The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board:

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Encouraged to Celebrate Environment Week

The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) are encouraging all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take part in Environment Week, June 2 to 8. Environment Week celebrates Canada’s environmental achievements and initiatives while encouraging Canadians to help preserve, protect and restore the environment.

Environment Week is a national event held every year to coincide with World Environment Day (June 5) and this year, in recognition of International Year of Water Cooperation, the theme is Water – Working Together.

“The protection of our oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds is extremely important to every one of us,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board. “Environment Week provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the individual and collective efforts that we make to sustain these natural environments while taking further action to protect our environment for future generations.”

Reducing the waste generated in Newfoundland and Labrador helps to protect water resources and habitat for both people and wildlife. In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 400,000 tonnes of waste is disposed of every single year, approximately two kilograms per person per day.

“Environment Week is the perfect time to rethink the role that each and every one of us can play in protecting the environment and make simple changes to our daily habits that reduce the waste we generate,” said Mike Samson, CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board. “Reducing waste is not difficult, and every single action, big or small, does make a difference.”

The MMSB is a Crown agency that reports to the Minister of the Environment and Conservation. The MMSB supports modern waste management practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information on reducing waste visit www.mmsb.nl.ca . 

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2013 06 03             10:05 a.m.