FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $97,000 from the Environmental Trust Fund to support Recycle NB’s dialogue with stakeholders on the benefits of a packaging and printed paper recycling program.
“The fund is an important mechanism for our government to encourage excellent environmental initiatives that will benefit our province’s air, land and water resources,” said Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman. “With these investments we are also helping to grow the green economy and create jobs.”
Horsman spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.
Packaging and printed paper make up about 60 per cent of the residential waste stream. Recycle NB will use the funding to help raise awareness and gather feedback on the impacts and benefits of a potential extended producer responsibility stewardship program for waste packaging and printed paper among stakeholders.
The project is one of 56 approved projects under the fund in the capital region, representing a total investment of $1.9 million.
“We are still several years out from a potential program, but this funding will enable us to continue our work to explore an extended producer responsibility program for packaging and printed paper in New Brunswick, which would protect the environment, create jobs, reduce costs for local authorities and reduce the amount of materials going to landfills,” said Pat McCarthy, CEO of Recycle NB.
The Environmental Trust Fund provides assistance to community groups, organizations, municipalities and institutions for projects that produce tangible, measurable benefits to the environment.
A total of 207 projects valued at $6.5 million have been approved under the fund.
In addition, another $1.5 million has been set aside to support other projects that will benefit the environment in the coming year.
More information, including the list of approved projects and initiatives, is available on the Department of Environment and Local Government’s website.
12-05-16
