Environment and Conservation
May 22, 2015

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

Building Sustainable Communities Through Research and Innovation

$345,000 Investment Supports Waste Management Research in Newfoundland and Labrador

Memorial University�s Harris Centre - MMSB Waste Management Applied Research Fund is receiving a $345,000 investment, over three years, to support research into Newfoundland and Labrador�s waste management needs and opportunities. The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is renewing its initial funding commitment of $300,000 through the Waste Management Trust Fund and Product Care Association is contributing $45,000 on behalf of the paint industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Research and innovation play a critical role in providing tangible insights into the waste management challenges and opportunities unique to our province. Today�s funding announcement will help advance this important work along with the change required to achieve sustainable waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador.�
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

Established in 2010 through an initial $300,000 investment from MMSB�s Waste Management Trust Fund, the research fund was created to identify waste management issues in the province, determine research opportunities and develop solutions for managing waste.

�We are pleased to work with MMSB and its industry partners to support innovative research on waste management solutions for Newfoundland and Labrador. With renewed funding, we can continue this good work and build upon past successes. Memorial values this special partnership and the opportunity to connect with the needs of the province through impactful research.�
- Dr. Richard Marceau, Vice-president, Research, Memorial University

To date, 17 research initiatives have been supported through the Waste Management Applied Research Fund, including projects based in aquaculture, chemistry, earth science, engineering and social sciences.

�MMSB is committed to investments and partnerships that advance innovative waste management practices and help achieve our province-wide 50 per cent waste diversion goal. We are especially pleased that Product Care Association not only is overseeing the end-of-life treatment of waste paint in the province, but is also partnering with MMSB and the Harris Centre to invest in waste management research.�
- Mike Samson, Chief Executive Officer, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board

Faculty and graduate students can apply for research funding, up to a maximum of $15,000 per project. The 2015-16 application deadline is July 10, 2015.

�Product Care Association was founded more than 20 years ago as a result of innovative thinking around the challenges of special waste recycling. The Harris Centre and MMSB share our commitment to progressive approaches to waste management, making us natural partners in our efforts to better understand the needs and opportunities unique to Newfoundland and Labrador.�
- Mark Kurschner, President, Product Care Association

For more information on the Waste Management Research Fund and to apply, visit the Harris Centre�s website at www.mun.ca/harriscentre/ .

QUICK FACTS

• The Harris Centre � MMSB Waste Management Applied Research Fund is receiving $345,000 in funding, over three years, to support research into Newfoundland and Labrador�s waste management needs and opportunities.
• MMSB is renewing its initial funding commitment of $300,000 through an investment from the Waste Management Trust Fund and Product Care Association is contributing $45,000, on behalf of the paint industry.
• The research fund provides a maximum of $15,000 per eligible project.
• The goals of the fund are to identify waste management issues in the province, determine research opportunities and develop solutions for managing waste.
• For more information and to apply for the research fund, visit www.mun.ca/harriscentre/ .

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca	Jill Thomas Myrick Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Education Multi-Materials Stewardship Board 709-757-3696, 689-4795 jmyrick@mmsb.nl.ca
Cathy Newhook Communications Coordinator Harris Centre 709-864-7918, 631-9278 cathyn@mun.ca	Chris Dagenais Director of Communications Product Care Association 1.877.592.2972x222, 778.871.3749 chris@productcare.org

2015 05 22                              10:45 a.m.