May 8, 2013
The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board:
MMSB Launches Backyard Composting Initiative
In conjunction with International Compost Awareness Week, May 6-12, 2013, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) are partnering with municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to offer backyard compost bins to their residents at a reduced rate and host information sessions on how to start and maintain a successful compost bin.
“Organic waste accounts for over 30 per cent of the total household waste produced in our province,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for MMSB. “Keeping organic waste out of landfill sites is imperative to moving forward with a more progressive and environmentally-sound waste management plan for our province. This backyard composting initiative is an important way for municipalities to help residents take responsibility for their waste and do their part to protect the environment.”
Municipalities in the province were canvassed for interest in this backyard composting initiative and were offered compost bins at a reduced rate. The 28 participating municipalities agreed to purchase a minimum of 50 compost bins at a rate of $21.99 plus HST.
“MMSB is committed to providing residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully compost in their backyards,” said Mike Samson, Chief Executive Officer of the MMSB. “We are pleased that municipalities across the province see the environmental benefits of composting and are encouraging their residents to divert organic waste from the landfill by participating in this initiative.”
Every day, over 300 tonnes of organic waste goes to the province’s landfills and when buried, produces methane, a greenhouse gas that has 25 times the global warming potential as carbon dioxide. Composting also creates a nutrient-rich product that naturally conditions the soil and allows municipalities to save time, money and resources.
This is the third backyard composting initiative led by the MMSB. Since 2005, MMSB has distributed over 24,000 compost bins to residents across the province.
A list of participating municipalities is listed in the backgrounder below. For additional information about the distribution of the backyard composting bins and participating municipalities visit www.mmsb.nl.ca. 
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Media contacts:| Deborah Thomas Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 728-8092 DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca |
Ashley Russell Marketing and Communications Specialist MMSB 709-757-3640 arussell@mmsb.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Backyard Compost Bin Distribution
Distribution of the backyard compost bins to participating municipalities will begin at the end of May 2013 at which time it will be the municipality’s responsibility to host a Learn to Compost training session for residents interested in purchasing a compost bin. For more information on the date and location of these training sessions, residents are encouraged to contact their municipality.
Participating Municipalities:
| Paradise | Portugal Cove-St. Phillips | Conception Bay South |
| Flatrock | Harbour Grace | Dover |
| New Perlican | Old Perlican | Placentia |
| Marystown | Grand Bank | Clarenville |
| Gambo | Campbellton | Twillingate |
| Bishop’s Falls | Conne River | Springdale |
| Deer Lake | Pasadena | Corner Brook |
| Lark Harbour | Kippens | Stephenville |
| Port au Choix | Bird Cove | St. Anthony |
| Happy Valley-Goose Bay |