September 27, 2004

Conservation Minister Stan Struthers today announced funding of $174,000 in grants for 12 projects through the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) fund.

This year’s WRAPP grants include funding for developing a method to recycle rocket fuel, reducing the toxicity of landfill run-off, making compost and recycling operations more efficient, and providing more blue boxes to Manitobans, the first step to increased recycling.

Struthers today presented $25,000 from the WRAPP fund to Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM) for its Environmental Information Services Project.

“This funding helps the organization promote and deliver public information on composting and other environmental issues.  RCM will continue to provide information and referral services for public inquiries on waste reduction, recycling, climate change and sustainable transportation,” said Struthers.

RCM is a community-based, non-profit organization that has established itself as a centre of excellence for public information.  Last year, its toll-free information line handled over 700 requests for information.  RCM will also continue to maintain a waste reduction website (http://www.mb.reducingwaste.ca) and develop information brochures and fact sheets.

The WRAPP fund supports improved waste reduction and pollution prevention practices in Manitoba.  Priority areas are organic waste management and composting, construction and demolition waste management, pollution prevention, and model integrated waste management system development and planning.

The WRAPP fund is a targeted funding program under the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF).  Other targeted funding programs are the Environmental Youth Corps (EYC) program and the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund (MCCAF).

A total of 106 six projects totaling $1.73 million have been supported through the WRAPP fund since its creation in 2000.

Information on WRAPP is available on request from the Manitoba Conservation Pollution Prevention Branch or online at:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention  

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WRAPP PROJECTS FUNDED IN 2004-05

Bristol Aerospace Limited - $25,000 to design and install a cleaning facility for solid propellant rocket motors at its Rockwood Plant.  This will enable the recovery and reuse of part of the fuel mixture.

Cans for Cures Inc. - $10,000 to upgrade recycling operations and the organization’s marketing program.  All revenues generated from the collection of aluminum cans are donated to organizations dealing with the special health needs of children.

City of Selkirk - $20,000 to implement a centralized composting program in addition to the backyard composting program.  The purchase of a tree branch chipper will divert solid waste from the landfill and will also reduce present and future waste management costs. 

McDon's Repair (Boissevain) - $25,000 to increase glass crushing capabilities to demonstrate the use of recycled glass.

R.M. of Lawrence - $15,000 to improve the recycling facility, install signage at the building and develop a used oil collection depot.

R.M. of North Norfolk/Village of MacGregor - $15,000 to enhance and expand their current recycling facility.  This will help divert 50 per cent or more of the waste that is currently going into the landfill. 

R.M. of St. Andrews - $15,000 to enhance existing recycling and composting activities by building a new compost area at the local landfill site, building a new recycling depot and purchasing a brush chipper.

Sprucedale Industries - $10,000 to purchase a forklift to make the current recycling operation more efficient. 

Town of Boissevain - $10,000 to make the current recycling facility more efficient by purchasing a baler for recycled paper and cardboard to make larger and more compressed bales.  The cost of freight will be cut, the amount of working hours required will be reduced and the efficient removal of recyclables will be increased.

Town of Carman - $5,000 to encourage citizens to recycle more by providing a blue box for every household in the community.

University of Manitoba - $20,000 to develop a process that will demonstrate the reduction of the organic carbon and nitrogen content in landfill run-off.  This process is designed to decrease the toxicity and heavy metal content of landfill run-off to levels suitable for discharge into municipal wastewater treatment systems. 

Village of Waskada - $4,000 to increase the capacity of the current recycling facility for recyclables, divert a significant amount of waste from the local landfill and provide a more user friendly recycling system.