RRFB news and events - Working to improve Nova Scotia’s environment, economy CAPand quality of life by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering resources. RETHE Engaging Youth in the pleasure of awarding the top-prize in Table of Contents our Grade 12 essay competition to Mary Waste Diversion Emma MacNeil of Rankin School of the Turning Peels Into Petals pg. 2 Narrows. Her essay on construction and The Nova Scotia Recycles Contest was a demolition debris earned her a $5,000 Community Sponsorship: great success again this year! With 8,600 scholarship for her post-secondary studies Pictou County Food Banks entries from 220 schools, there was this fall. Canning Fire Department pg. 2 tremendous support for our annual initiative. This year, we once again offered over Another highlight this year was a new Supporting Student Research pg. 3 $55,000 in cash, prizes and scholarships to partnership between the Nova Scotia students in Grades Primary to 12. Recycles Contest and the Green Screen 2013 Annual Report Online pg. 3 Challenge, a program of the Atlantic Film RRFB Nova Scotia staff spent the month Festival. Through our agreement, the 63 Who Will You Nominate? pg. 3 of April travelling around the province fi lms submitted to the Nova Scotia Recycles to celebrate winners and runners-up in Recent ENVIRO-DEPOTTM Renos pg. 4 Contest automatically gained entry into the contest. With seven celebrations in the Green Screen Challenge. At a fun-fi lled Compaction Trailer Pilot Update pg. 4 communities from Antigonish to Kingston red carpet celebration at to Clare, we enjoyed seeing the smiling in Dartmouth Crossing, four fi lms received Community Sponsorship: faces of students, their families, teachers, special recognition and additional prizing. East Richmond Education principals and municipal offi cials. Two of these fi lms were created by students Centre pg. 5 who entered through the Nova Scotia One highlight was the celebration in Recycles Contest. Welcome New Directors pg. 5 Wagmatcook, Cape Breton, where we had

Toward Our 300 kg Goal: 2012 Waste Audit pg. 6

Community Sponsorship: Cumberland Public Libraries Bluenose Marathon pg. 6

Diverting Textiles from Landfill pg. 7

Community Sponsorship: Canadian Red Cross, Antigonish Wedgeport Legion Bridgewater Farmers’ Market pg. 7

Fiscal 2012-2013 Highlights pg. 8 Bridgewater: Region 6 winners pose with RRFB Nova Scotia CEO Jeff MacCallum (second from right); Moby S. Loop Recycling Robot; and municipal officials

PAGE 1 // Summer 2013 Turning Peels Into Petals During Compost Awareness Week

In early May, RRFB Nova Scotia partnered with waste management regions across the province to celebrate Compost Awareness Week at select farmers’ markets. Educators were equipped with giveaways to support their booths, including bean seeds, tattoos, buttons and information pamphlets on composting. Each market was also provided with a Lee Valley stainless steel mini bin as a grand prize, and staff were outfi tted with compost friendly t-shirts with the slogan “Rotten and Lovin’ It.”

RRFB Nova Scotia supported regional participation at the markets with a province- Turn peels into petals. wide advertising campaign called “Turn Peels into Petals.” Regional ads were placed in local papers and a general ad was placed in the Chronicle Herald at the beginning of Compost Week. RRFB Nova Scotia also aired a catchy radio ad on several stations across the province, and supported the campaign through information on our Celebrate Compost Awareness Week Facebook and Twitter sites. Join the Eastern Region Solid Waste Management Committee at the Antigonish Farmers’ Market on May 4th. We’re giving away seeds and compost bags, and drawing for a kitchen compost bin! 30% of waste in Nova Scotia is organics that could have been composted. Let’s feed the soil and Compost Awareness Week was a great turn peels into petals. For more information, call 902-232-2563. PutWasteInItsPlace.ca opportunity to draw attention to the fact that too much organic waste still fi nds its way into landfi lls across our province. RRFB Nova Scotia continues to work in partnership with residents and businesses to divert valuable resources such as food and yard waste.

Education Highlights: Community Sponsorship

Community sponsorship funding given information regarding waste waste by purchasing waste sorting was provided to the Pictou separation. RRFB Nova Scotia stations. The fi re department was County East and West Food provided $250 to help clients of provided with $500 from the Banks to purchase a supply of the food banks sort their waste Community Sponsorship program blue recycling bags and clear properly. for their initiative. With the funding garbage bags. The bags will be they were able to purchase distributed to clients to assist The Canning Fire Department waste sorting containers that will them in sorting their waste is a volunteer fi re department with encourage volunteers and anyone properly. Along with the blue two fi re stations. The department who rents the fi re hall to properly and clear bags, clients will be wanted to reduce and properly sort sort their waste.

PAGE 2 // Summer 2013 Who Will You Supporting Student Research Nominate? The Student Research Grants program agricultural waste plastics - Isaac provides funding to Honours Undergraduate Muise, Dalhousie University and Graduate level students for projects This fall, RRFB Nova Scotia will host that support research in aid of solid • Analyze Aspergillus Oryzae with plastic the 15th annual Mobius Awards of waste diversion in Nova Scotia. The biodegradation - Savannah Hatheway, Environmental Excellence. The awards program encourages projects from a Dalhousie University recognize the achievements of Nova variety of academic disciplines including, Scotia organizations and individuals but not limited to Engineering, Sciences, • Examine disposable coffee cup who have helped make our province a Environmental Sciences and Commerce. recycling in the metro region - Jie Ma, leader in waste reduction, recycling and The RRFB Nova Scotia Board of Directors Dalhousie University composting. approved fi ve new projects in June. New application dates added The awards luncheon will be held on • Assess microbial decontamination of The Board of Directors has also approved Wednesday, October 16 at Pier 21 in urea formaldehyde bonded medium additional application deadline dates. Halifax. density fi breboard - Gavin Kernaghan, Students and academic advisors can now Ph.D, Mount Saint Vincent University submit applications by May 31, August Nominations will be accepted from July 31, November 29 and February 29. For 22, 2013 to September 16, 2013 in the • Evaluate opportunities for use of more information about the Student following categories. solid waste resources in residential Research Grants program, please visit Business of the Year: open to small construction - Davin St. Pierre, www.putwasteinitsplace.ca/business-and- and large businesses - two awards will be Dalhousie University academics.asp. presented in this category • Examine recovery methods for Institution of the Year: open to public and private sector institutions, for example, hospitals, universities, colleges, long-term care/nursing home facilities 2013 Annual Report Online Innovation in Waste Reduction: open to individuals, private and public RRFB Nova Scotia’s 2013 Annual Report is • $7.3 million (83.9% of net revenues) to organizations that have developed and available online: www.putwasteinitsplace.ca. Nova Scotia’s 54 municipalities implemented a new product or service • Inaugural Depot Day with Enviro-Depots from waste-resource materials Highlights include: from across the province • Successful implementation of the • 2012 Waste Audit Report fi ndings Waste Reduction Education: open to compaction trailer pilot project • Put Waste In Its Place communications individuals and groups campaign. Individual Excellence in Waste Reduction: open to individuals who champion waste management Region/Municipality/Authority of the Year: open to solid waste-resource management regions and municipalities ENVIRO-DEPOTTM of the Year: open to Nova Scotia Enviro-Depots School of the Year: open to Nova Scotia P-12 schools Best Community-Based Project: open to individuals, not-for-profi t organizations and community groups

PAGE 3 // Summer 2013 Recent ENVIRO-DEPOTTM Renos

Tanner’s Transfer in Halifax Regional Municipality has added a new steel structure to their existing ENVIRO-DEPOTTM at 6393 Bayne Street. The new structure is the same colour as the original depot, and has a loading dock that is easily accessed by local cartage and unloaded by fork lift. The new structure has added 5,040 sqare feet to their facility.

Durant’s Recycling in Parrsboro recently lost their ENVIRO- DEPOTTM in a fi re. The site has been cleaned up and a new building has started on the original cement pad. The new building is the same size as the original, has been framed up, roof trusses on and Tanner’s Transfer - new steel structure added to existing building the steel siding started at the end of June.

Glace Bay Recycling owner/operator Peter Gaskell has moved his ENVIRO-DEPOTTM facility from downtown Glace Bay to the commercial area in the Industrial Park at 204 Reserve Street. This facility is a new steel building with lots of square footage for staff effi ciency, and the location provides easy access for both the public and the local hauler.

Wayne Dewolfe owner/operator of three Enviro-Depots in the Richmond County area has recently constructed a new facility at his Isle Madame Bottle Exchange location. This is a great Durant’s Recycling - new building on the original cement pad improvement over the prior building.

Isle Madame Bottle Exchange - new facility Glace Bay Recycling - new facility in the Industrial Park

Compaction Trailer Pilot Update

In July 2012, RRFB Nova Scotia introduced The compaction trailer pilot project, Anticipated benefi ts: a new compaction trailer, combining a operating in Halifax Regional Municipality • Cost and time savings for the system compaction auger on a 53-foot tractor at 18 high-volume Enviro-Depots, has been • Opens the door to other opportunities trailer. The compaction trailer allows well received by participating depots. As of • Centralizes and streamlines the system RRFB Nova Scotia to compact recyclable June 21, 64 compaction trailer loads have • Greatly reduces greenhouse gas impact. beverage containers at Enviro-Depots and been transported direct to market, which then transport direct to the end market would have been 367 trailer loads under processor. the current system.

PAGE 4 // Summer 2013 Education Highlights: Community Sponsorship

Through RRFB Nova Scotia’s Community Sponsorship program, the East Richmond Education Centre in St. Peter’s received $200 towards their class trip to Green Island Recycling in Sydney. Teacher Amy McCormack was delighted to be awarded the funding to take her Grade 4 class on a trip to the recycling facility. They celebrated the accomplishments of the school’s Green Team and learned how to make positive environmental impacts through waste reduction.

RRFB Nova Scotia Welcomes New Directors

Marcus Goodick is Joan Massey Scott MacLean the Senior Manager, was elected to is the Quality Environment and the Provincial Assurance Manager Sustainability at Legislature for for the Tire Bell Aliant where he Dartmouth East Building activity of works collaboratively in 2003 and the Michelin Tire to integrate more served until 2009. Manufacturing sustainable business During that time Facility in Pictou practices. Prior to his current role, he spent she served as Deputy House Speaker. Joan County, Nova Scotia. Joining Michelin North fi ve years with Halifax Regional Municipality’s served as Offi cial Opposition Critic for Health America () Inc. in 1987, Scott Solid Waste-Resources Department helping Promotion and Protection and Mental Health, has held a broad range of roles across businesses to implement successful recycling Tourism and Culture, and Communications production, maintenance, personnel and and organics programs. Marcus holds a Nova Scotia and Environment Critic. Prior to quality in three different manufacturing Masters in Resource and Environmental becoming an MLA, Joan served as an elected facilities during his career. In addition to Studies (2002) from Dalhousie University School Board Member. She was educated his responsibilities as Quality Assurance and was recently named a member of at the Dartmouth Vocational School and Manager, Scott is a member of the Plant Canada’s 2013 Clean50, honouring worked for several years as an administrative Site Management Team for the Pictou outstanding contributors to sustainable assistant. County Facility. He also serves on the Board development and clean capitalism in Canada. of the Tire Stewardship, Marcus also serves on the Board of Clean a tire industry body comprised of tire Nova Scotia. manufactures, major tire brand owners, suppliers and retailers in New Brunswick engaged in tire scrap management.

PAGE 5 // Summer 2013 Toward Our 300 kg Goal: 2012 Waste Audit

In the summer of 2012, RRFB Nova Scotia for diversion to assist the province in achieving Findings of Note - Residential conducted its second province-wide audit of its disposal goal of 300 kg per person by • Organics and plastics combined comprise materials entering the seven provincial landfi lls. 2015. over 50% of the waste stream (33% and 20% respectively) Over a 14-week period, RRFB Nova Scotia’s The detailed audit sort list used by RRFB Nova • Fibre comprises 11.6% of the waste stream team of waste audit technicians examined, in Scotia includes 18 broad material categories. and in comparison to 2011 data represents detail, 84 samples from both the residential Tonnages presented for each category are a 32% reduction in the occurrence of and the industrial, commercial and institutional derived from aggregate sample composition paper/cardboard in absolute terms. waste streams. (weights expressed as a percentage of the total weight) and extrapolated using total Findings of Note – Industrial, Commercial The intent of this initiative is to provide RRFB provincial tonnages provided to Nova Scotia & Institutional Nova Scotia and its partners with useful data Environment by the solid waste management • Organics and plastics together comprise and identify additional waste materials suitable regions. 47% of the waste stream (27% and 20% respectively) • Fibre comprises 10% of the waste stream and in comparison to 2011 data represents 2012 Waste Audit Findings a 21% reduction in the occurrence of paper/ Residential Industrial, Commercial & cardboard in absolute terms (Province-wide) Institutional (Province-wide) • Construction and Demolition debris comprises just over 4% of the waste stream, but saw a signifi cant reduction (42.5% in absolute terms) in comparison to 2011 data.

Overall, the total volume (by weight) of materials headed for landfi ll dropped in 2012 versus 2011. Residential was down 4,600 metric tonnes and Industrial, Commercial and Institutional volumes decreased by almost 2,700 metric tonnes. Planning will soon begin for the next waste audit to be conducted this coming winter.

Education Highlights: Community Sponsorship

Cumberland Public Libraries is busiest libraries in their county, to improve the event’s waste a network of libraries consisting of including Springhill, Pugwash, and diversion program. Through the six different branches. Cumberland Parrsboro. Community Sponsorship program, Libraries strives to reduce their RRFB Nova Scotia provided $500 waste and encourage people Every year in Halifax, the Bluenose towards site specifi c signage who visit the library to do the Marathon attracts over 14,000 that will be reused every year. same. Through the Community people from all over Nova Scotia With these signs, the Bluenose Sponsorship program, RRFB Nova and beyond. Results from a waste Marathon diverted a signifi cant Scotia provided Cumberland audit conducted by volunteers in amount of waste from the landfi ll. Libraries with $500 to purchase 2012 recommended more sorting waste sorting stations for the stations and enhanced signage

PAGE 6 // Summer 2013 Diverting Textiles from Landfi ll

In May, private textile recyclers, small business entrepreneurs, representatives from Nova Scotia Environment and municipal solid waste personnel from across the province met in Halifax to discuss the business of textiles recycling in Nova Scotia.

During the half-day Textiles Recycling Summit coordinated by RRFB Nova Scotia, presentations included an overview of textiles waste in Nova Scotia, municipal experiences with diverting textiles, reuse industry practices, and small business success stories.

Textiles Recycling Summit presenters left to right: Nicole Haverkort, Eastern Although there are several existing partnerships between private Region Solid Waste Management Committee; Kevin Locke, LML Trading/Red businesses and charities that leverage opportunities via thrift Cross; Derek Vye and Duane Waugh, Salvation Army; Reg Chitty, Value Village; Joanna Dunn, Diabetes Clothesline; Bob Kenney, NS Environment shops and international markets, Nova Scotians are still sending approximately 30,000 tonnes of textiles to landfi lls annually.

Textiles Recycling Summit presenters left to right: Pauline Dickison, Windbag Company; Gayle Walford, Give A Darn Yarn; Ruth Mathewson, Harmeny Woolen Mill Weaving Give A Darn Yarn

Education Highlights: Community Sponsorship

The Antigonish Service Center The Wedgeport Legion is used The community- based of the Canadian Red Cross for a variety of events such as Bridgewater Farmers’ Market was awarded $75 from the banquets, wedding, funerals, was looking to provide proper Community Sponsorship program dances and receptions. Legion waste sorting receptacles. The to purchase a waste separation members wanted to properly location of the previous sorting container for their office. The staff sort their waste and encourage station was not easily accessible members also received a training community members who use the and its size was insufficient. With session from the local waste Legion to sort as well. With $500 $500 from RRFB Nova Scotia’s reduction educator to ensure all from the Community Sponsorship Community Sponsorship program, staff are properly sorting waste. program, the Legion now has four the Bridgewater Farmers’ Market Red Cross is proud that all their sorting stations placed strategically was able to purchase two new locations across Nova Scotia are around the facility so that all waste sorting stations. now sorting waste properly. can be properly sorted.

PAGE 7 // Summer 2013 Fiscal 2012-2013

Beverage Container Deposit-refund Program • Containers on which deposits were received: 404 million (387 million in 2012) • Redemptions: 321 million containers (313 million in 2012) • Recovery rate: 79.6% (80.9% in 2012) • Unit remittances up 3.6% over prior year • Revenue up 3.4% over prior year

Used Tire Management Program • Passenger Tire Equivalents collected: 1.10 million (1.18 million in 2012) • Passenger Tire Equivalents recovery rate: 88.6% (90.9% in 2012) • Passenger Tire Equivalents remittances down 4.5% over prior year • Revenue up 7% (due to adjustment for unearned revenue)

Municipal Programs • 107,500 tonnes of organic waste diverted through municipal composting facilities • 62,055 tonnes of recyclable material diverted through municipal curbside programs • 99,400 tonnes of construction and demolition waste diverted from disposal at landfi lls

RRFB Nova Scotia Funding • $7.3 million (83.9% of net revenues) About RRFB Nova Scotia to Nova Scotia’s 54 municipalities for diversion credits and funding for RRFB Nova Scotia (Resource Recovery Fund Board Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation working in local recycling, composting and other partnership with Nova Scotians to improve the province’s environment, economy and quality of life programs by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering resources. RRFB Nova Scotia manages a network of independently owned Enviro-Depots in over 80 locations throughout the province, and works in • $1.6 million (includes allocation to partnership with Nova Scotia Environment, the 54 municipalities across the province, industry and regions) to educate Nova Scotians and academia. Recognized globally as an innovator in waste diversion solutions and a leader in Nova build ongoing support for environmental Scotia’s waste diversion efforts, RRFB Nova Scotia delivers education and awareness programs, partners with municipalities and industry to develop and implement stewardship agreements, and action promotes innovation through the development of value-added manufacturing. • Approved $255,170 for new research Questions or comments about this publication, please contact RRFB Nova Scotia at 902-897-3253. and value-added manufacturing For more information, visit www.PutWasteInItsPlace.ca projects that support entrepreneurs and Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PutWasteInItsPlace and encourage innovation in waste reduction Twitter at @RRFBNovaScotia.

PAGE 8 // Summer 2013