Environment and Conservation
July 7, 2010
Funding Announced for
Research to Reuse Ash at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
A new research project at the College of
the North Atlantic in Corner Brook will help determine whether fly ash
and bottom ash produced by the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill can be
safely reused for agricultural, horticultural and forestry applications.
The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) will provide support of
$10,000 for the project through its Solid Waste Management Innovation
Program.
The College of the North Atlantic will
work in partnership with Hi-Point Industries' Compost and Soil Blending
Facility, located just outside of Corner Brook, to research the use of
this ash as an ingredient in potential new product lines, or as a
component of existing compost-based product lines. Preliminary research
indicates that ash may be used as a source of activated carbon and can
be added to compost, used as a soil amendment, or applied directly as a
forest fertilizer.
"Waste reduction is a critical component
of the waste management strategy, and our government is always looking
for a means to collaborate with businesses, industry associations and
post-secondary institutions," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson,
Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We are pleased to support the
College of the North Atlantic, High Point Industries and their
partnership with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper in this promising research
project."
Leigh Puddester, MMSB Chair and Chief
Executive Officer, said potential business opportunities will increase
as the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy advances through to
completion.
"We look forward to seeing the results of
this research project," said Leigh Puddester. "We encourage other
organizations and businesses to explore prospective business
opportunities that produce new or improved products, processes or
technologies made from solid waste which facilitate modern waste
management in Newfoundland and Labrador."
It is estimated that the Corner Brook
Pulp and Paper facility currently landfills 10,000 tons of fly and
bottom ash per year.
"We are excited about this research and
our team is eager to get started," said Chad Simms, Campus
Administrator, College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook campus. "We
look forward to the results and identifying the potential opportunities
for using the ash as the main ingredient for a new product line or a
component of an existing compost-based product line."
The MMSB launched the new Solid Waste
Management Innovation Program in October 2009. This program was created
to encourage and support research and development of a new or improved
technology, product, service or process that supports the ongoing
implementation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy. The
annual budget for the Innovation Fund is $100,000 with eligible projects
receiving a maximum of $10,000. The program is available to provincially
owned and/or operated businesses, industry associations, post-secondary
institutions and non-profit organizations.
For more information on the Solid Waste
Management Innovation Program, visit
www.mmsb.nl.ca or contact MMSB at 709-753-0948.
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Media contacts:
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
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Carol
Ann Carter
Director of Communications
MMSB
709-757-3696, 689-4795
ccarter@mmsb.nl.ca
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Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca
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2010 07 07
2:35 p.m.
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