Ten Years of Waste Reduction

Nova Scotia has been getting cleaner and greener every year since the province's solid waste resource management strategy was launched in 1995.

"In the past 10 years, Nova Scotia has developed an international reputation for excellence in diverting waste from landfills and turning it into new products," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "All Nova Scotians have a hand in this success by reducing waste in their homes, schools and workplaces."

The province's strategy includes the deposit system for recyclable beverage containers, curbside collection of recyclables and organics, and paint and tire recycling programs.

The strategy also established Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB) Nova Scotia to run these initiatives and educate Nova Scotians about reducing, reusing, recycling and composting.

Some indicators of success include more than 1.7-billion beverage containers recycled. Nova Scotia has the highest rate of recovery of plastic beverage containers in Canada at 56 per cent -- seven points better than the province with the second highest rate.

The overall recovery rate of beverage containers in Nova Scotia is more than 79 per cent.

More than six million tires and 605,000 litres of paint have also been recycled in the province.

By the end of 2005, only seven landfills will exist in Nova Scotia, all built to a new standard to prevent leaks. There were 40 landfills before the strategy was launched.

"We've made tremendous progress, and we can't stop now because Nova Scotia is too good to waste," said Mr. Morash. "I encourage all Nova Scotians to renew their commitment to the environment during Waste Reduction Week, and every day of the year."

National Waste Reduction Week runs from Oct. 17 to 23. Activities are being co-ordinated by municipalities across the province, RRFB Nova Scotia and Clean Nova Scotia. More information is available at www.rrfb.com and www.clean.ns.ca.