Nova Scotia: Too Good to Waste

A Summary of the Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy

Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy

Solid Waste-Resource Management Regulations

The Strategy; Reaching Our Goal

The Province of Nova Scotia has become a world leader at diverting valuable materials from disposal. Seizing the opportunity to turn waste into resources, the Province has created hundreds of jobs while protecting the natural beauty of Nova Scotia. We are investing in our people and our newest natural resource: solid waste.

To drive these economic and environmental benefits, the Province legislated to devert 50% of waste from disposal. The steps required to reach this goal are detailed in the Province's Solid Waste-Resourse Management Strategy. Read on for an overview of the Strategy and a summary of what it means for Nova Scotians.

The Nova Scotia Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy at a Glance

Disposal Bans

Valuable resources that can be recycled or composted are no longer accepted for disposal in Nova Scotia. These include:

• Food Waste
• Leaf and yard waste
• Beverage containers
• Newsprint
• Corrugated cardboard
• Steel/tin food containers
• Glass food containers
• Select plastics
• Used tires
• Waste paint
• Car batteries
• Antifreeze

Industry Stewardship

Deposits and returns apply to the following non-refillable beverage containers:

Deposits applied to refillable containers are completely refundable.

Milk Carton Recycling
Nova Scotia milk producers provide funding and in-kind advertisement to municipalities in Nova Scotia to recycle milk cartons.

Tire Return System
Tires sold within the Province are diverted from disposal and reprocessed into valuable products right here in Nova Scotia. An Environmental Fee of $3.00 for all new passenger tires and $9.00 for all new truck tires is applied to manage this system.

Used Oil Return
Retailers who sell motor oil must either accept used oil or provide a collection depot within 5 kilometers of their business. This ensures that all Nova Scotians have a convenient place to deliver their used oil for reprocessing.

Paint Recycling
Beginning June 2002, a new Paint Recycling Program -- a partnership betwwen the province and the paint industry -- will allow residents to return leftover paint to any of the province's Enviro-Depots® at no charge.

Newspaper Recycling
Stewardship agreements have been signed with the daily and community newspapers throughout Nova Scotia. The newspaper industry donates approximately $200,000 of in-kind advertising space annually to assist RRFB Nova Scotia and the Municipalities educate the public about environmental issues.

Future Agreements
Stewardship agreements are being negotiated on an on-going basis with industries whose products and packaging generate solid-waste.

Job Creation

A new resource requires a new work force to handle and process the banned materials and to create valuable new products. There are now 3000 jobs in Nova Scotia directly related to waste-resource management.

RRFB Nova Scotia

The RRFB is a private, not-for-profit organization with the following mandates:

• administer the deposit-refund program for beverage containers;
• create jobs by promoting the manufacturing of new products;
• negotiate industry stewardship agreements;
• direct funding to municipalities; and
• educate the general public.

Regional Cooperation and Disposal Sites

Cooperation among bordering municipalities will reduce the number of disposal sites from 40 in 1995 to less than 10 in 2005. All new disposal sites must meet strict environmental regulations. Open burning of municipal solid waste is banned in Nova Scotia.

Education and Awareness

The RRFB is coordinating a provincial education and awareness program to help Nova Scotian's understand how the Strategy will affect them in their homes and at work.

What the Strategy Means for Nova Scotians

A Trip to the ENVIRO-DEPOT™

Many Nova Scotians visit their local ENVIRO-DEPOT™ to redeem their beverage containers. Residents can also return other materials such as newsprint, cardboard, automotive batteries and paint. Community charitable groups often benefit from donated returns.

Curbside Recycling

Nova Scotians can place a wide variety of materials at the curb for recycling. The types of materials acceptable in these programs are expanding every year.

Almost 100% of Nova Scotians have access to curbside recycling.

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting is an easy and cost-effective means of diverting a portion of the banned compostable organic material.

Curbside Composting

Compostable organic material is collected from a majority of Nova Scotian households and composted at central composting facilities.

Compostable organic materials include:

• all food (including meat, fish, bones and dairy products)
• leaf and yard waste.
• non-recyclable paper products (e.g. soiled paper towels, napkins, etc.)

Combined with ENVIRO-DEPOT™ and curbside recycling, centralized curbside composting can divert over 75% of a homeowner's waste! Over 70% of Nova Scotians have access to curbside organic collection.

Recycling and Organics Collection at Work

The introduction of the disposal bans has meant that more and more Nova Scotians can recycle at work as well as at home.

Providing access to recycling and composting will ensure a level playing field exists for all businesses.

Household Hazardous Waste

Many Nova Scotians have access to permanent or periodic Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Depots for recycling or safe disposal of waste paint, batteries and other HHW. Waste oil can be returned to waste oil depots set up by retailers who sell oil.

Less Waste Means Better Business

The Strategy has both challenged and created opportunities for business owners and operators. Responsible waste management and job creation leads to a more prosperous community in which to do business.

What the Strategy means for Nova Scotia

Less waste means fewer and safer disposal sites, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy. Nova Scotia is moving into the next century with a sustainable vision and a will to ensure that our natural resources are protected and job opportunities are maximized for future generations.

Your local office of the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment and Labour:

Nova Scotia Deptment of Environment and Labour
P.O. Box 2107
Halifax, NS B3J 3B7
(902) 424-5300
Fax (902) 424-0569

RRFB Nova Scotia Helpline

1-877-313-RRFB (7732)