Is it a form letter? You tell me
A while ago I wrote a blurb about recycling. I also emailed it off to some Canadian politicians. Here's a reply from the Ministry of the Environment:Dear Mr. Sacks:
On behalf of the Honourable David Anderson, I am responding to your e-mail of April 27, suggesting federal government research and funding support of recycling technology.
Environment Canada shares your enthusiasm for waste reduction, the department encourages waste reduction and recognizes pollution prevention as an effective means to promote both economic and environmental sustainability. Although we have a common concern for environmental protection, it is important to note that the organization of roles and responsibilities in Canada differs among government jurisdictions.
In Canada, the responsibility for waste management is shared among all government jurisdictions. Waste collection, diversion and disposal operations are the responsibility of municipal governments; the provinces and territories are responsible for approvals, licensing, and monitoring of operations. Regional or local waste management issues would only involve the federal government when federal lands or resources are affected, interprovincial or international transport is involved, federal assistance is provided, or, in some instances, the issue involves management of toxic substances.
That said, the management of solid waste remains a challenge in Canada. Recent Statistics Canada data show that between 1998 and 2000 the total nonhazardous waste generated increased by 12 per cent (to 31.4 million tonnes), while the total amount of waste disposed of in Canada increased by 10 per cent (to 23 million tonnes). During that same period, total waste diverted from final disposal in our nation increased by 12 per cent (to 7.5 million tonnes).
Reducing the amount of waste we produce is by far the most effective way to battle the flow of garbage into landfill. To be really effective, we have to incorporate the 4Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover into our daily routine. Materials and packaging that cannot be reused should be recycled at home, work and school. Individuals can contribute to recycling by purchasing recycled and recyclable products.
For your information, I am attaching an information supplement that outlines several of Environment Canada’s activities in support of recycling.
The Minister appreciates your interest in this important matter.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Cassie J. Doyle
Associate Deputy Minister
Attachment
Information Supplement
Environment Canada Actions on Recycling
Environment Canada, in conjunction with Natural Resources Canada, is currently involved in projects in support of recycling. Projects currently under way include the following:
· Supporting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in the production of a guidance manual for municipalities to help increase recycling and composting. The underlying objective of this project is to treat waste as a resource.
· Providing support to the development of an Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Model being carried out by the University of Waterloo, the Environment Plastic Industry Council, and Corporations Supporting Recycling. The IWM tool evaluates environmental impacts from all waste management system options (recycling, composting, landfill, incineration and anaerobic digestion), and enables municipalities, from a life-cycle perspective, to examine these options, test scenarios and make sound fact-based decisions on their waste management system plans.
· Linking recycling and greenhouse gases (GHGs): This project evaluates the life cycle of materials to enable a better understanding of the benefits recycling has on reducing GHGs.
An indirect approach to enhancing the use of recycled materials is the development of industry-operated stewardship initiatives, known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. These programs, which exist in many parts of Canada, give industry the responsibility for managing, collecting and funding the recycling of end-of-life products such as electronics waste, used motor oil, leftover paint and waste packaging. These programs can provide an incentive for manufacturers to improve the environmental performance of their products, through the use of recycled materials and a reduction in the use of toxic materials. For information on these policies, visit Environment Canada’s EPR Web site, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/epr.
Yet another approach to support increased use of recycled materials is to enhance market support for products that use such materials. Environment Canada has an eco-labelling program, the Environmental Choice Program (ECP), which determines and promotes higher standards of environmental performance against which products and services can be assessed. Once a product or service is certified by the ECP, the company is entitled to incorporate Environment Canada’s official mark of environmental leadership, the EcoLogo, in their advertising and promotional efforts. The Program has established criteria for products made from recycled plastic, and a number of products, including certain brands of garbage bags, plastic sheeting, grocery and retail bags, have been certified under the ECP. Additional information is available through TerraChoice Environmental Services Inc., the company licensed to administer the Program. They can be contacted at 1280 Old Innes Road, Suite 801, Ottawa ON K1B 5M7; 1 800 4780399; coinfo@terrachoice.ca. The ECP also maintains a Web site at http://www.environmentalchoice.com.
| Posted by dustin on June 15, 2004 with category tags of politics Canada environment |
Written by dustin
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