Page 9, News, Tuesday, March 24, 1992 - Environmental presentation touches on waste oil, blue boxes The following is the text of a presentation to the provincial cabinet by Terrace Bay Councillor Bill Houston on the subject of the environment and Northwestern Ontario. Houston is part of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association's (NOMA) delegation which will meet with the Ministers March 25. ~ In this our presentation to you regarding waste and environ- make it clear that you have our wholehearted support in you endeavours to apply the three "r's"--reduce, recycle and reuse. We have our concerns about some aspects of the present trends and about some specific problems. Beverage Containers: One of the motions passed at NOMA's annual convention was a request that the government institute a deposit system for all soft-drink containers. For what the resolu- tion lacks in a full statement of the many arguments for and against such a move, the resolution points up the fact that such containers form a significant portion of visible garbage that lit- ters our communities, highways and byways. We are well aware that the beverage and container industries are desperate not to be held responsible for directly alleviating this situation, and we are also aware that they have presented good arguments on their own behalf. The resolution simply asks that the government focus more of its attention on this problem. 1. Has the Government decided not to institute a pop-can deposit at the retail outlet level? 2. Is the Government aware that many retail outlets by policy do not accept refillable glass pop containers? 3. Will the Government consider expanding the required use of refillable containers? Tire Tax: NOMA expresses its concern that this tax is not providing the benefit promised at its inception: we request that a portion of the tax be retumed directly to the municipalities to defray some of the costs associated with our handling of dis- carded tires at our landfill sites. 4. Will the Government consider a grant to the municipalities in this regard? 5.To what extent is the private sector being encouraged to find a use for discarded tires? Waste Oil: We request that the government review provincial regulations with regard to the disposal of waste oil from auto- mobiles,trucks and heavy equipment, and we ask that these reg- ulations be well publicized, and that the agency or agencies responsible for the policing of these regulations be fully informed of their obligations. Disposable (1- litre) oil Containers: an estimate of some 5,000,000 litres of fresh oil residue in these containers may be ending up in our landfill sites in Ontario. In an effort to recycle not only the residue oil but the plastic as well, we recommend that you consider the magnitude of this problem and some continued on page 10 ment management issues in Northwestern Ontario, we wish to |° Lions Club chooses this year's Timmy Christopher Ballantine--Terrace Bay/Schreiber's 1992 Easter Seals Timmy (top, opening present)--celebrated his sixth birthday on March 16 by doing more than wishing. Christopher, along with other Easter Seal children and their parents, joined members of the local Lion's Club and their families in preparing for the 1992 Easter Seals campaign. Ct. eS eee Newspapers: Sandwich Them Into Your Child's Education Treat your child to a daily helping of fun, facts and information by encouraging him or her to peruse the pages of your local newspaper. Your newspaper not only provides food for thought, but is a great resource for helping with homework and for finding everyday information, too. Next time your child wants to see a new movie, or go food shopping with you, show him or her how to.use the newspaper to check the schedule or find cost cutting coupons. There's always something to nourish young minds inside your newspaper. TERRACE BAY SCHREIBER NEWS e 825-3747 ©