According to Statistics Canada’s 2014 waste-management survey, Prince Edward Islanders each divert an average of 429 kilograms of waste to recycling or organic processing – which is well above the Canadian average of 255 kilograms per person. British Columbia residents ranked second, diverting 358 kilograms per person from landfills.
The Island-wide launch of the Waste Watch source-separation program in 2002 helped Islanders reduce waste going to landfill by 50 per cent. In the two years leading up to the Statistics Canada survey, the total amount of waste diverted to recycling or organic processing facilities increased by 7 per cent (2012-2014).
“I want to thank Islanders for taking time in their daily lives to recycle and compost, which has made Prince Edward Island a leader in diverting waste from landfills,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said. “We may be a small province, but this goes to show that Islanders can accomplish big things when we work together. “Your efforts will protect our environment for future generations,” the minister continued, “and save precious natural resources by providing valuable raw materials that can be recycled into new products.”
“This recognition can be shared by all Islanders as a result of our continued efforts in sorting our waste materials properly and by continuing to educate ourselves on new disposal programs moving forward,” added Island Waste Management Corporation CEO Gerry Moore.”
