Showing how it’s done on the east coast
by Keith Barker
The Resource Recovery Fund Board (RRFB Nova Scotia) recently conducted a survey about Nova Scotians’ recycling and composting habits. The main finding of the survey, according to the association, was that “waste continues to slip through the cracks because of occasionally inconsistent habits at home and work, and a general lack of understanding when it comes to sorting guidelines.”
In response to these results, the RRFB is currently launching an education and awareness campaign designed to provide more information to Nova Scotians, and to encourage proper composting and recycling habits. RRFB’s survey was conducted via telephone to only 400 households, but what it tells us is indicative of recycling all across this country. A press release about the new survey and results stated that “most Nova Scotians believe they are doing all they can to divert their waste, but sometimes a laid-back approach or general misunderstanding of sorting guidelines are allowing recyclable materials into the waste stream.”
Bill Ring, RRFB Nova Scotia’s CEO, says, “Many Nova Scotians feel like they’re doing everything they can, but a relaxed approach to sorting waste can take its toll on the province’s landfills. As a province, we all need to pay closer attention to materials that could be diverted from the waste stream.”
While Nova Scotia has long been a leader in North America when it comes to recycling, their survey reveals various statistics that many of us can likely relate to as being similar to our own provinces. Some 98 percent of households surveyed say they regularly recycle, but nearly a third had disposed of paper with the regular garbage in the last three months, and about 34 percent had also disposed of organics with the regular garbage in the last three months. The survey also found that only six out of 10 respondents who worked outside the home had green bins in their workplace.
According to RRFB Nova Scotia, on average, every person in the province produces about 420 kg of garbage each year. In order to reach 300 kg per person per year (the goal established by the province’s Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act) every citizen needs to reduce their waste by an additional one quarter.
This may seem like a considerable task, but the RRFB is taking action. The association has collaborated with the province’s municipalities and Nova Scotia Environment to develop a new education and awareness strategy focused on how to sort waste correctly.
The “Let’s Sort it Out” campaign will feature a new website (www.reduceyourwaste.ca) offering Nova Scotians complete information on proper waste sorting, as well as television and web banner ads, and an educational, interactive survey with prizes.
“This campaign will make it easier for Nova Scotians to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost,” said Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Environment. “Getting down to 300 kg per person, per year, is achievable – and Nova Scotians can show the world how it’s done.”