HRM Receives $2.4 Million for Diversion Efforts

News Release

HRM Receives $2.4 Million for Diversion Efforts

(Tuesday, July 11, 2000) - It pays to recycle and compost.

The Halifax Regional Municipality will receive $2,446,240.00 from the Resource Recovery Fund Board Inc. this evening for the recycling and composting efforts of its citizens last year.

The RRFB shares 50% of net revenues from recycling and composting with Nova Scotia municipalities, based upon municipal accomplishments in diverting waste from landfill.

Halifax Regional Municipality leads the province in landfill diversion. Last year, 61% of all materials (compared to waste disposed per person in 1989) are now being placed in the green cart; the recycling bag; or are being taken to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depot, instead of going into the trash can.

Mayor Walter Fitzgerald said "The residents of HRM deserve the credit for this achievement ."

Mark Bernard, Manager of Waste Resources added, "The success of our citizen- developed Waste Collection System depends entirely upon participation by residents and businesses. This RRFB Diversion cheque is further proof of the importance of encouraging the citizens of HRM to continue to make recycling and composting a part of your everyday lives."

Darrell Hiltz, Chairman of the Resource Recover Fund Board, stated " The HRM should be applauded for its foresight and commitment to waste diversion. The successes that have been achieved so far in the HRM and in Nova Scotia are the result of the partnership that exists between the Province , the municipalities and the RRFB."

Derek Firth, COO of the RRFB, declared that "In just four years , the RRFB has provided over $22 million to the seven solid waste management regions in Nova Scotia. The HRM has received $8.7 million of that amount. The RRFB is committed to maximizing the amount of funding that municipalities will continue to receive for their waste diversion programs."

The HRM's state-of-the-art Integrated Solid Waste/Resource Management system went into operation in 1999 and is composed of four waste streams: Organics, Recycling, Regular Refuse and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

The HRM's Solid Waste System is composed of the following:

• The Organics Green Cart Program collects and processes food waste, yard waste, boxboard and soiled, or non-recyclable paper.

• The Recycling Program includes recyclable containers, paper materials and corrugated cardboard.

• The Household Hazardous Waste Program accepts batteries, paint, pesticides, fuel/oil, pharmaceuticals and aerosol cans.

• The Regular Waste/Refuse Program collects the remaining waste that is not composted, recycled or sent to the HHW Depot.

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(The cheque will be presented at the regular meeting of Regional Council this evening.)

Jim Bauld
Operations Coordinator
(902) 490-7176