Municipalities Share $3M Refund for Recycling

Some Nova Scotia municipalities are sharing in just over $3 million today. Environment Minister Don Downe, on behalf of the Resource Recovery Fund Board, presented a cheque for that amount to Reg Rankin, deputy mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality, who represented the municipal units.

"This marks another success for Nova Scotia's recycling programs," said Mr. Downe. "This money, just over $3 million, was earned through the commitment of Nova Scotia municipalities, and their residents, to do the right thing. It brings this year's total to $6.8 million back to municipalities. Consider that just a few years ago, this was money we were throwing away."

"It is rewarding for us to see our efforts come full circle," said Mr. Rankin, who is vice-chair of the Regional Steering Committee for Solid Waste Management. "This is an incentive for municipalities to encourage residents to continue to recycle. It is really the participation of each individual household that helps us to realize this return."

Today's refund to the municipalities comes from the Resource Recovery Fund Board whose responsibility it is to oversee the deposit-refund program. Mr. Downe congratulated Resource Recovery for its work and support of recycling programs across Nova Scotia.

"Together, we have achieved over 30 per cent diversion of solid waste from our landfills," said Mr. Downe. "Resource Recovery has been instrumental in educating Nova Scotians about the merits of recycling, and I thank the board members here today for their strong commitment and continued hard work."

The minister closed the event by formally kicking off Nova Scotia's 50 per cent by 2000 campaign with a challenge to Nova Scotians to help the province be among the first in Canada to reach that diversion goal.

"We have done remarkable work in a short time," said Mr. Downe. "We have momentum and incentive. I am sure by working together for our environment we will attain our goal."