Municipal Affairs
Environment and Conservation
July 23, 2009Province Provides $445,000 to Support
Waste Management Pilot Project in
Trinity Conception Bay North
The implementation of a waste transfer pilot project in the Trinity
Conception Bay North sub-region of the Greater Avalon will support
closure of four existing dump sites in the region, including the
incinerator at Old Pelican.
"We are pleased to provide approximately $445,000 to the Trinity
Conception Bay North Waste Management Committee to advance their efforts
for effective waste transfer to the regional site," said the Honourable
Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "This pilot project will
support the transportation and delivery of all waste from the
communities of New Chelsea to Kingston, and demonstrate the
effectiveness of operating a transfer station as a means of transporting
waste to the regional waste management site at Robin Hood Bay."
Communities will bring their garbage to the transfer station using
existing transportation methods, with a larger vehicle transporting the
waste to Robin Hood Bay. This approach is an interim solution for the
area to allow the communities to close existing landfills and
incinerators and prepare themselves for further implementation of the
Provincial Waste Management Strategy.
The total number of municipal waste sites closed province-wide as a
result of this strategy is 58, and the total number of incinerators
decommissioned is 37.
"I am very pleased to see these communities are working hand in hand
to create a cleaner, greener province for the coming generations," said
the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and
Conservation. "This investment is another example of government�s
efforts to support regional management authorities and help us achieve
our 50 per cent waste reduction goal. Our government is committed to
developing long-term waste management solutions that will benefit our
environment."
"From a regional perspective this pilot project will help us prepare
for the development and implementation of the comprehensive plan for the
region as we gain valuable experience with the design and operation of a
transfer station prior to investing in the roll out of this
infrastructure for other areas in the region," said Ken Kelly, Chair of
the Greater Avalon Regional Waste Management Committee. "As we implement
this pilot it will reduce the risk for our partners � municipalities,
institutions and private industry, as we learn how they can participate,
be creative and competitive in this approach to waste management."
"The closures of waste sites and incinerators are positive efforts
and support the important work of protecting our environment, and
securing waste management services throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador," said Minister Whalen. "These are positive efforts to continue
the advancement of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy."
The $200 million Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy will
introduce three full-service regional waste management facilities on the
Avalon, Central and Western areas of the island portion of the province,
and programs for the zones in Labrador to meet the provincial waste
management goals. The provincial strategy will aim to reduce the amount
of waste going into landfills in the province by 50 per cent, supported
by the use of disposal bans and development of new waste diversion
programs. The Greater Avalon Regional Site is expected to be operational
by 2010, the Central site by 2011, and the Western Regional site no
later than 2016.
It is expected that full implementation of the strategy will occur by
2020.
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