Environmental fee on collection of tires does nothing to help the environment

Monday January 8, 2007

Truro – NDP Environment Critic Michele Raymond today asked the Minister of Environment and Labour, Mark Parent, how a $3 per tire environmental fee to aid in the collection and burning of tires helps establish new recycling industries in Nova Scotia.

“One of the initial ideas regarding the creation of the Resource Recovery Fund Board was that the funds would be used to assist in the establishment of new industries based on the processing of materials diverted from the waste stream,� says Raymond. “How is the $3 environmental fee Nova Scotians pay per tire helping this venture?�

The RRFB is currently looking at a proposal from Lafarge Canada that would have Lafarge receive the environmental fee to collect tires in Nova Scotia and use them for fuel in their cement kiln.

“When will this Minister admit that using a $3 environmental fee to aid in the collection of tires for fuel does nothing to help our environment?� asks Raymond.

The RRFB claims in its 2006 annual report that they have collected $3,309,572 in environmental fees on tires and have been successful in diverting 900,000 tires on average each year from our landfills.

“The RRFB defines its mission as to ensure that the people of Nova Scotia receive the maximum environmental benefits associated with responsible solid-waste management,� says Raymond. “Does the Minister of Environment and Labour believe that burning tires for fuel provides Nova Scotians with the environmental benefits associated with responsible solid-waste management?�

« Previous News Release
Why are Nova Scotians still paying an environmental fee on tires

Next News Release »
MLA supports NS Pork Producers and Family Resource Center