Environment and Conservation
December 23, 2011
New Landfill in St. George’s Advances Province’s Waste Management Strategy
Implementation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy continues with the opening of a new landfill in St. George’s which consolidates five existing sites in the Bay St. George region. The facility will open on January 3, 2012 and will be used until a final site for western Newfoundland waste becomes operational.
“The Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy is critically important for the future environmental health of Newfoundland and Labrador as we move forward with our goal of reducing landfills and incinerators by 80 per cent,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I am pleased to see the progress made in western Newfoundland and look forward to the continued cooperation and efforts of municipal leaders as we finalize plans for waste management in the region.”
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador contributed approximately $500,000 for the construction of the St. George’s landfill. With the opening of the new facility, landfill sites in Bay St. George, Fox Island River, Gallants, Lourdes and Stephenville will close and waste previously sent to those facilities will be sent to St. George’s.
“The consolidation of the existing sites in the Bay St. George region is a great example of the work being done in our province to advance the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “A regional approach was identified in the strategy as the most cost-effective and appropriate way of addressing the province’s waste management needs over the long term, along with the positive environmental impact realized through landfill closures.”
Communities serviced by the St. George’s landfill can bring their waste to the site between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday at no charge for residential users. Household hazardous waste brought to the site must be separated from regular waste.
“This is great news for the Port au Port region and a further demonstration of the willingness of our communities to improve how we handle our waste,” said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port. “The opening of this site also marks significant progress in implementing the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy which will have a long-lasting impact upon our province.”
The Western Regional Waste Management Committee has overseen the project and continues work on improving household waste collection in the region.
“We have undertaken some great work in recent months to move the strategy forward,” said Dr. Don Downer, Chair of the Western Regional Waste Management Committee. “Along with the opening of the St. George’s landfill, we are also exploring curbside collection for the communities which use the facility and do not currently have such a service.”
The Town of St. George’s will be the administrator of the new site on behalf of the communities in the area.
“St. George’s is pleased to be the operator of this new facility as it has important benefits for the entire region,” said Fintan Alexander, Chair of the Bay St. George Waste Management Sub-Regional Committee. “I would like to thank all of our committee members and partners for their hard work. With the opening of the St. George’s site we are moving towards having a modern waste management system serving all residents of the Bay St. George sub-region.”
In 2007, the Provincial Government announced the implementation plan for the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy. The goals of this strategy are to reduce the amount of materials in provincial landfill sites, reduce the total number of landfill sites and encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in waste diversion programs such as recycling and composting. The date for full implementation of the strategy is 2020 with over $116 million invested to date.
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Media contacts:
| Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 685-6612 kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca |
Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Dr. Don Downer Chair Western Regional Waste Management Committee 709-632-2202 |
Fintan Alexander Chair Bay St. George Waste Management Sub-Regional Committee 709-647-3283 |
2011 12 23 9:50 a.m.