News Feature

Canada Games Venues Use Multi-Stream Waste Bins to Keep HRM “Green”

(February 15, 2011) As host city for the 2011 Canada Games, HRM has not only worked hard to make the municipality a welcoming place for the thousands of athletes and visitors, it is also working on its ‘green’ responsibilities as well. At each of the Games venues, in anticipation of the numbers who will flock to the each site, HRM and the Canada Games Committee have made sure there are multi-stream waste bins available - showcasing HRM’s internationally, award-winning waste collection program.

And the bins are working!

Not only are these multi-stream waste bins a way to help the environment during the two weeks of competition, the bins are also one more piece of the 2011 Canada Games legacy. Some of the bins purchased by the Games Committee will be left at each venue - which includes Grand Parade/Celebration Square and Halifax Commons - following the two week, national event. HRM also invested in a number of the multi-stream bins to support future 'green' special events intended to replace the single stream 45-gallon garbage drums.

These new bins are not the only effort to divert waste away from our landfills. Through the Environmental Services Committee for the Canada Games, all waste bins have been clustered so that visitors always have choices for their waste. There is colour-coded signage on all bins to depict what goes where. Only clear waste bags are being used and staff, all volunteers, and athletes have been educated about proper waste management. Canada Games staff is also tracking waste diversion to show the importance of a proper waste management program.

“Years ago,” HRM Solid Waste Resources Solid Waste Education Officer Kathy Johnston said, “ the priority would have been to ensure the waste was simply collected in one stream and the sites kept clean for an event of this magnitude. Now a big event like this is just one more opportunity where we can help keep our city clean and divert recyclables, compostables or paper from the landfill as well as promote education, we’re taking a positive step forward."

For information on the 2011 Canada Games visit: www.canadagames2011.ca .

-30-

Contact:

Katherine VanBuskirk
HRM Senior Communications Advisor
490-6697