The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, today announced the 2022-23 recipients of funding for projects under the Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund and the Community Waste Diversion Fund. Over $180,000 has been provided to 18 projects that support sustainable waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The two programs are operated by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) with funds from the Waste Management Trust Fund.
The announcement was made at Memorial University’s Emera Innovation Exchange, which is home base for two Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund recipients – SmartBin and InVerte. SmartBin received $15,000 to support the development of a camera and machine learning-based sensor that allows waste management companies to identify recyclable material and avoid waste contamination, generating greater efficiencies in waste collection. InVerte received $10,415 towards the development of a pilot project that aims to reduce food and plastic waste through the development of a technological solution for precise portioning in St. John’s casual-dining restaurants.
The Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund provides a maximum contribution of $15,000 to businesses, industry associations and non-profit organizations for the development of new or improved technologies, products, services or processes that support solid waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Community Waste Diversion Fund provides a maximum $10,000 contribution to municipalities and local service districts for the implementation of community initiatives that identify new or enhance existing opportunities to divert waste from landfills.
A full list of the 2022-23 recipients is provided in the backgrounder below.
Quotes
“I want to congratulate all of the 2022-23 Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund and Community Waste Diversion Fund recipients. We have a shared responsibility to foster a sustainable future for all generations, and we are pleased to support sustainable waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board
“On behalf of MMSB, congratulations to the 2022-23 Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund and the Community Waste Diversion Fund recipients. MMSB is proud to support the efforts of these organizations and communities that share its commitment to advancing sustainable waste management. We encourage organizations and communities that have innovative ideas to consider applying for funding in the future.”
Derm Flynn
Chair, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board Board of Directors.
“InVerte is grateful to receive funding from MMSB. It will allow us to improve our smart portioning scale to fight food and plastic waste by focusing on research and development. We look forward to continuing to help our pilot testers increase efficiency, consistency, and traceability in their kitchens.”
Johan Arcos Mendez
CEO, InVerte
“SmartBin is excited to receive $15,000 in funding to support the development of our camera and machine learning-based sensor. This technology will allow waste management companies to identify recyclable material and avoid waste contamination, generating greater efficiencies in waste collection. We’re proud to be working towards a more sustainable future and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with your organization.”
Aneesh Raghupathy
CEO/Co-Founder, SmartBin
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Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund
Community Waste Diversion Fund
BACKGROUNDER
2023 Sustainable Waste Management Projects
Solid Waste Management Innovation Fund Recipients
Diabetes Canada, Promotion of Clothing Drives and Textile Collection – $11,500
Funding will support communications efforts to encourage residents in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Paradise to participate in Diabetes Canada’s self-scheduling household collection service and curbside events.
Gros Morne Inn/Taste Restaurant, Organic Waste Diversion Program – $15,000
Funding will support the purchase and installation of an on-site commercial composter to divert organic waste from the business and community. Compost will be used for gardening projects at the Inn.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay Status of Women’s Council, Textile Waste Reduction – $6,504
Funding will support the groups social enterprise, Thrifty Fashions, in reducing textile waste by introducing equipment to clean soiled donations that would otherwise be disposed.
Home Again Furniture Bank, Second Chance: Keeping Furniture Where It Belongs – $10,928
Funding will support a new furniture cleaning project that will allow Home Again to accept plush furniture from homes of pet-owners, expanding its list of potential donors and in turn better meeting the needs of recipients.
Inverte FoodTech Inc., Precise Portioning for Restaurants – $10,415
Funding will support a pilot project to introduce a technological solution for precise portioning in St. John’s casual-dining restaurants to reduce food and plastic waste.
O’Brien’s Farm Foundation, Community and Farm Composting – $14,700
Funding will support the development of a community and farm composting initiative using Aerated Static Pile (ASP) technology.
SmartBin, Camera Based Sensor – $15,000
Funding will support SmartBin in developing a camera and machine learning-based sensor that allows waste management companies to identify recyclable material and avoid waste contamination, generating greater efficiencies in waste collection.
St. John’s Tool Library, Zero Waste Festival – $14,480
Funding will support the creation of a Zero Waste Festival that includes several events held throughout the year with the goal of reducing solid waste and promoting waste reduction strategies. This event will be the first of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador.
T&H Cleaning and Maintenance Services Inc., Reducing Wood Waste – $15,000
Funding will support the recipient in expanding its services to clients and diverting previously landfilled wood waste through the purchase of a tow behind wood-chipper.
Community Waste Diversion Fund Recipients
City of Corner Brook, Organic Waste Diversion through Community Focused Composting – $4,609
Funding will support the expansion of the City’s existing community composting initiatives to improve access for residents through the purchase of four new tumblers.
City of Mount Pearl, Waste Wizard App Development with eLearning Sorting Game – $6,028
Funding will support the development of a waste diversion app, which will house its waste wizard to help residents sort their waste, and an eLearning waste sorting game.
Town of Bauline, Community Compositing Pilot Project – $3,130
Funding will support the purchase of two compost tumblers to be installed in a public park for use by 37 households and approximately 100 residents.
Town of Carmanville, Woodchipper– $10,000
Funding will support the purchase of a woodchipper to turn wood and yard waste collected from residents into mulch for the local nature trail and community garden.
Town of Channel – Port aux Basques, Woodchipper – $6,072
Funding will support the purchase of a woodchipper to turn wood and yard waste collected from residents into mulch for greenspaces.
Town of Norman’s Cove-Long Cove, Woodchipper – $10,000
Funding will support the purchase of a woodchipper to turn wood and yard waste collected from residents into mulch for greenspaces.
Town of Placentia, Plastic Bottle Waste Diversion – $8,000
Funding will promote the use of reusable water bottles over single use containers through the installation of refrigerated bottle filling stations throughout the community.
Town of Paradise, The Green Goal – $10,000
Funding will support the development and research of a new project to educate residents on how to divert more waste through recycling and composting.
Town of Spaniard’s Bay, Woodchipper – $10,000
Funding will support the purchase of a woodchipper to turn wood and yard waste collected from residents into mulch for residential, commercial and municipal greenspace.