News Release
Councillor Calls for Report into Non-Recyclable Packaging
(Wednesday, June 12/2002)-- Prompted by several calls from area residents, Councillor Brian Warshick has raised concerns about the new milk containers and consumer packaging concerns, in general.
The District 6 (Westphal - Waverley Road) Councillor visited two area recyclers on Tuesday and was told by operators that they were flooded during the past weekend by people returning the new milk containers. The consumer thought the five-cent increase in the price of milk was a recycling charge, which was refundable.
Councillor Warshick said " In my estimation, the dairy industry did a very poor job in marketing the change of containers to the consumer before the new product hit the shelves. Also, they did not properly explain why the consumer is being charged another nickel. This has caused a lot of confusion in HRM's continuing efforts to increase the percentage of our recyclables."
He added "Recent newspaper ads indicating the containers are 100% recyclable are misleading. Right now, those tops just head right back into our landfill and that costs the taxpayers more money."
The Councillor has requested HRM's Solid Waste department to report back to Regional Council on what, if any, discussions the dairy industry may have had with HRM and the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment prior to introducing the new containers. He also wants to know if there are any recycling problems associated with the containers.
Councillor Warshick has raised the issue of packaging, specifically container tops, over the past two years of municipal Budget talks.
"When you add up the milk tops, along with those of orange juice, pop, bottled water, sport drinks, beer and liquor caps; as well as personal grooming products, such as shampoo, shaving cream, mouthwash, deodorant, toothpaste, aspirin; and kitchen aids, such as cooking oil and cleaning material tops-- the average family would dispose of about 40 a week at home and at the workplace.
"Multiply that by 100,000 HRM household and we have 4 million plastic tops entering Otter Lake (solid waste facility) on a weekly basis. Surely in this day and age, those responsible for packaging, such as the dairies, breweries and distilleries, beverage companies, the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry can come up with a better recyclable top?" he said.
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Councillor Brian Warshick
(902) 488-3800
