Environment and Conservation
May 4, 2015
The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board:
Promoting Sustainable Communities
Multi-Materials Stewardship Board Celebrates Compost Awareness Week
International Compost Awareness Week is May 3 to 9 and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to help keep organic waste out of our landfills.
"Organic waste comprises 30 per cent of the waste generated in our province and when buried in our landfills can produce harmful greenhouse gases as well as leachate that can pollute our soil and water. I encourage residents to learn more about the benefits of composting and how they can get involved at home, work and in their communities."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
As part of its commitment to educate Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about the importance of diverting organic waste from landfills, MMSB is hosting free Learn to Compost workshops in six communities throughout the province in May and June 2015. Public education sessions will take place in Bay Roberts, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City and Springdale.
Through its backyard compost bin program, MMSB is also partnering with additional municipalities to provide bins to their residents at a reduced rate along with training sessions. The following communities are participating in this year's program: Baie Verte, Corner Brook, Discovery Region (Port Blandford to Bonavista), Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cover, Sandy Cove, St. John's, Sunnyside and Witless Bay.
"MMSB's Learn to Compost workshops and backyard compost bin program not only enable residents throughout the province to start and maintain a successful compost bin but also help ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations."
- Mike Samson, Chief Executive Officer, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
To register for a Learn to Compost workshop and for more information on how to purchase backyard compost bins at a reduced rate, visit MMSB's website www.mmsb.nl.ca 
or call toll-free at 1-800-901-MMSB (6672).
QUICK FACTS
- MMSB is recognizing International Compost Awareness Week from May 3 to 9 by encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to help keep organic waste out of our landfills.
- In May and June 2015, MMSB is hosting free Learn to Compost workshops in select communities to teach residents about the benefits of organic waste management and how to start and maintain a healthy compost bin.
- Since 2008, MMSB has partnered with more than 100 municipalities to distribute over 28,000 backyard compost bins at a reduced rate.
- Visit www.mmsb.nl.ca or call toll-free at 1-800-901-MMSB (6672) for more information on MMSB's Learn to Compost workshops and the backyard compost bin program.
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Media contacts:
|
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Jill Thomas Myrick
Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Education Multi-Materials Stewardship Board 709-757-3696, 689-4795 jmyrick@mmsb.nl.ca |
2015 05 04 11:40 a.m.