May 4, 2012
The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board:
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program Announced for 2012
In an effort to expand the reach and convenience of properly disposing of household hazardous waste items in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is partnering once again with volunteer fire departments in smaller communities across the province. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program provides a valuable recycling service to residents of the province and allows the MMSB to partner with municipalities, regional waste management authorities and volunteer fire departments in managing waste and creating a greener environment.
“We all have a responsibility to dispose of this extremely harmful waste in a prudent manner, and the MMSB’s program provides residents with a convenient and safe way to do just that,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board. “The high participation in last year’s Household Hazardous Waste Program shows a growing commitment by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to protect our environment and divert waste from our landfills, helping us achieve our 50 per cent waste diversion goal. Household hazardous waste only makes up a small amount of the total waste generated in our province, but every bit counts.”
Last year, in addition to the full day HHW collection events held in more populated areas of the province, the MMSB embarked on a pilot project in partnership with volunteer fire departments and offered half-day events in smaller regions of the province. Due to the overwhelming success of this pilot program, the MMSB is once again partnering with the volunteer fire departments in eight communities across the province. The participating volunteer fire departments are responsible for collecting and storing the HHW materials from residents and, in turn, the MMSB provides a financial honorarium that these fire departments can use to support the very important work they undertake in their communities.
“We are always looking at ways to expand and improve our waste diversion and recycling programs,” said Leigh Puddester, Chair and CEO, MMSB. “Last year, by partnering with volunteer fire departments, we expanded our HHW collection program into communities that otherwise would not have convenient access to this type of program. The response from the participating communities was overwhelming – close to 20,000 litres of HHW materials was kept out of local landfills as a result.”
The HHW collection events will take place over the next few months and are free of charge. The first events are scheduled to take place in Deer Lake and Baie Verte on Saturday, May 5. Full day events are being held in in Gander, Bonavista and area, Marystown, Corner Brook, Clarenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Stephenville and area and the half-day events are being held in Lethbridge, Fortune, Grand Bank, Lawn, St. Lawrence, Rocky Harbour, Terrenceville, Harbour Breton, and Pasadena. The City of Mount Pearl and Labrador City/Wabush hold their own HHW collection events. In addition, there are several permanent HHW collection facilities located throughout the province.
Since the MMSB initiated the program in 1998, close to one million litres of HHW has been diverted from waste disposal sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. In Newfoundland and Labrador, each individual generates approximately seven litres of HHW annually.
Specific dates and locations for this year’s HHW collection events and will be advertised locally. A complete schedule of events, permanent depot locations and a detailed list of materials accepted through the program are also available on the MMSB’s website at www.mmsb.nl.ca 
.
The MMSB is a Crown agency that reports to the Minister of Environment and Conservation. The MMSB supports modern waste management practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout 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 |
Cara Pike Director of Communications MMSB 709-757-3696, 689-4795 cpike@mmsb.nl.ca |
2012 05 04 11:45 a.m.