Environment and Conservation
May 31, 2010Environment Week
Presents Opportunities to Get to Half
The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is
challenging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to commit to adding one
waste reduction activity to their normal routines this Environment Week,
May 30 to June 5. Environment Week provides the opportunity to focus on
how individual actions can benefit the environment, one act at a time,
one person at a time.
"It's important to remember, especially during
Environment Week, that every effort counts, big or small," said the
Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.
"As the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy is rolled out across
the province, we see that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are
eager to embrace waste reduction activities. Our government is dedicated
to reducing the amount of waste going to our landfills by 50 per cent
and achieving this goal starts with improving our individual waste
practices."
The MMSB encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
to reduce waste at home, work and school through its Get to Half
promotional campaigns.
"The Get to Half message is simple. It's about making
small changes to our daily routines, and by doing so, we realize how
easy it is to make an environmental impact," said Leigh Puddester, MMSB
Chair and CEO. "We don't need to be perfect - if each one of us does
something more to help, the results add up."
Examples of waste reduction activities include:
Spring Clean - donate items you no longer need
or find a new use for them;
Get Mugged - enjoy your daily fix in a
reusable coffee mug;
Go Paper-Less - read documents on screen or
print double-sided;
Waste-Free Lunch - pack your lunch in reusable
containers and in a reusable bag;
Reusable Bag Bonanza - when shopping use
reusable shopping bags;
Recycle it Up - recycle all beverage
containers;
Compost Crazy - 30 per cent or more of all
waste can be composted and it's simple to do - give it a try
this week;
Household Hazards — if you have hazardous
waste products on hand, please safely dispose of them on
collection day or at a depot in your area.
The MMSB has developed waste reduction tips for home,
work and school which can be easily accessed by visiting
www.mmsb.nl.ca A new 3R Guide has been recently added to the web site where
visitors can find out everything from where to send styrofoam and shoes
for reuse, to where to go to get ink cartridges refilled.
Waste reduction experts from the MMSB will be
promoting the Get to Half message during Environment Week at schools
throughout the province, as well as participating in Newfoundland
Power's EnviroFest 2010. For a schedule of Envirofest events visit
www.takechargenl.ca.
The MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to
the Minister of Environment and Conservation. Its mandate is to support
progressive 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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