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Environment and Conservation
July 16, 2010

Bay Bulls Company to Utilize Shrimp Shell Waste for New Products

With assistance of $9,900 from the Solid Waste Management Innovation Program administered by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), J&C Sod Farm Inc. in Bay Bulls will develop and test two new products: shrimp waste-based vermi-compost and worm tea.

"Increasing waste reduction, developing new standards and technology and maximizing economic opportunities associated with waste management in the province are important goals of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We will continue to achieve these goals through partnerships with businesses such as J&C Sod Farm, as they develop and implement innovative solutions to managing waste."

J&C Sod Farm Inc. will work in partnership with the Marine Institute's Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development to test both an organic shrimp-waste vermi-compost and a product known as worm tea for use as a soil enhancer or fertilizer. This special tea is a liquid solution made by steeping the vermi-compost in water. The company will be the first in the country to produce shrimp waste based vermi-compost and tea made from shrimp shell waste.

"We established the Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund to help organizations like J&C carry out research and development projects that provide valuable solutions to our waste problems," said Leigh Puddester, Chief Executive Officer of the MMSB. "No modern solution currently exists for the diversion and or disposal of shrimp waste, and the shrimp waste-based compost will provide such a solution. We look forward to seeing the results of this research and development opportunity."

Shrimp shell waste is readily available in the eastern region of the province and represents approximately 70 per cent of the landed shrimp weight.

"Our government continues to support research and development for modern waste management solutions," said the Keith Hutchings, MHA for Ferryland. "If J&C is successful with this test, it could result in the annual diversion of up to 50 tons of shrimp shell waste from landfills into a value added product and perhaps inspire other applications elsewhere in the province and or the country. I am pleased to see MMSB contributing to these efforts."

"J&C is very grateful for this investment by the MMSB," said Christa Williams of J&C Sod Farm. "My family is very excited and eager to get started in developing and testing the new products that we hope will entice home gardeners, commercial greenhouse operators, and organic and conventional farmers."

The MMSB launched the new Solid Waste Management Innovation Program in 2009. The 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
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
MMSB
709-757-3696
ccarter@mmsb.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
 

2010 07 16                                                     12:25 p.m.


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