News release

Car Bags Help Tourists Recycle

Environment and Labour (Oct. 2000 - March 2008)

An innovative program designed to help travellers recycle was introduced by Environment and Labour Minister David Morse Tuesday at the province's flagship Visitor Information Centre in Amherst.

The pilot project is based on the theme "Nova Scotians: World Leaders in Recycling. Our Success. It is in the bag."

Mr. Morse said more than 200,000 bags including 100,000 blue mini-recycling bags for cars, trucks and vans will be distributed free to tourists visiting Nova Scotia.

"As far as we know, Nova Scotia is the only place in North America -- maybe in the world -- offering mini-blue bags for vehicles," Mr. Morse told the crowd gathered on the lawn of the centre.

"It seems like a natural step. We are world leaders in recycling. Everyone In Nova Scotia has recycling programs. Now is the time to promote recycling to our visitors from around the world."

Along with the mini-blue bags, tourists receive a mini-litter bag for each vehicles. Posters highlighting the recycling theme will also appear in liquor stores provincewide.

The recycling campaign is a partnership among the Department of Environment and Labour, the Department of Tourism and Culture, and the Resource Recovery Fund Board Nova Scotia. It was sponsored in part by Farnell Packaging Ltd., the Dartmouth company that manufactured the bags.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ernie Fage, speaking for Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald, said the Department of Tourism and Culture is proud to participate in this important recycling program.

"The scenic beauty of this province is one of the major factors cited by visitors in attracting them to Nova Scotia," Mr. Fage said. "It is vital to our tourism industry that Nova Scotia retain its scenic beauty and pristine environment."

Another program partner, Darryl Hiltz, chairman of RRFB Nova Scotia, said that the bags will encourage tourists to recycle the Nova Scotian way.

"This is a great opportunity to welcome visitors to our environmentally friendly province and perhaps pass on our recycling knowledge and experience to other provinces, states, or countries," Mr. Hiltz said at the event.

The recycle bags are intended primarily for collecting redeemable beverage containers like soft drink bottles and cans, juice containers, and plastic water bottles. The contents can be redeemed at any one of the province's 87 Enviro-Depots, or can be dropped off where facilities exist at malls, gas stations, or tourist accommodations.

Counsellors at the province's 15 Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centres will pass out bags, with complete recycling instructions printed on them, until supplies are gone. Nova Scotia generally welcomes about 2.2 million non-resident overnight visitors to the province each year.

For more information about recycling or composting call the RRFB Nova Scotia Recycling Hotline at 1-877-313-RRFB (7732) or visit www.gov.ns.ca/envi/wasteman.