(Thursday, September 7/06)-- Since 1988, the HRM (and the former four local municipalities) have provided a very successful paper recycling program .

This convenient service consists of curbside collection at residential properties, and free drop-off of paper from businesses, institutions and the retail sector at the HRM Materials Recovery Facility.

The HRM Materials Recovery Facility has the capacity to recycle thousands of additional tonnes of paper annually.

In 2005, more than 16,000 tonnes were handled, consisting of;
- newspaper, magazines, flyers, cardboard and catalogue from residential collection and,
- paper, envelopes and corrugated cardboard from offices, stores, and businesses
was recycled at the HRM Materials Recovery Facility at 50 Chain Lake Drive, Bayers Lake Industrial Park ( hours of operation are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 6 pm).

In 2003, an audit of waste revealed that despite the HRM having one of the most successful waste diversion programs in North America, with an overall diversion rate of 56% , that more than 50% of material in residential garbage bags, and refuse containers from businesses and institutions, is paper or plastic- which if properly separated at the home or business could have been recycled !

Residents are reminded that paper is to be placed in plastic grocery or clear bags, and corrugated cardboard is to be flattened and tied for curbside collection. For offices, stores, and institutions clean paper is accepted at the HRM Materials Recovery Facility.

For every tonne of paper recycled, there are significant environmental benefits including:
4,000 kw/h electricity saved ;17 trees not cut down; 29,000 litres waste water not produced ;and 30 kg emissions not released into the atmosphere

Residents of HRM are encouraged to take the "10% Challenge" and recycle all paper, at home and at work. If every HRM resident recycled all their paper, the 60% waste diversion goal set by Regional Council in 1996 will be achieved.

Remember - each landfill cell costs $15 million and is full in three years. Help extend the life of each cell by recycling and composting.

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Jim Bauld
Manager, Solid Waste Resources
490-6606