Waste recovery and reduction Act introduced in NWT

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Jim Antoine introduced new waste management legislation for the Northwest Territories this summer. The proposed Waste Reduction and Recovery Act, developed in consultation with industry, environmental organizations and the public will, through the development of regulations, will allow the government to establish programs to recover, recycle and reuse waste materials in NWT communities. The Act will also allow the government to designate materials for recovery, collect deposits and provide refunds on materials such as beverage containers.

The new legislation will allow for the establishment of an Environment Fund to finance recovery, reuse and recycling programs and to enforce recovery.

"This legislation is designed to be flexible enough to allow recovery of different kinds of materials over time," said Mr. Antoine. "Research and experience in other parts of Canada show more jobs can be associated with recovery programs than with putting garbage in landfills."

For further information, contact Bob McLeod
at 867-920-8048