News Release

More Recycling and Composting Required- New Bag/Can Limit for Refuse

(Wednesday, February 28/07)-- Halifax Regional Council last night amended the Solid Waste Resources By Law S -600, reducing the limit of 10 bags/cans of refuse eligible for curbside collection to six bags/cans. The reduction becomes effective November 5, 2007.

Despite Provincial and HRM regulations requiring every citizen to recycle and compost, studies have shown that between 15% to 20% of residents rarely or never recycle newspapers/magazine/flyers/envelopes(in a grocery bag); recycle plastic, glass and metal containers ( in a clear or blue bag); or compost food and leaf and yard material ( in the green cart).

At 10 bags/cans, HRM has the highest limit of any municipality in Canada with a mature bi-weekly three-stream waste management system. Studies have shown that the average HRM home places 3.5 bags of refuse for collection every two weeks. Residents who have more than six bags/cans rarely or never recycle or compost.

The HRM has fallen behind many other municipalities in the diversion of waste from residential properties. The change to six bags/cans is designed to finally engage the 27,000 households that are rarely or never recycle or compost, eight years after the implementation of the citizen developed waste /resource management system in 1999.

Stewardship at home and work is key to the success of the HRM's world renowned solid waste/resource management system. Recycling and composting is beneficial to the local economy , the environment and for all HRM taxpayers. The more materials are recycled and composted, the life of each $21 million landfill cell is extended. At the current disposal rate, a new landfill cell is required every three years.

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Jim Bauld
Manager, Solid Waste Resources
490-6606

John O’Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
490-6531