Commercial Paper Recycling Effort Will Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new waste office paper (fibre) recycling effort in St. John�s has received $300,000 in support from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund, thereby diverting waste office paper from landfills and targeting annual reductions of approximately 13,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Through the use of a baling machine Ever Green Environmental Corporation will convert fibre waste, such as white ledger or bond writing papers and loose or bundled newspapers, into a compact manageable product. The system bales the paper into cubes of 70 cubic feet per bale, each weighing some 2,000 pounds, ensuring the most efficient transportation to market. The system is capable of handling 35 metric tonnes of material per hour, or 82,000 metric tonnes annually, based on a five-day week.

�The volumes of fibre materials available for recycling represent an important opportunity to advance targets for reduction of GHG emissions,� said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. �This initiative, by recycling some 17,000 tonnes of materials annually, after four years, will deliver significant environmental benefits. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible, and introducing sustainable development principles into all aspects of society, is our focus as a government.�

This initiative focuses on the industrial, commercial and institutional generators of fibre products, and is expected to employ up to 10 individuals by the fourth year of operation.

The project also secured support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) which has provided $230,000 in funding through its Business Development Program.

�ACOA�s investment has helped Ever Green acquire the capability to recycle commercial waste paper on a significant scale,� said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada�s Opportunity Agency. �With additional support through the $1.5 billion Canada EcoTrust, Ever Green�s actions reflect our government�s goal of achieving greenhouse gas reductions through enhanced waste management practices and techniques.�

Ever Green has established agreements with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited to deliver recyclable paper in support of the mill operations. Under international environmental protocols, paper mills must ensure the use of recyclables in paper-making operations.

The mayor of St. John�s, Dennis O�Keefe, also welcomed the initiative. �Recycling of this amount of office paper represents a saving of over 56,000 cubic yards of landfill, and that is important as we continue to develop our regional waste management site at Robin Hood Bay. I should also note that 17,000 tonnes of office paper equals a saving of over 1.2 million tree seedlings grown over 10 years. That�s environmentalism that helps all of us.�

�As a community-based employer, Ever Green has a very strong mandate to help advance the province�s environmental agenda,� said Ed Drover, Chair of Ever Green Environmental Corporation. �We are really trying to be innovative and forward-looking in our environmental business, always keeping in mind that we are dedicated to employing individuals recovering from mental illness.�

Funding for the project comes from the NL Green Fund, a three-year, $25 million program which is supported by both the federal and provincial governments. This funding is to support projects geared toward environmental sustainability and provide real reductions in GHG emissions.

For more information, or to access an application form, please go to www.gov.nl.ca/env/Env/policy%20and%20planning/greenfund.htm

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