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ren ca mt EWS RELEASE

1994: ELP255 March 4, 1994
PAINT RECYCLING PROGRAM COMING TO B.C.

DELTA - Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Moe Sihota announced today
that he will be introducing a regulation. to require paint retailers acroas Britiah
Columbia to collect and recycle waste paint. The new regulation ~ the firat of its
ind in Canada — will come into effect on July 1 af this year,

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks For Immediate Release

Sthota made the announcement jointly with John Berghuis, President
B.C. Paint and Coatings Manufacturers Association while touring Laidlaw
Environmental’a recycling facility in Delta. The new system will lead to a
significant reduction in the amount of houaehold hazardous waste going to

ite, landfills,

“Excess paint comprises approximately 70 per cent of household hazerdous
waste,” said Sihota. “The paint industry is working with the ministry to develop
an industry-run, goverarment-regulated program that will enable the public to
return paint to the vendor. This new system will put the responsibility for product
wastea where it belongs - with the industry that produces it and the consumers

that buy it.”

' Sihota stressed that he expects this syetem to be a significant improvement
on the household hazardoua waste depots currently in operation around the
province,

“The depots collect less than five per cent of household hazardous wastas,

cana a great deal of frustration among those trying to properly dispose of these
wastes, and are costing taxpayers over $1.4 million per year to operate,” Sihota
said. “A more efficient and cost-effective eyatem is to allow the consumer to
return waste products when and where it’s convenient for them.”

Similar industry initiatives will be taking place with salvente, pesticides
and pharmaceuticals which, when combined with paint, make up more than 95
per cent of household hazardous wastes, These initiatives should be in placa
within two yeara. Sihota noted that industry stewardship of auch products was a
central recommendation in Waste Raduction Commiasioner, Dorothy Caddelil’s
recently-released report, Greener Homes Claaner Communities.

- 30-

Contact: Mark Stefanson 387-9419
Director, Public Affairs and Communications Branch
Ministry of Environment, Landa and Parks

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