Asked and answered
Preparing for trade show season
For many people, February is all about love and the Super Bowl.
We like those things too, but for Recycle NB, February is also about preparing for trade show season. We are busy sprucing up our display booth and stocking up on promotional items, all to be ready to talk to you about our recycling programs.
When we do these trade shows, we are often asked the same questions year after year. Who is Recycle NB? Where do I take my oil/paint/old TV, etc.? Why can’t we recycle our glass jars? What is EPR? We thought it would be a good idea this month to answer some of those questions ahead of time.
Who is Recycle NB? We are a provincial agency established to oversee waste management programs for designated materials under the Clean Environment Act. Currently, these materials include tires, paint, oil/antifreeze, electronics, packaging and paper products, pharmaceutical products and medical sharps, and beverage containers. Our role is to ensure these materials are managed in a safe, environmentally responsible way.
Where do I take my oil/paint/old TV, etc.? This is usually an easy answer. You can check our website to find a collection depot near you. Click on the “Where to Recycle” dropdown menu, select the program, type in your location and voila! A list of return depots should come up.
Why can’t we recycle our glass jars? Our answer this year is a bit different from previous years. You can now recycle your glass jars, thanks to the introduction of the packaging and paper program. The jars, along with flexible plastics and other materials can be dropped off to a participating redemption centre where they will be collected for recycling. Currently, participating redemption centres are located in the western part of the province, but soon the program will be available province wide. Circular Materials, the organization responsible for managing the packaging and paper program in NB, has more information about materials and locations on their website.
What is EPR? This is an important question, which is why we recently added a page to our website explaining the concept. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, which is an environmental policy approach that obligates producers, or brand owners, to be responsible for managing their products from manufacturing through to end-of-use. Under an EPR program for paint, for example, brand owners are responsible for the cost of collecting, transporting and recycling their products. It benefits taxpayers as well as the environment because it incentivizes producers to design products that are more durable, repairable and recyclable.
We hope you come and see us during one of the trade shows over the next couple of months. The first one is the Saint John Home Show, which takes place at TD Station March 8-10. The next one is the Moncton Home Show, March 15-17 at Moncton Coliseum, followed by the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show, March 27-28 at the Moncton Coliseum. The Fredericton Home Show will take place April 5-7 at the Fredericton Exhibition Centre, and then finally the Edmundston Home and Outdoor Show takes place May 3-5 at the Centre Jean-Daigle and Pavillon Sportif d'Edmundston.
Happy recycling!