Environment and Conservation
April 30, 2010
Newfoundland and Labrador Celebrates Compost Awareness
Week
Compost Awareness Week is May 2-8 and the Multi-Materials Stewardship
Board (MMSB) reminds all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to get
involved in this important waste management activity and help the
province achieve its Get to Half goal.
"Organic waste makes up 30 per cent of all waste that is generated in
Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson,
Minister of Environment and Conservation. "Composting plays an important
role in diverting this potentially harmful waste from our landfills and
helps work toward achieving our 50 per cent waste reduction goal. It
also creates rich organic soil that can enhance our lawns and gardens. I
encourage all residents to learn more about this important environmental
measure and get involved in composting activities at home, work and
school."
"The MMSB is committed to educating and motivating the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador about the benefits of composting," said Leigh
Puddester, MMSB's Chair and CEO. "This Compost Awareness Week, we are
pleased to announce partnerships and programs with Memorial University
of Newfoundland Botanical Garden, Memorial University's Division of
Lifelong Learning, and the Town of Holyrood that will offer numerous
opportunities for people to become involved."
Lunchtime demonstrations at the Botanical Garden will be held each
day Monday through to Saturday. All activities are free. For a complete
list of times and details visit www.mun.ca/botgarden
MMSB is also working with Memorial's Lifelong Learning this year to
offer two free public workshops on backyard composting. The workshops
will take place on May 2 in Corner Brook and May 16 in St. John's. The
two-hour sessions will provide the learning required to begin backyard
composting. For more information and to register, visit
www.mun.ca/lifelonglearning
"We are pleased to be working with MMSB, and we encourage people to
take advantage of the free events taking place throughout Compost
Awareness Week at Botanical Garden," said Anne Madden, Botanical
Garden's Education Co-ordinator. "Bring the whole family to enjoy the
Three Cheers for Composting Family Program on Sunday, May 2 for
children's compost crafts and activities, duck feeding, story time and a
3R Hike."
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor was the first place to introduce
community composting in Newfoundland and Labrador more than five years
ago. MMSB has worked with the town to develop a Community Composting
Pilot Program for the entire province. The Town of Holyrood is the first
community to participate in this pilot program, and the MMSB will
partner with the Town of Holyrood to conduct an information session for
residents of the community to learn how easy it is to participate in
this environmentally responsible activity. The session will take place
on Saturday, May 8, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Holyrood Community
Centre.
As part of Compost Awareness Week, waste reduction specialists from
the MMSB will also give presentations at various schools throughout the
province, including presentations at Holy Cross Elementary School in
Holyrood, to promote the benefits of backyard composting, community
composting and vermicomposting (composting with worms). For more
information about composting, call MMSB at 1-866-371-5559 or visit
online at www.mmsb.nl.ca
MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the Minister of
Environment and Conservation. MMSB supports 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.
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