Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I did a Member's statement about recycling and that. I have some questions for the Minister responsible for ENR: has the Department of ENR looked into the possibility of developing a paper and cardboard recycling facility for regional centres across the NWT?
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As outlined in the recently released Waste Resource Management Strategy and Implementation Plan, ENR, in partnership with MACA, is looking at a number of options to reduce, recycle, and better manage solid waste across the Northwest Territories. Materials recycling facilities, like the one in Edmonton the Member is referring to, they operate on much larger economies of scale than can be found in NWT communities. Given our small population base spread out over a very large area, the NWT will need to look at solutions. It is a lot different than those in southern jurisdictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Can the Minister advise this House if any communities in the Northwest Territories actually do have a paper/cardboard recycling program being utilized presently?
Yellowknife is the only community in the Northwest Territories to operate a paper and cardboard recycling program, funded through municipal taxes. It has recently encountered challenges in finding markets for these materials. My understanding is the city is currently stockpiling these materials onsite in the hopes that markets improve in the future. Packaging and printed paper are identified in the strategy as target material for waste reductions and diversion efforts over the next 10 years.
I appreciate the Minister for his response here today. My final question for the Minister here in regards to this concern that I have brought forward is: will the Minister work with his department to look at establishing a pilot project in Simpson and work with the village and the band in the region there to develop a paper and cardboard recycling program?
As it is laid out in the strategy, ENR and MACA will work with the communities over the next 10 years to prevent, recycle, and better manage our waste. Through the strategy, we have committed to finding solutions for a number of waste materials over the next 10 years. Beyond packaging and printing paper, target materials to be addressed include household hazardous waste; tires; additional electronic and electrical products; used oil; large appliances; scrap metal; construction, renovation, and demolition waste; organics; paint; mercury-containing products; and batteries. In addition to establishing a three- to five-year waste reduction or diversion program over the next 10 years, the strategy aims to develop a territory-wide backhaul program to reduce some of the logistical, financial, and technical challenges associated with removing hazardous and recyclable materials from NWT communities.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
