Litter Continues to be a Problem in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians are encouraged to keep their communities clean and green by properly disposing their waste to reduce litter.

Mark Parent, Minister of Environment, voiced his concern today, June 3, about the litter problem in Nova Scotia at a litter pick-up event held in Bedford for Environment Week.

The minister also announced an additional $50,000 for the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps to help pick up litter throughout the province.

"Money is being invested this year in litter programs because of a minority of Nova Scotians who continue to litter," said Mr. Parent. "I challenge those litterers to start acting responsibly, pick up after themselves, and recognize that it is not someone else's job to do so."

Mr. Parent encouraged Nova Scotians to report individuals seen littering or dumping illegally by contacting their local Environment office or municipality.

Youth ages 17 to 24 will be hired to pick up litter as part of a one-time commitment from government to help reduce litter in the province.

"Volunteers participate in litter pick-ups in Nova Scotia each year and, unfortunately, each year, litter appears along our highways, ditches and in our communities," said Mr. Parent. "We have to take more pride in our beautiful province and work together to clean up Nova Scotia and keep it that way."

Results from a 2004 litter survey conducted by the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps indicated litter from the quick service industry (cups, lids, and packaging) made up about 40 per cent of all identifiable litter, followed by snack foods at 27 per cent and tobacco products at 22 per cent.

Youth corps participants will work with existing community partners to expand their current litter prevention and reduction projects and conduct another provincewide survey on litter.

As Nova Scotia moves toward the goal of reducing the disposal rate to 300 kilograms per person, per year, the Department of Environment will continue to increase awareness about the litter problem and spread the message that littering not only hurts the environment, but hurts Nova Scotia's image as one of the most scenic places in the world.

Nova Scotia's goal is to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.

For more information on Environment Week activities, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nse/environmentweek .