The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is launching a new campaign, Recycle @ Home, to increase participation and proper use of curbside recycling programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the campaign, MMSB is partnering with communities throughout the province to encourage residents to ‘join the curbside revolution’ to help reduce waste and protect the environment.
Based on research performed by MMSB in partnership with regional waste management authorities, it is estimated that residents are incorrectly placing more than half of their recyclable materials (57 per cent) in the garbage rather than in blue bags to recycle them at the curb. If this material was recycled rather than disposed, residents could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 157,000 tonnes annually in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is equivalent to taking 47,000 vehicles off the road.
The campaign is designed to help residents make greener choices when managing their waste and to raise awareness about the impact of their actions. From promoting what should be placed in the blue bag to showing the journey recyclables take once they are placed to the curb – Recycle @ Home provides answers to common questions and builds transparency around the entire process. Resources will be shared through MMSB, as well as the network of partnering communities and regional authorities responsible for collecting waste.
The campaign includes a number of multi-media materials, including videos, social media posts, radio, print resources and a designated webpage which includes a section for frequently asked questions (FAQ). The campaign also shows the recycling journey through a video featuring Marg Delahunty, Warrior Princess played by Mary Walsh and featuring local actor Rory Lambert.
To learn more, visit recycleathomenl.ca.
Quotes
“Protecting our environment is a shared responsibility and the simple act of reducing, reusing and recycling our waste has a tremendous impact. Together, let’s do our part by placing our recyclable waste in a blue bag – an easy and effective way to make a positive change to the environment.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Newfoundland and Labrador currently diverts over 19 million pounds of material annually through blue bag programs. If residents were placing all recyclable material in their blue bag instead of the garbage, we could more than double the amount of material being diverted. This campaign is designed to promote simple sustainable practices at home that can make a big difference for the environment and the future health of our planet. We are already putting our waste to the curb, the only difference is the colour bag it is going in.”
Derm Flynn
Chair of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
“Everything we throw away must go somewhere, and one sure way to keep what we throw away from going in the landfill is to encourage more people to recycle. That requires keeping up our efforts to raise public awareness and there can never be too much education around recycling. The ERSB is proud to partner with MMSB to launch this new educational campaign as we continue to promote responsible waste diversion among the municipalities and customers we serve.”
Steve Tessier,
Chair, Eastern Regional Service Board
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Learn more
Recycle @ Home
Marg Delahunty Recycling Journey Video