The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs:

Provincial Government Continuing Implementation of Waste Management Strategy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House, to provide an update on our milestones and successes as we move forward with the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy.

The strategy aims to reduce the amount of materials in provincial landfill sites by 50 per cent and to encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in waste diversion programs such as recycling and composting. The strategy also aims to reduce the total number of waste disposal sites by 80 per cent, eliminate open burning of waste at disposal sites and phase out incinerators and unlined landfills.

Mr. Speaker, this is an ambitious strategy, but one which is necessary as we look ahead to a greener future in this province. We have achieved a number of key milestones in recent months as we move along the process of full implementation of our strategy. In fact, last year we saw the opening of the Central Newfoundland Waste Management Facility at Norris Arm, which represented a total investment of $64.6 million.

We also continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Multi Materials Stewardship Board, who are working towards some very important projects which complement this strategy. Examples include their paint recycling program as well as the new Illegal Dumping Surveillance Program which will see municipal enforcement staff from the town of Conception Bay South, training other municipal colleagues across the province to develop skills and programs to combat illegal dumping.

Mr. Speaker, approximately two-thirds of the province’s population is now disposing of its waste in a lined landfill at either Norris Arm or Robin Hood Bay. Close to 50 per cent of the province’s population also have access to recycling facilities. Throughout the province the number of disposal sites has been reduced, with over 140 dumps closed to date, which represents a 58 per cent reduction.

Mr. Speaker, through these many successes, the Provincial Government continues to promote a modern and environmentally-sound approach to waste management. My department will continue these efforts, as we work towards full implementation of our Provincial Waste Management Strategy.

Thank-you, Mr. Speaker.

2013 03 14                             1:55 p.m.