Environment and Conservation
September 1, 2010
Waste Management Research Fund Established With
$300,000 in Funding
A new research partnership was announced today between
the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) and Memorial University's
Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development (Harris Centre)
to stimulate research into Newfoundland and Labrador's waste management
needs and opportunities. The new waste management research fund is
established with $300,000 in funding through MMSB's Waste Management
Trust Fund.
"One of government's critical roles in advancing the
Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy is to identify solutions to
the unique waste diversion challenges that exist in our province, and
research plays a critical role in this process," said the Honourable
Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "The
partnership with the Harris Centre will result in tangible lessons to
help us improve and accelerate waste management activities in
Newfoundland and Labrador."
The fundamental goal of the Provincial Solid Waste
Management Strategy is to divert 50 per cent of material going to
landfills and implement full province-wide modern waste management by
2020.
"Memorial has traditionally played a role in
addressing issues of importance to the province, and waste management is
an issue that has major implications for small municipalities and larger
towns in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President
and Vice-chancellor of Memorial University. "We care about
sustainability and environmental stewardship and this new waste
management fund will help stimulate innovative, community-engaged
research aimed at reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill
sites."
The objectives of the research fund include developing
an inventory of issues relating to waste management in the province;
translating these issues into research opportunities at each stage of
the waste management process; and producing a number of new waste
management solutions for Newfoundland and Labrador. The fund will be
modeled similar to other research partnership programs managed by the
Harris Centre. Memorial faculty and graduate students will have the
opportunity to apply for project funding, up to a maximum of $15,000 per
project. The total operating cost contribution by the MMSB is $100,000
annually for each of the next three years.
"Emphasis will be placed on reducing the amount of
waste created, reusing materials and products, recycling or reprocessing
waste, recovering some useful benefit from waste, and disposing of waste
that has no further economic or environmental benefit," said Leigh
Puddester, Chair and CEO of the MMSB. "We are very excited by this
unique partnership that will, undoubtedly, produce some interesting
results."
Harris Centre Director Dr. Robert Greenwood explained,
"The program will consist of two key pillars: research and dialogue.
Each will inform the other, so that dialogue and consultation shape
research questions, leading to new ideas which then encourage further
research to achieve implementation. The research may relate to policy
issues, regional or local management, or technology and best practices."
A steering committee will advise the Harris Centre on
the co-ordination of the waste management research fund initiatives, and
will consist of representatives from numerous sectors including the MMSB,
Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Municipal
Affairs, Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association,
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, MITACS Inc. Newfoundland and
Labrador, and the Research and Development Corporation of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Melony
O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
|
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
MMSB
709-757-3696, 689-4795
ccarter@mmsb.nl.ca
|
Marcia Porter
Communications Coordinator, Executive
Memorial University
709-864-8661
mlporter@mun.ca
|
Rebecca Cohoe
Communications Coordinator
Harris Centre, Memorial University
709-864-3739
rcohoe@mun.ca
|
BACKGROUNDER
MMSB's Waste Management Trust Fund
The Trust Fund provides financial assistance to aid in
the development and implementation of waste management initiatives in
the province. It is governed by provincial waste management regulations
and is administered by the MMSB under direction of the Minister of
Environment and Conservation. MMSB through the trust fund provides
funding for long-term, strategic solutions that support a progressive
and modern approach to waste management as prescribed in the provincial
Waste Management Strategy. The Waste Management Trust Fund is intended
to support the implementation of the provincial Waste Management
Strategy to advance the goals of that strategy through the regional
waste management authorities and otherwise. MMSB is a provincial Crown
agency responsible for educating, motivating and enabling the people of
the province to reduce waste and recycle in an effort to protect our
environment.
The Provincial Waste Management Strategy
In May 2007, the Provincial Government announced
implementation of the $200 million Provincial Waste Management Strategy.
The strategy calls for three full service regional waste management
facilities on the Avalon, Central and in Western areas of the island
portion of the province, and programs will be developed for the zones in
Labrador to meet the provincial waste management goals. Regional waste
management authorities will be established in 12 waste management zones.
The provincial strategy will aim to reduce the amount of waste going
into landfills in the province by 50 per cent supported by the use of
disposal bans and development of new waste diversion programs with full
implementation planned for 2020.
The Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and
Development
The Harris Centre is Memorial's hub for regional
policy and development, linking Memorial researchers with groups all
over Newfoundland and Labrador. Working with all units at Memorial, The
Harris Centre builds connections, encourages informed debate and
supports collaboration, enhancing the university and the province
through mutually beneficial partnerships. A key part of Memorial
University, the centre helps diverse groups and individuals connect with
the research resources of Memorial, though teaching, research, and
outreach initiatives, including research funding, community brokering
and public education sessions.
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University of Newfoundland is Atlantic
Canada's premiere comprehensive university, and one of the region's most
important research organizations. With approximately 17,500 students,
1,000 faculty members and 1,500 support staff, it is the largest in the
region. Memorial is committed to excellence in teaching, research,
scholarship, and service to the public. More than 100 undergraduate and
graduate degrees are offered through our faculties (arts, science,
education, medicine, engineering and applied science, business) and
schools (music, human kinetics and recreation, nursing, pharmacy, social
work, graduate studies).
2010 09 01
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