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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