October 19, 2004
Efforts To Clean Up North Acknowledged During Waste Reduction Week In Manitoba
Efforts To Clean Up North Acknowledged During Waste Reduction Week In Manitoba- - -
Tons of Scrap Metal Removed From Northern Manitoba and Nunavut
As part of Waste Reduction Week in Manitoba from Oct. 18 to 24, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin have recognized efforts to recycle tons of scrap metal from the North.
The ministers noted recent northern community recycling efforts to move 36,000 pounds of scrap metal by barge from Rankin Inlet to Churchill and on to Selkirk for processing as part of a joint Manitoba-Nunavut recycling initiative which began two years ago. The project also includes scrap metal recovery in Gillam and Churchill.
The initiative is a direct result of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Manitoba and Nunavut in 2000. The agreement identified a number of areas of interest including transportation, mining, energy, health, tourism, cultural development, arts and crafts, value-added processing, resource development, trade and commerce, regional and community economic development, and education.
Struthers and Lathlin noted that, in addition to the environmental benefits of removing scrap metal from the community waste sites, the project offers potential local economic benefits and further strengthens the transportation route between the Port of Churchill and communities in Nunavut.
"This project has spurred additional interest in recycling in the North," Lathlin said. "Communities are coming up with new and innovative solutions to waste diversion issues. I am particularly pleased to note the partnership with Nunavut on addressing this major issue. This project is a direct result of our MOU with Nunavut and our provincial Northern Development Strategy."
Funding for the project in partnership with the local communities is provided by the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) fund, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, the Government of Nunavut, Manitoba Hydro, Churchill Gateway Development Corp., Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada. Project management services are provided by North Central Development in Thompson.
The WRAPP fund supports improved waste reduction and pollution prevention practices in Manitoba. Priority areas are organic waste management and composting, construction and demolition waste management, pollution prevention, and model integrated waste management system development and planning.
The WRAPP fund is a targeted funding program under the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF). A total of 120 projects totalling $2 million have been supported through the WRAPP fund since its creation in 2000.
Struthers said all Manitoba communities should be recognized for their continued efforts to improve recycling levels in the province. The Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation (MPSC) 2003-04 annual report confirms that recycling rates continue to increase in all parts of the province, citing an increase of 17 per cent from 2003. A total of 58,000 tonnes of glass, plastic, paper, aluminum and cardboard were recycled last year, bringing Manitoba's recycling rate to 65 per cent of designated materials from residential sources.
Waste Reduction Week in Manitoba is sponsored by Manitoba Conservation, MPSC, Manitoba Hydro and the City of Winnipeg. Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM) is co-ordinating Waste Reduction Week events in Manitoba. Posters and workplace waste reduction kits are available by contacting RCM at 204-925-3775.
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