Nova Scotia Leads Country in Waste Diversion

Nova Scotia is closer to meeting its waste diversion goal of 50 per cent by 2000. Environment Minister Ron Russell today released the province's new diversion rate at 44 per cent.

"This is remarkable progress in waste diversion," said Mr. Russell. "We still have some distance to cover, but we're well ahead of the other provinces and on target for achieving 50 per cent by 2000."

Nova Scotians have become leaders in recycling and composting in North America. Through reduce, reuse and recycle programs, the province has been able to divert 317,000 tonnes of solid waste from landfills every year. That's almost one million kilograms, or two million pounds, of waste per day.

It has been 10 years since all provinces and territories in Canada agreed to a 50 per cent diversion rate by next year. It now appears Nova Scotia may be the only province to meet this commitment.

Nova Scotia's solid waste management plan has not only had a positive impact on the environment. There are now 2,200 jobs in the province directly related to solid waste resource management.

"When you consider that these positive impacts have been created by materials that just a few short years ago we would simply throw away, you have to be enthused by what Nova Scotians have done here," said Mr. Russell.