Provincial Waste Management Strategy Sees Continued Progress in 2012

Numerous waste management milestones were achieved this year in the areas of recycling, new infrastructure and legislative changes affecting all areas of the province. Through these many successes, the Provincial Government continues to promote a modern and environmentally-sound approach to waste management.

“I am proud of the progress to date in implementing the Provincial Waste Management Strategy,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Since 2008, the Provincial Government has made waste management a priority as we move towards a cleaner and greener province. It is incumbent upon us to have a province that future generations can enjoy for years to come.”

Some of the key initiatives which occurred in 2012 include:

• Opening the new Central Newfoundland Waste Management Facility at Norris Arm, a total investment of $64.6 million;
• Implementing a composting pilot project in the Town of Grand Bank;
• Closing the local incinerator and establishing a well-managed landfill for Labrador West, a total investment of $5 million;
• Additional regional service boards are expected to be created to correspond with established waste management regions following amendments to the Regional Services Boards Act and the Municipal Affairs Act
• Launching a recycling program for waste paint through a network of 51 drop-off locations across the province;
• Holding a number of Household Hazardous Waste collection events throughout the province;
• Initiating a pilot project to collect residential used tires;
• Amending the Waste Management Regulations to establish an e-waste recycling program; and,
• Issuing a Request for Proposals for an independent consultant to identify ways to address organic waste in the province.

Approximately two-thirds of the province’s population is currently disposing of its waste in a lined landfill at either Norris Arm or Robin Hood Bay. Close to 50 per cent of the province’s population also have access to recycling facilities. Throughout the province the number of disposal sites has been reduced, with over 140 dumps closed to date, a 58 per cent reduction.

“The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board is doing phenomenal work throughout our province, helping us achieve our waste management goals,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board. “With a particular focus on waste diversion and recycling, the agency is raising awareness and helping all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do their part to ensure we incorporate green thinking into all of our endeavours.”

The Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy aims to reduce the amount of materials in provincial landfill sites by 50 per cent and to encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in waste diversion programs such as recycling and composting. The strategy also aims to reduce the total number of waste disposal sites by 80 per cent, eliminate open burning of waste at disposal sites and phase out incinerators and unlined landfills. Full implementation of the strategy is on target for 2020. A total of $145.3 million has been invested in the strategy in the province, $82.8 million by the Provincial Government and $62.5 million from Gas Tax funding.

Information on the Provincial Waste Management Strategy can be viewed at: www.gov.nl.ca/ma/waste_management/index.html.

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2012 12 31             11:50 a.m.