June 07, 2002

THOMPSON--The Thompson Recycling Centre was officially opened today.

"Earlier this year, the province announced $50,000 in funding for the centre through the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund," said Conservation Minister Oscar Lathlin. "The recycling centre will make a significant contribution towards reducing the amount of recyclable materials ending up in landfill sites in the Thompson region"

"This community-based recycling program is an important service for the City of Thompson and other communities in the area," said Transportation and Government Services Minister Steve Ashton, participating in the opening on behalf of Lathlin. "The province is pleased to support this program that removes hundreds of thousands of kilograms of recyclable material from the waste stream every year."

The new facility replaces the original which was destroyed by fire. New equipment has been added to the rebuilt facility including a baler and conveyer system. Several northern communities involved in the Northern Regional Waste Management pilot project will also benefit from the new plant, including the First Nations of Fox Lake, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House), Split Lake and the towns of Wabowden, Gillam and Leaf Rapids.

Through the four-year, $2.2 million WRAPP Fund the province supports projects in the areas of organic waste management and composting, pollution prevention, and model integrated waste management system development and planning.

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