Over the past decade, Halifax Regional Municipality has led the province and the country in diverting waste from disposal. With its state-of-the-art landfill at Otter Lake, Halifax has attracted the attention of the world. Yet, in spite of the fact that Halifax has been able to reduce over half of its waste, the municipality raised the bar on diversion.

In 2003, HRM and RRFB Nova Scotia funded a waste characterization study, which determined that many materials, which could be recycled or composted, were still being land filled at Otter Lake. With these results, HRM took up the challenge to increase diversion by a further 10%.

Public awareness campaigns along with targeted education and enforcement measures focusing on HRM residents and businesses have started to increase participation in composting and recycling throughout the municipality. However, HRM has not stopped there. This spring, HRM launched recycling stations in parks and public areas to increase diversion further.

Dan English, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of HRM, accepted the RRFB Nova Scotia Mobius Environmental Award for Waste Management Education on behalf of the Municipality.