Provincial Waste Management Strategy Announced

Government today announced a Provincial Waste Management Strategy which will dramatically reduce the number of landfill sites, phase out the use of incinerators, open burning and unlined landfill sites, and increase waste diversion. The announcement was made at a news conference by Environment Minister Kevin Aylward and Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister Oliver Langdon. The president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, Randy Simms, and chair of the Waste Management Advisory Committee, Derm Flynn, were also present at today�s event.

"Government is committed to phasing out the use of teepee incinerators and to dramatically reduce the number of landfill sites in the province. In order to meet these commitments, we need a plan to provide communities with an alternative approach to waste management, and today I am pleased to announce that plan," said Minister Aylward.

The Provincial Waste Management Strategy is premised on five primary actions: increase waste diversion, establish waste management regions, develop modern standards and technology, maximize the economic and employment opportunities associated with waste management, and public education. The ultimate goal is to have full province-wide modern waste management by 2010, with some components of the strategy to be implemented this year.

Minister Aylward explained that a cleaner environment is only one benefit of the strategy. "A provincial waste management strategy is vital if we are to ensure the health and well-being of our communities and the protection of our environment. However, there are also economic benefits. It will help foster clean and more beautiful communities in support of our growing tourism industry. Furthermore, when fully implemented, the strategy will also contribute to the expansion of economic opportunities in environmental industries and the development of new opportunities in these key sectors. In fact, developing a provincial waste management strategy was identified as a priority action for government in the Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth."

Minister Langdon explained that municipalities and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will play a key role in achieving modern waste management. "While the provincial government must set the standards, policies, and regulations for waste management, it is ultimately the responsibility of municipalities," he said. "Municipalities have been pressing government for a modern approach to waste management. With this strategy, our communities now have that up-to-date framework."

In the March 2001 Speech from the Throne, government articulated its commitment to developing a provincial waste management strategy. This first step in meeting that commitment involved public consultations. A Waste Management Advisory Committee was appointed in May 2001 to seek the views of stakeholders, groups and individuals on development of a waste management strategy. Upon completion of the public consultations, the committee presented a report to government which provided an overview of the information received during the public consultations and outlines recommendations for government on how to proceed with progressive waste management.

"It is important that the people of our province have had an opportunity to provide input into the development of a strategy which will directly affect their lives and their communities," explained Minister Aylward. "The Waste Management Advisory Committee reported strong public support for developing and implementing a provincial waste management strategy, and their final report, A Call to Action for Environmental Protection, was very instrumental in designing the strategy."

"On behalf on the Waste Management Advisory Committee, I am delighted that government has adopted a waste management strategy which so strongly reflects what we heard from people throughout the province. The message from isolated communities, rural communities and urban centres was consistent - while we must be mindful of the costs, we want modern waste management, and this strategy has achieved that balance," said Mr. Flynn.

Both Ministers Aylward and Langdon stressed the role the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities (NLFM) has played, and continues to play, in both developing and implementing the strategy. They also re-affirmed government�s commitment to continue to work with the Federation and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators (NLAMA) as the province moves forward with modern waste management.

"The NLFM and NLAMA represent the interests of communities as elected representatives and administrators. We will continue to look to them for their valuable input as we work together to establish regional waste management authorities," expressed Minister Langdon.

"We believe the targets outlined in the strategy represent a realistic and attainable objective. While the costs and governance model have yet to be finalized, the federation is supportive. We look forward to working with both levels of government on meeting the challenges this new strategy will present," said Mr. Simms.

With respect to the costs of implementing modern waste management, Minister Aylward stated the objective is to minimize the financial impact on municipalities. "Modern waste management will cost more; however, the public consultations identified that people are willing to pay more. Government will continue to work with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and our communities to minimize those costs.

"The Provincial Waste Management Strategy presents the framework for implementing modern waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, it is ultimately the people of the province who will ensure the success of this initiative by changing their attitudes and behaviours towards the handling of waste. Working together, we will implement up-to-date waste management which will benefit our environment, our communities, and our people," concluded Minister Aylward.

Media contact:

Diane Keough, Environment, (709) 729-2575
Lynn Hammond, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, (709) 729-1983

FACT SHEET
Provincial Waste Management Strategy -- An Overview

The goals of the Provincial Waste Management Strategy are:

• divert 50 percent of the materials currently going to disposal by 2010;
  
• reduce the number of waste disposal sites by 80 per cent;
  
• eliminate open burning at disposal sites by 2005 and phase out the use of incinerators by 2008;
  
• phase out use of unlined landfill sites by 2010; and
  
• full province-wide modern waste management by 2010.

The Provincial Waste Management Strategy is based on five primary actions:

• Increase waste diversion,
  
• Establish waste management regions,
  
• Develop modern standards and technology,
  
• Maximize economic and employment opportunities associated with waste management, and
  
• Public education.

Increase Waste Diversion
Successful waste diversion removes volumes of specific types of material from the waste stream and is based on the widely accepted hierarchy of waste management: reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery and disposal.

To increase waste diversion, government will implement disposal bans, implement and research diversion programs, and expand the work of the Green Depots throughout the province. Government recognizes that it is important to lead by example. Within the next 24 months, all departments, institutions, Crown corporations, and agencies receiving a significant portion of their funding from the provincial government will be required to provide a waste management plan indicating procedures, programs and resources that are or will be in place to meet the waste management strategy and province-wide waste diversion policies.

Establish Waste Management Regions
A regional waste management system is a formal partnership among incorporated communities, local service districts and unincorporated areas to provide integrated waste management services. Establishing regional waste management systems enables communities to pool resources and to accomplish together what is difficult to do individually.

To reduce the number of waste disposal sites by 80 per cent, 15 waste management regions will be established. All communities in an area whether an incorporated municipality, a local service district, or an unincorporated community will be part of a waste management region. As the Regional Waste Management Authorities are established, regional coordinators will be hired and trained. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board will fund a waste management coordinator position in each waste management region for up to two years.

Given the geographic make-up of Newfoundland and Labrador, government recognizes it is impossible for some isolated communities to participate in a regional approach to waste management. For isolated areas, community disposal sites will remain in operation; however, emphasis will be on improving existing disposal sites and enhancing opportunities for diversion. Isolated communities will be expected to contribute to the goal of 50 per cent reduction of waste sent to disposal.

Develop Modern Standards and Technology
Government will provide the standards and regulations to govern the design, construction and operation of waste management systems and facilities. Incineration and unlined landfill sites will not be acceptable means of disposal, except in those isolated areas where no alternatives exist. The new standards and regulations will be based on the experiences of the Atlantic provinces in combination with research and technological advancements in waste disposal, and will be finalized within the next six to 12 months. All waste disposal sites will operate according to those standards and regulations.

Maximize Economic and Employment Opportunities Associated with Waste Management
The need for new waste management facilities will create employment and economic opportunities throughout the province. In addition, there will be new business and employment opportunities associated with the wide range of services needed to support waste management operations.

Government will work to maximize the economic and employment benefits of waste management. The provincial waste management strategy will create direct long-term employment in each of the 15 regional waste management systems. Approximately 20 to 30 people will be employed in each region with the majority of jobs involved in the operation of regional waste management facilities. When fully implemented, the waste management strategy will have created approximately 450 direct jobs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Public Education
Achieving modern, provincial waste management will require a significant change in attitude among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with regard to the handling of waste. Government recognizes individuals, community and municipal leaders, business, and institutions must be provided with information to understand the concept, goals and actions of modern waste management. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board will develop and manage a province-wide public education campaign, expanding on its current programs and activities. Regional Waste Management Authorities will be required to develop and implement public information plans as a condition of approval.

BACKGROUNDER
Waste Management Advisory Committee Public Consultations

• In May 2001, a four-person Waste Management Advisory Committee was appointed to conduct public consultations on the development of a provincial waste management strategy.
  
• The committee was chaired by then president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, Derm Flynn. Mr Flynn was joined by Catherine Barrett, president of the Recycling Depot Operators Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Jessie Bird, former councillor and former mayor of Cartwright, and Priscilla Boutcher, mayor of Corner Brook.
  
• The committee held 17 round table discussions (two as teleconferences) throughout Newfoundland and Labrador during the summer of 2001. More than 270 people attended the meetings and 30 written submissions were received by the committee.
  
• The committee prepared a final report, A Call to Action On Environmental Protection, which provided an overview of the information received during the public consultations and outlined recommendations for government on how to proceed with modern waste management. It was presented to government in October 2001.
  
• The Waste Management Advisory Committee reported consistent support among the people of the province for modern waste management. In particular, the committee identified several themes which emerged from the consultations and which were used to design the provincial strategy:

• increase in the amount and types of materials recycled;
  
• combine community resources to make waste management affordable;
  
• government�s commitment to modern waste management must not waver; and
  
• provide public information on the importance of modern waste management.

Provincial Waste Management Strategy

2002 04 10                        11:30 a.m.