MMSB announces used tire recycling plan Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and John Scott, Chair and CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), announced today the final phase of government's new approach to the used tire recycling program in Newfoundland and Labrador. MMSB will implement a solution to the used tire recycling program through one of two definitive business strategies. Following the public request for proposals issued last year, MMSB has entered into an agreement-in-principle with a Newfoundland and Labrador engineering company to establish an innovative technology-based tire recycling venture in the province. The company intends to establish a state-of-the-art plant to produce high value recycled products from scrap tires and create approximately 14 permanent jobs in the process. MMSB has given the company until October 31, 2006 to solidify the private investment it requires for implementation, at which time a formal contract will be awarded by MMSB and full details of the venture announced publicly. If the company is not successful in raising the required investment capital by October 31, 2006, MMSB will move forward with a tire derived aggregate (TDA) business strategy in which used tires will be processed into TDA, under the direct control of MMSB, for use in civil engineering applications in the province. A TDA processing plant will be established by MMSB in this circumstance. Minister Jackman said he is extremely pleased with the decisions taken by MMSB. A Upon the withdrawal of Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Incorporated from the program in 2004, government stressed that it remained committed to this important recycling program and was determined to see the program succeed on a sustainable business-like basis in keeping with the highest environment standards," said the minister. "I am confident that MMSB's action plan announced today, combined with the new tire collection system it put in place throughout the province last year, will bring an effective long-term solution to the challenges that have confronted the program since its inception in 2002." MMSB also announced today that it has contracted a Quebec-based recycling company to permanently dispose of the existing stockpile of used tires at Stephenville. This stockpile is not needed to support the business plan of the technology-based venture selected by MMSB, and the condition of the material that was partially processed by the former operator of the tire recycling plant in Stephenville is not suitable for reprocessing as TDA or other feasible locally available applications. Furthermore, the building that housed the tire recycling plant is now required by the Town of Stephenville for a potential new business enterprise. Removal of the stockpile will commence immediately and will be completed by the end of the calendar year. The remaining two stockpiles of used tires at Placentia and Bull Arm as well as the ongoing supply of tires generated on the island will be recycled through either the technology-based venture or through MMSB's TDA business strategy. With respect to used tires generated in Labrador, MMSB has been disposing of most of those tires over the past two years through a number of short-term contracts with Quebec-based recyclers (for practical and logistical business reasons), and will be calling for long-term proposals in this regard in the very near future. Mr. Scott said, "The Board of Directors of MMSB has determined that the technology-based venture represents the most advantageous approach for recycling used tires in Newfoundland and Labrador over the long-term and also offers the greatest potential to maximize economic benefits for the province. For these reasons, we are willing to be patient with the company to see if it can raise the investment capital required for implementation. However, if it is not able to do so, MMSB will be ready to advance its TDA business strategy immediately thereafter. In fact, MMSB will be taking a number of concrete steps over the intervening period to ensure its contingency plan is well positioned for full execution on a timely basis if required." Mr. Scott also took the opportunity today to remind the public that they can drop off used tires at no cost to any tire retailer in the province during normal business hours. He also said that MMSB will continue to collect used tires from all retailers on a regularly scheduled basis in keeping with the new collection system that was implemented in 2005. MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the Minister of Environment and Conservation. Its mandate is to support modern waste management practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Media contact: BACKGROUNDERS Civil engineering applications for tire derived aggregate (TDA) utinely utilized in Europe and North America today. The State of Maine, supported by the University of Maine, is considered a leader in North America. For more information visit their web site at www.useit.umaine.edu/factsheet/fsts.htm MMSB request for proposals (RFP) process
2006 08 14 9:10 a.m. |
|
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 |