News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – A public education awareness campaign, combined with 1,500 new illegal dumping signs distributed throughout the province, are aimed at delivering on the provincial government’s commitment to reduce illegal dumping.

“Illegal dumping is not just bad for our environment, it is costly and difficult to cleanup, potentially harmful to human health, harmful to our tourism industry, creates a risk of fires, and it detracts from our enjoyment of the natural environment,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman. “That is why we are taking action to educate New Brunswickers about these risks and encourage voluntary compliance.”

The department has partnered with the Southeast Regional Service Commission (ECO360) to develop a social media awareness campaign which features a lighthouse piled high with garbage and messages including Shine a Light on Illegal Dumping and Take the time to dispose of your waste properly.

“We fully support the efforts of the province to educate New Brunswickers on the importance of proper waste disposal”, said Gerry Gogan, chairman of the Southeast Regional Service Commission. “A main objective of our Mobile Eco-Depot program is to curb illegal dumping by making our services more accessible to residents of Southeastern New Brunswick. To date, we have served over 50,000 vehicles and received over 2,500 tonnes of waste: including more than 480 tonnes of household hazardous waste.”

With 12 regional service commissions throughout the province, residents always have options to dispose of unwanted waste safely. Depending on where a person lives, they may have a seasonal curbside pick-up, bulk waste collection, special household hazardous waste days or even a mobile depot event. Residents may refer to their commission for information specific to disposal options at their local landfill.