In an attempt to expand the reach and convenience of properly disposing of household hazardous waste items, the Multi-Materials Stewardships Board (MMSB) will again be partnering with volunteer fire departments in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Done through the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program, it allows for the MMSB to work with municipalities and fire departments with the aim of managing waste and creating a greener environment.
“We all have a responsibility to dispose of this extremely harmful waste in a prudent and the MMSB’s program provides residents with a convenient and safe way to do just that,” said Minister of Environment and Conservation Terry French in a release.
The HHW collection events got it start with events scheduled to take place May 5 in Deer Lake and Baie Verte. Full day events are scheduled for Gander, Bonavista and area, Marystown, Corner Brook, Clarenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Stephenville and area, while half-day events are scheduled for Lethbridge, Fortune, Grand Bank, Lawn, St. Lawrence, Rockey Harbour, Terrenceville, Harbour Breton and Pasadena.
“The high participatin in last year’s Household Hazardous Waste Program shows a growing commitment by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to protect our environment and divert waste from out landflls,” said French.
The volunteer fire departments will be responsible for collecting and storing the HHW materials from residents. In return the service, the MMSB provides a financial honorarium for the fire departments, in support of the work the departments do in the community.
“Lat year, by partnering with volunteer fire departments, we expanded our HHW collection program into communities that otherwise would not have convenient access to this type of program,” said MMSB chief executive officer Leigh Puddester. The response to last year’s program resulted in an additional 20,000 litres of HHW being kept out of landfills.
Since MMSB initiated the program in 1998, close to one million litres of HHW has been diverted from waste disposal sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Specific dates and locations for this year’s HHW collection events will be advertised locally.
Editor’s note: For more information about collection days in your community, contact your town council.
