The Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resource Management
Strategy
Disposal Bans
Valuable resources that can be recycled or composted are no longer accepted for disposal in Nova Scotia. These include:
Food Waste
Leaf and yard waste
Beverage containers
Newsprint
Corrugated cardboard
Steel/tin food containers
Glass food containers
Select plastics
Used tires
Waste paint
Car batteries
Antifreeze
Industry Stewardship
Bottle deposit/refund system
Deposits and returns apply to non-refillable beverage containers
Deposits applied to refillable containers are completely refundable.
To drive these economic and environmental benefits, the Province legistated a goal of 50% diversion of waste from disposal.
Milk Carton Recycling
Nova Scotia milk producers provide funding and in-kind advertisement to municipalities in Nova Scotia to recycle milk cartons.
Tire return system
Tires sold within the Province are diverted from disposal and reprocessed into valuable products right here in Nova Scotia. An Environmental Fee of $3.00 for all new passenger tires and $9.00 for all new truck tires is applied to manage this system.
Used oil return
Retailers who sell motor oil must either accept used oil or provide a collection depot within 5 kilometers of their business. This ensures that all Nova Scotians have a convenient place to deliver their used oil for reprocessing.
Future agreements
Stewardship agreements are being negotiated on an on-going basis with industries whose products and packaging generate solid-waste.
Job Creation
A new resource requires a new work force to handle and process the banned materials and to create valuable new products. There are now thousands of jobs in Nova Scotia directly related to waste-resource management.
The Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB) Inc.
The RRFB is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to:
oversee the deposit-refund program for beverage containers;
create jobs by promoting the manufacturing of new products;
negotiate industry stewardship agreements;
direct funding to municipalities; and
educate the general public.
Regional Cooperation and Disposal Sites
Cooperation amongst bordering municipalities will reduce the number of disposal sites from 40 in 1995 to less than 10 in 2005. All new disposal sites must meet strict environmental regulations. Open burning of municipal solid waste is banned in Nova Scotia.
What the Strategy Means for Nova Scotians
A Trip to the Enviro-Depot
Many Nova Scotians visit their local Enviro-Depot to redeem their beverage containers. Residents can also return other materials such as newsprint, cardboard and automotive batteries. Community charitable groups often benefit from donated returns.
Curbside Recycling
Nova Scotians can place a wide variety of materials at the curb for recycling. The types of materials acceptable in these programs are expanding every year.
Almost 100% of Nova Scotians have access to curbside recycling.
Backyard Composting
Backyard composting is an easy and cost-effective means of diverting a portion of the banned compostable organic material.
Curbside Composting
Compostable organic material is collected from a majority of Nova Scotian households and composted at central composting facilities.
Compostable organic materials include:
all food (including meat, fish, bones and dairy products); and
leaf and yard waste.
non-recyclable paper products (e.g. soiled paper towels, napkins, etc.).
Combined with Enviro-Depot and curbside recycling, centralized curbside composting can divert over 75% of a homeowner's waste!
Over 70% of Nova Scotians have access to curbside organic collection.
Recycling and Organics Collection at Work
The introduction of the disposal bans has meant that more and more Nova Scotians can recycle at work as well as at home.
Providing access to recycling and composting will ensure a level playing field exists for all businesses.
Household Hazardous Waste
Many Nova Scotians have access to permanent or periodic Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depots for recycling or safe disposal of waste paint, batteries and other HHW. Waste oil can be returned to waste oil depots set up by retailers who sell oil.
Less Waste Means Better Business
The Strategy has both challenged and created opportunities for business owners and operators. Responsible waste management and job creation leads to a more prosperous community in which to do business.
What the Strategy means for Nova Scotia
Less waste means fewer and safer disposal sites, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy. Nova Scotia is moving into the next century with a sustainable vision and a will to ensure that our natural resources are protected and job opportunities are maximized for future generations.
More..
- Alternatives - Link to website setting out alternatives to incinerators AND super-dumps.