U.S. Group Tours N.S. Solid-Waste Facilities

Experts from the National Solid Wastes Management Association are arriving today to tour six of Nova Scotia’s solid-waste management facilities.

“Nova Scotia is known for its high diversion rate,” said association manager Mike Huff. “We decided Nova Scotia had a good operation that we wanted to see.”

The association’s members tour different cities each spring to discover methods they can take back and implement in their own operations.

This year, 15 specialists from the private-sector solid-waste industry in the United States will visit six Nova Scotian facilities, including Canadian Waste Management Services, Green Tree Recycling Facility and Miller Composting.

“Nova Scotians should be really proud to know their efforts in composting and recycling have made our province a waste- management model for other countries,” said Environment and Labour Minister David Morse. “I’m proud to see us sharing our expertise with so many industry specialists.

He added that, with it being Environment Week, the timing of the visit is perfect.

In the past two months, Nova Scotia’s achievement in diverting 50 per cent of solid waste from its landfills has led to worldwide attention. Officials of the Environment and Labour Department have hosted delegations from New Zealand, Ireland, Hong Kong, and Russia. In each case, the countries plan to emulate the province’s recycling and composting systems.

Recognized as among of most progressive recyclers anywhere, Nova Scotians and their municipalities have also been highlighted on the CNN Web site, which is seen by more than 20 million people, and in Canadian Geographic magazine.