Month: October 2014

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2014

ST. JOHN’S, NL – October 19-25, 2014 is ‘Small Business Week’ in Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is celebrating the small businesses that are critical to the growth of the province’s green economy.

“There is no greater contributor to an economy than small business,” notes Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. In Canada 70 percent of employment is attributed to small business, while 78 percent of new jobs are created by them. “Small and medium-sized businesses will play a crucial role in the growth and diversification of the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

This is especially true for the province’s green economy, says Lomond. “There are exciting things happening here, driven by our small businesses. Whether it is the real time monitoring and analysis of environmental conditions, the provision of water and wastewater solutions for our municipalities, or the creation of electric vehicle infrastructure province-wide, small businesses are creating a greener future in Newfoundland and Labrador and contributing significantly to our economy.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that exists to promote and support the growth and development of the environmental sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. A full list of NEIA’s members – and the exciting contributions they are making to the province’s green economy – can be found at https://neia.org/neia-members/.

NEIA aggressively supports the growth of firms within the sector, providing and facilitating important programs for new and growing businesses. These initiatives include supports in: innovation and matching academic research with local business interests; international business, network, and export development; productivity and competitiveness programming, and more.

“The environmental sector is growing in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Lomond. “From construction and oil and gas to mining and engineering, the green economy encompasses elements of many sectors of our economy.”

Lomond encourages small and medium-sized businesses to contact NEIA if their work considers the environment. “NEIA aims to provide its small and medium-sized business members with the resources and support they need to achieve sustainability and expansion objectives,” says Lomond.

NEIA is The Business of the Environment, and has over 170 members.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2014

ST. JOHN’S, NL – October 20-26, 2014 is ‘Waste Reduction Week’ in Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) says it is an opportune time to discuss the future of waste management in the province.

“Newfoundland and Labrador has made significant progress in reducing the amount of waste sent to its landfills in a relatively short period of time,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director.

“We commend the government and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) for making the investments and creating the programs necessary to achieve over 20 percent waste reduction over the past 20 years,” Lomond says. The province’s waste diversion rate has increased from 7 percent in 1992 to 28 percent in 2012.

But Lomond notes there is hard work ahead to achieve the province’s objective of 50 percent waste diversion. “Organic material represents up to 30% of what Newfoundland and Labradorians are putting in their garbage bags,” notes Lomond. “Without addressing that waste stream, 50 percent is not possible.”

A comprehensive report on potential solutions for organics/composting in Newfoundland and Labrador was commissioned in 2013 and delivered to the government this past summer. “Waste Reduction Week is an ideal time to discuss the opportunities this report identifies, and what the future of waste management in Newfoundland and Labrador might look like.”

In the meantime, Lomond says there are many things that Newfoundland and Labradorians can do at work and at school to do their part in reducing waste. “60% of our waste is produced at work or at school,” he said. “Simple changes in our daily routines can help significantly reduce the amount of waste going to our landfills.”

As the provincial partner of Waste Reduction Week in Canada, the MMSB has made available waste reduction toolkits for businesses, schools, and communities. Kits can be downloaded at http://www.mmsb.nl.ca/3r-education/waste-reduction-week/.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The organization offers a diverse range of expert knowledge and support services for members working to grow economic opportunity while respecting the natural environment. NEIA is The Business of the Environment, and has over 170 members.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2014

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Newleef, the province’s green economy conference, starts this morning at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s. Organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), Newleef is a two day event.

“Newleef is an opportunity for our province’s environmental industry stakeholders, both in the private and public sectors, ‎‎to learn from one another and collaborate to grow the green economy,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Our objective each year is to build the sector’s capacity and consensus on how to collectively work towards green economy growth here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

This year’s conference features presentations by the province’s new Premier Paul Davis;‎ Opposition Leader Dwight Ball; leader of the NDP Lorraine Michael; and a keynote address from Hon. Bob Rae.

“We also have presentations, panel discussions, and professional development workshops delivered by experts working on our province’s biggest projects,” says Lomond. “That includes Muskrat Falls, our oil and gas sector, mining in Labrador, and our emerging clean energy industry.”

Friday’s agenda includes a research matching business session, which aims to promote innovation through connecting academic and private research with local business interests.

A full conference program can be found on the conference’s website at www.newleef.ca.

“NEIA’s members are active in all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy, from green building, to waste management, to resource management” says Lomond. “‎What binds them is their belief that economic development and environmental health are not mutually exclusive values.”

Newleef takes place on October 9th and 10th at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s, NL.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The organization offers a diverse range of expert knowledge and support services for members working to grow economic opportunity while respecting the natural environment. NEIA is The Business of the Environment, and has over 160 members.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org