NEWS RELEASE
Recycling and Composting Containers For HRM Capital District
(Friday, March 18, 2005) - HRM’s Capital District will soon have another attractive feature that will separate it from the business cores of other major Canadian cities.
As a result of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, HRM is installing new four- source separation receptacles in municipal parks throughout the Capital District. They will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to properly separate organics, recyclables, mixed paper and refuse materials outside the home.
Mayor Peter Kelly will officially launch the first phase of HRM’s Public Spaces Source Separation Program this coming Monday, March 21st, at 12 noon, in Grand Parade.
The new program is the result of a partnership between HRM Capital District, HRM Solid Waste Resources and HRM Real Property Asset Management. Financial support was provided by the Nova Scotia Resource Recovery Fund Board.
“In the Fall of 2004, HRM launched the 10% Challenge, encouraging individuals to further improve their recycling and composting efforts both at home and at work,” says Mayor Peter Kelly. “We’re pleased now to be able to offer an added convenience to residents while they’re out and about in our region.”
Eleven (11) four-source separation bins are to be installed in select park locations throughout the urban core of HRM this spring. Some of these locations will include the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts, Grand Parade, Public Gardens and Point Pleasant Park.
The bins are made exclusively from recycled plastic milk jugs, which will be emptied three times a week and will be power-washed every month. Other phases of the program later this Spring include installation of additional bins in sport fields and right-of-way locations throughout the region.
Marion Currie, Capital District Project Coordinator for HRM, says “These containers will feature receptacles for leftover organics, recyclables, paper and refuse. People have been asking us for this and HRM is providing opportunities to divert more materials, separating recyclables and organics.” They will help HRM expand and improve upon our home-based source separation system, and intercept a significant source of unseparated materials.”
Children from St. Joseph’s Early Childhood Centre, Scotia Square, and staff from McDonald’s Restaurants, who are currently rolling out source separation initiatives in outlets throughout HRM, have been invited to attend Monday’s launch.
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Marion Currie
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 490-6735
