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Taking leadership farther

Government

Alberta Environment is committed to the protection of Alberta’s environment and resources through the proper management of waste. Its main focus is to foster municipal, industrial and public stewardship to help minimize, divert, or dispose of wastes in ways that reduce the impact the environment.

The department is responsible for province-wide legislation, regulation and guidelines for various wastes under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the Substance Release Regulation and the Waste Control Regulation. This regulatory responsibility for landfills was transferred from Alberta Health to Alberta Environment in 1996.

To encourage and assist our municipal and regional partners, Alberta Environment has established grant programs to seed the development of new safer landfills and improved recycling infrastructure across the province.

In 1975, the department introduced the Waste Management Assistance Program to fund the replacement of hundreds of unsafe, open dumpsites with higher standard, regionally-located landfills. Since the programs’ inception, over 350 open dumps have been closed, and more than 40 regional landfills have been developed. These engineered landfills are safer for the public and the environment. The total investment to date is more than $66 million.

One year later, the Resource Recovery Grant Program began to provide start-up capital assistance to municipalities and non-profit organizations for waste minimization projects. Since then, the program has invested over $9 million towards establishing recycling projects in more than 200 communities.

Action on Waste In 1991, former Minister of the Environment, and now Honourable Ralph Klein announced the Action on Waste program and its plans to reduce waste going to Alberta landfills. Over the past decade, Action on Waste’s activities have targeted specific wastes including construction, renovation and demolition material, household hazardous wastes, organic matter and electronic products. It oversees regulated and voluntary recycling programs, and represents Alberta Environment on many boards and committees.

Action on Waste’s ongoing efforts include expanding waste reduction programs, creating and distributing educational materials ranging from brochures, fact sheets and manuals for municipalities, industry and the public, as well as a toll-free Recycle Info Line (1-800-463-6326).

Action on Waste has been aided in its efforts by the support of many partners, including the Recycling Council of Alberta, the Capital Region Waste Minimization Advisory and Technical Committees, Northern CARE, Calgary Regional Partnership, Alberta Dairy Council, and Alberta Plastics Recycling Association.

www.gov.ab.ca/env/waste/aow/index.html

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