New Plan Builds on Success of Solid Waste Strategy

The province will continue as a world leader in solid waste management thanks to a new plan released today, Sept. 6.

Our Path Forward: Building on the Success of Nova Scotia's Waste Resource Management Strategy outlines how the province will further reduce waste and increase recycling. This plan will help Nova Scotia reach its disposal goal of no more than 300 kilograms per person per year by 2015.

"Nova Scotia is a world leader in solid-waste management," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "To maximize the economic and environmental benefits of our success, we must continually improve our performance. This plan helps us to do exactly that."

Our Path Forward builds on the solid waste strategy implemented in 1995. The Department of Environment will now continue to work with partners, including municipalities, industry and the Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB), to develop new ways to improve Nova Scotia's recycling and disposal rates.

Construction and demolition waste is identified as one area with significant opportunity for improvement. As well, producers will become more responsible for waste management.

Since 1995, the provincial waste disposal rate dropped from 743 kilograms per person per year to 401 kilograms. Materials recycled increased from 11,000 tonnes per year in 1992 to more than 50,000 tonnes in 2010. Organics composted increased from 3,000 tonnes in 1994 to more than 100,000 tonnes in 2010.

To view Our Path Forward: Building on the Success of Nova Scotia's Solid Waste Resource Management Strategy, visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/waste/docs/Solid.Waste.Strategy-Our.Path.Forward.2011.pdf