Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Environment and Conservation
May 25, 2015

Supporting Waste Management Services

Provincial Government Extends Timeline for Implementation of Solid Waste Management Strategy

The Provincial Government will continue to invest in the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy with a plan to complete a province-wide network of transfer stations and waste recovery facilities by 2020 and develop full-scale organic waste management infrastructure by 2025.

“With $161 million invested to date, significant accomplishments have been achieved in advancing modern waste management in the province in the development of new facilities, programs and services as well as the closure of 63 per cent of dumpsites. Today’s announcement to extend the timeline for implementation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy to 2025 prioritizes investments in waste management infrastructure in accordance with the current fiscal environment in Newfoundland and Labrador and reaffirms our commitment to full implementation of the strategy.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

In addition to the $161 million invested to date, a further $65 million will be invested between 2015 and 2020 to complete the development of transfer stations and waste recovery facilities.

This infrastructure, along with the required transportation system, ensures Regional Waste Management Authorities can expand services and programs to recycle or properly dispose of items such as paper fibre, mixed containers and hazardous and bulk waste.

In addition, investment in Labrador over the next five years will include the redevelopment of the current landfill in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to be a regional landfill, as well as the development of a new landfill for southern Labrador, serving all communities between Cartwright and L’anse au Clair. In Northern Labrador, research and analysis will be completed to identify unique, cost effective solutions to deal with solid waste generated in these isolated communities.

“While reaching our 50 per cent diversion goal requires province-wide infrastructure to expand recycling services and implement full-scale organic waste management, there is more we can all do to reduce the burden on our landfills by participating in province-wide recycling programs available today and by engaging in backyard or community composting.”
- Mike Samson, CEO, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

A plan for full-scale organic waste management is in development and will include a combination of services and technologies to best manage the volume of organic waste generated on a regional basis.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government will continue to invest in the province-wide network of transfer stations and waste recovery facilities by 2020 and develop full-scale organic waste management infrastructure by 2025.
  • As of March 31, 2015, $161 million has been invested in the strategy.
  • The implementation plan prioritizes investments in waste management infrastructure in accordance with the current fiscal environment in Newfoundland and Labrador and confirms the Provincial Government’s commitment to full implementation of the strategy.
  • The Provincial Government will invest $65 million between 2015 and 2020 to complete the development of transfer stations and waste recovery facilities.
  • The Dillon Consulting composting report is available at: //miga.gov.nl.ca/waste_management/Organic_Waste_Report.pdf.

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Media contacts:

Kevin Guest
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-1983, 730-2320
kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca 		Jill Thomas Myrick
Director Marketing, Public Education
and Communications
Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
709-757-3696
jmyrick@mmsb.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER

Solid Waste Management Implementation Plan

  • Waste management infrastructure investments over the next five years for the island portion of the province will focus on transfer stations and waste recovery facilities in the following regions: Western, Burin Peninsula, Bonavista, Baie Verte/Green Bay, Coast of Bays and the Northern Peninsula.
  • By 2020, investment in Labrador will include the redevelopment of the current landfill in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to be a regional landfill, as well as the development of a new landfill for southern Labrador, serving all communities between Cartwright and L’anse au Clair. In Northern Labrador, research and analysis will be completed to identify unique, cost effective solutions to deal with solid waste generated in these isolated communities.
  • Transfer stations and waste recovery facilities play an integral role in achieving the goals of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy by facilitating the closure of landfill sites and advancing the 50 per cent diversion goal through expanded waste management services and recycling programs.
  • The development of full-scale organic waste management infrastructure by 2025 has been informed by a study and final report conducted by Dillon Consulting.

Progress to Date

  • Consistent progress has been made in advancing sustainable waste management with approximately two-thirds of the province’s population disposing of waste in one of two lined landfills with leachate collection.
  • Almost 50 per cent of the population has access to curbside collection of recyclable materials, including paper fibre and mixed containers.
  • All tee-pee incinerators identified in the strategy are now closed and 72 per cent of open burning activity has been eliminated.
  • Since 2002, 148 dumpsites ‎(63 per cent) have been closed, which is significant progress towards the strategy’s goal of closing 80 per cent of dumpsites by 2020.
  • The waste diversion rate has increased from seven per cent in 1992 to 27 per cent in 2013.

2015 05 25                              11:00 a.m.