more information on the program or how to get started can contact MMSB at 1-866-371-5559 or either of the four municipalities involved. Detailed information and answers to common questions on office paper recycling are available on MMSB�s web site at www.mmsb.nl.ca

Media contact:
Tina Coffey, Communications, Department of Environment and Conservation (709) 729-5783
Deborah Slade, Communications, MMSB (709) 753-0949

2006 02 02                           1:55 p.m.