About MMSB

Who We Are

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) was established in 1996 to support and promote sustainable waste management through the development and implementation of public education and waste diversion programs. A Crown agency of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, MMSB reports to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Mandate

MMSB derives its mandate from the Environmental Protection Act and accompanying Waste Management Regulations. MMSB is mandated through these legislative and policy instruments and guided by the Provincial Waste Management Strategy to advance sustainable waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador with a focus on waste diversion and reduction to protect the long-term health and well-being of our environment and communities.

Vision

A clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador founded in part on a progressive waste management system that incorporates effective waste diversion practices and behaviors on the part of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

MMSB does not receive funding from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. MMSB’s revenues come from levies applied on used beverage containers and used tires, in accordance with provincial legislation, as well as from the sale of some recyclable materials collected through its waste diversion programs.

Governance

MMSB is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Board is responsible and accountable for the overall business affairs of MMSB. It sets direction and develops strategic policy for achieving the organization’s mandate and key responsibilities, and it provides general oversight of the organization.

MMSB’s Board consists of representatives from stakeholder groups, as well as members at-large.

Board of Directors

Dermot Flynn – Chairperson
Valerie Snow – Environment and Climate Change – Deputy Minister
Tony Chubbs – Labrador Representative; Member-at-Large
Maisie Clark – Consumer Representative
Dale Colbourne – MNL Representative
John Patten – Distributor Representative
Michelle Peach – Member-at-Large
Sheldon Peddle – Member-at-Large
Wayne D. Power – Member-at-Large

What We Do

MMSB is committed to advancing sustainable waste management with a focus on waste diversion and public education. The goal is to protect the long-term health and well-being of the environment and communities for all people of the province—now and in the future.

Learn about MMSB’s work in Waste Diversion and Public Education.

Lines of Business

In delivering its mandate, MMSB is responsible for two lines of business as follows:

  • Waste Diversion

    MMSB develops, manages and administers the implementation of provincial waste diversion programs in accordance with the Waste Management Regulations or as authorized through policy directives issued by the Minister (arising from recommendations made by the Board of Directors of MMSB), as well as through priorities established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.  Existing waste diversion programs provided by MMSB include:

    • A province-wide Used Beverage Container Recycling Program administered as a deposit-refund system in accordance with specific parameters established under the Waste Management Regulations. This program is financed through deposits applied on the sale of ready-to-serve beverage containers.
    • A province-wide retailer-based Used Tire Management Program administered in accordance with specific parameters established under the Waste Management Regulations. This program is financed through an environmental fee applied on the sale of new highway tires.

    In addition, MMSB works with the Department of Environment and Climate Change to research and develop Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.  MMSB is also responsible for ensuring that industry complies with approved timelines, operational requirements and diversion targets as established in EPR program plans.  Industry manufacturers, importers and distributors are responsible for program development, implementation and ongoing management of EPR programs. Currently, the paint, electronics, and oil industries operate EPR programs in Newfoundland and Labrador in accordance with the Waste Management Regulations.

    To further inform and advance waste diversion practices, MMSB collects, analyzes and reports on provincial waste generation and diversion data.  MMSB works with industry partners to conduct research, provide counsel and develop demonstration projects and new waste diversion initiatives that strive to maximize economic and employment benefits and advance sustainable waste management.

  • Public Education

    Awareness of and participation in sustainable waste management practices and programs are critical to ensuring a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.  As such, MMSB is guided by the principles of the waste management hierarchy, which places emphasis on reducing, reusing and recycling to develop and manage province-wide public education initiatives that encourage a fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviors toward managing waste.

    Public education initiatives focus on promoting MMSB’s Used Beverage Container Recycling Program and Used Tire Management Program and target a range of public audiences, industry stewards and brand owners.  MMSB also develops and delivers education programs that promote environmental stewardship among schools, businesses and community groups. These programs include presentations and resources on a range of topics such as waste reduction, backyard composting, safe disposal of hazardous waste, waste audits and recycling.

    Complementary to this province-wide effort, MMSB works in partnership with regional waste management authorities to develop and implement education initiatives that help inform residents and businesses about local waste management services and programs.

    Regional support includes strategic planning, counsel and development of educational resources to increase awareness and encourage participation in local waste management initiatives such as recycling programs, community composting and special collection events.  MMSB also provides public education support for regional demonstration projects funded through the Waste Management Trust Fund.

    All public education activities are informed, monitored and evaluated through ongoing research, analytics and planning processes designed to assess attitudes and behaviors related to waste reduction, recycling and other waste diversion activities.