Category: News

On March 18, 2014 the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s, NL. At this meeting, the members of the NEIA Board of Directors will be elected and appointed.

There are five (5) Board of Directors positions to be filled.

NEIA’s Board of Directors provide direction and support to NEIA’s staff in their work to represent the interests of the members and to strengthen and grow the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Interested individuals can contact NEIA’s Executive Director at ted@neia.org. At request, you can be provided with a document outlining the duties and expectations of NEIA’s Directors.

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2013

ST. JOHN’S, NL – This week is Waste Reduction Week in Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is encouraging businesses, governments, and other organizations to think twice about what they are throwing away.

“Per capita, Newfoundland and Labradorians produce more waste than most other provinces in the country,” said Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director.

Lomond says it is particularly critical for businesses and their employees to take responsibility for waste in the workplace. “60% of our waste is produced at work or at school,” he said. “Simple deviations in our daily routines and small changes in procurement could help significantly reduce the amount of waste going to our landfills.”

Some of the simplest changes recommended by NEIA that yield important waste reduction results include:

• Managing the use of paper. Reducing the use of and recycling paper remains the most effective manner to reduce office waste. 67% of typical office building waste is recyclable paper.
• Disposing of disposables. Paper or plastic plates, cups, and cutlery add up fast. Use real kitchenware.
• Avoiding individually packaged condiments. Buy milk, salt, butter, etc. in larger quantities to stop generating waste with needlessly single-packaged items.
• Changing the way coffee is drank. Encourage the use of reusable coffee mugs, while discouraging the use of single-cup machines.
• Getting rid of garbage… bins. Studies show less office waste is generated when employees don’t each have a personal waste bin.
• Involving everyone. Reducing waste in an office setting is a team effort and will only be a success if buy-in occurs across the board at all levels of a company.

“The average employee generates 1 tonne of loose garbage every year; that’s over 100 household garbage cans per person,” said Lomond. “We can do better.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the environmental industry in this province, offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 150 members.

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is pleased to announce Rt. Hon. Joe Clark as the keynote speaker for Newleef 2013: Adapting to a Changing Environment, taking place on October 10-11 in St. John’s, NL.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Clark to speak at our annual green economy conference,” said Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “Mr. Clark is an expert in the area of corporate social responsibility, and as Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition he has had experience making policy decisions at the highest levels. His address will be of great interest and value to our audience.”

Newleef is an annual conference organized by NEIA which is aimed at building new relationships within the green economy in the province; strengthening existing ones; identifying business opportunities; energizing participants in the sector; and learning from one another. The forum features two days of presentations and interactive sessions, a ‘Green Showcase’ tradeshow, a chance to see first-hand exciting local research in the environmental field, and an evening social at the Newman Wine Vaults.

The focus for Newleef 2013 is ‘adaptation’. “Our focus will be on how businesses in the environmental sector of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy can adapt and grow through a changing climate, changing markets, changing regulations and processes, changing technologies, and changing corporate expectations,” says Lomond. “We look forward to Mr. Clark’s insight on corporate responsibility as it pertains to the environment.”

Canada’s 16th Prime Minister, Clark has had a distinguished and influential career in Canadian politics, and has since been active internationally as the architect of a series of significant Canadian initiatives in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Clark is very active in international business and governance as the founder and chairman of a company harvesting underwater timber in Ghana and as director of the BDA foundation, which teaches Congolese farmers to harvest and market medicinal plants.

“The businesses and organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador that are driving the growth of the green economy can learn from the commitment and passion Mr. Clarke has shown in all of his initiatives,” said Lomond.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the environmental industry in this province, offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 140 members.

— 30 —

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley: 709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
September 23, 2013

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has revealed the theme and agenda for its annual environmental sector conference.

Newleef 2013: Adapting to a Changing Environment, which is taking place on October 10-11 in St. John’s, will focus on how businesses in the environmental sector of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy can adapt and grow through a changing climate, changing markets, changing regulations and processes, and changing technologies.

This year’s forum will include:

• a keynote address from the RT. HON. JOE CLARK, former Prime Minister of Canada
• a day and a half of presentations and interactive sessions for businesses, organizations, and individuals in the local green economy;
• the “Green Showcase” trade exhibition which will feature contests, refreshments, and a peek into the vast array of business being done in Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental sector;
• a social at the Newman Wine Vaults featuring live entertainment, locally sourced food and beverages, and an extraordinary opportunity to network with others in the sector;
• the chance to see first hand some of the exciting research being done in our province in the environmental field through rapid-fire presentations from researchers

More information and registration can be found on the Newleef website at https://neia.org/newleef-2013/register/.

NewLeef, which stands for the Newfoundland and Labrador Economy and the Environment Forum, is an annual conference aimed at building new relationships within the green economy in the province; strengthening existing ones; identifying business opportunities; energizing participants in the sector; and learning from one another.

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held a roundtable yesterday on best practices in consultation and engagement with aboriginal groups as it relates to project and resource development.

“The environmental sector is regularly involved in business activities which require or benefit from the involvement of aboriginal groups throughout the province,” said Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “Whether it be in environmental assessment, permitting, or mega-project planning and implementation, the engagement process is vital to achieving successful outcomes.”

The event featured an overview of the province’s new aboriginal consultation policy and practical considerations for industry undertaking projects in Newfoundland and Labrador by the Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Felix Collins.

“Our roundtable brought sector stakeholders together – government, industry, and aboriginal groups – to have an open discussion on best practices and new requirements in aboriginal engagement,” said Lomond.

Sessions led by sector stakeholders included discussions on past agreements with aboriginal groups, recent approaches and experiences of industry practitioners, and perspectives on the consultation process from Aboriginal group representatives.

“NEIA’s role is to provide businesses and organizations working in the environmental sector in the province with the tools they need to grow our green economy and provide meaningful employment,” said Lomond. “Effective engagement and partnership with aboriginal groups will be vital in the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the environmental industry in this province, offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 140 members.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley: 709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2013

NEIA is encouraging businesses and organizations across the province to attend Earth Bound, Newfoundland and Labrador’s first Organic Waste Management conference being organized by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) on September 26th and 27th in St. John’s.

“Organic waste management has been identified as an area of business opportunity by both firms operating within the environmental sector and third-party consultants,” said Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “There are really two types of opportunities. Firstly, firms can reduce their operating costs and increase their competitiveness through waste reduction and leaner production. Secondly, the organic waste produced by many businesses and organizations has significant economic value. It can be a stand-alone product that provides a return to the business.”

Earth Bound aims to broker relationships between waste generators, both public and private, and waste managers in the province. The two-day conference invites businesses, organic waste producers and managers, municipalities, provincial government departments, and environmental organizations to participate in industry-lead educational and technical sessions and an equipment and technology exhibition. Collaboratively, conference participants will explore economic development opportunities aimed at harvesting the full value of organics from both existing and new waste supply streams.

“The MMSB’s role in creating awareness and facilitating the development of partnerships within and across the sector compliments NEIA’s efforts to advance innovation and productivity within the environmental sector,” said Lomond. “To that end, NEIA will be participating in the conference by facilitating panel discussions and working to identify and broker possible waste stream relationships.”

“We are encouraging businesses and organizations across all sectors to consider their role in the organic waste stream, and to learn how they can benefit from entering new value chains.”

More information on Earth Bound can be found at the conference’s website at earthbound2013.com.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is accepting expressions of interest for presentations at its NewLeef 2013 conference.

As the forum’s agenda is being finalized, NEIA is canvassing those involved in the province’s green economy for their ideas on timely and valuable topics of business and environmental interest. The focus for NewLeef 2013 is “adaptation”: how businesses in the environmental sector can adapt to a changing climate, changing markets, changing regulations and processes, and changing technology.

Are there issues that you would like to see addressed at NewLeef? Are there topics that you would like to see covered that would benefit your business? Is there a presentation that you would like to give that you feel would benefit the sector?

Contact Kieran Hanley at kieran@neia.org with your ideas.

NewLeef 2013 is being held on October 10-11, at the Holiday Inn in St. John’, NL.

Program and registration details coming soon.

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2013

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) today launched a new website which will both represent and service the province’s green economy.

“NEIA’s role is to grow and develop the environmental sector of business in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Our new website outlines our priorities and initiatives in helping drive business growth and economic development in the sector.”

Lomond says that NEIA’s new website is also an enhanced resource for businesses operating within the sector. “The information we are providing our visitors is much more robust and accessible that it ever has been,” he said. “We aim to give participants in the green economy information on all the opportunities at their disposal to help their businesses succeed.”

NEIA is inviting firms, organizations, and individuals with interest in the province’s green economy to contact the association with their own ideas and suggestions for the NEIA website. “The environmental sector is a growing and ever-changing segment of the economy,” said Lomond, “and our website will reflect that.”

NEIA’s new website can be viewed at www.neia.org. Comments, ideas, and suggestions can be made to Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator at kieran@neia.org.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the environmental industry in this province. It is Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier resource for the industry offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 140 members.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Location: Holiday Inn St. John’s

Join NEIA for a discussion of Aboriginal Consultation requirements, processes, and recent practice for proposed development projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, from the perspective of environmental firms and practitioners with recent and on-going experience in this field.

This session will include an overview of current and asserted land claims in Labrador; the new provincial Aboriginal Consultation Policy; the process in establishing agreements with Aboriginal groups; and a panel discussion on recent approaches and experiences. The panel will include representatives from both the provincial government and industry.

Click here to download the agenda.

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2013

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is applauding the provincial government’s launch of its final phase in the New Harbour Remediation Project and is encouraging the Department of Environment and Conservation to address other sites throughout the province which require attention.

“By launching the final phase of its remediation of the New Harbour landfill, the provincial government is doing what is right for the residents of New Harbour, and the natural environment,” said Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA.

In 1994 a number of transformer casings, which were contaminated with polychloinated biphenyls (PCBs), were land-filled at the New Harbour Barrens waste disposal site. The New Harbour landfill was closed in 2009 when the government moved towards a regional waste management structure, however the casings and hazard to the natural environment remained.

“These casings have presented an environmental danger to aquatic life, plant life, and animal life in the area. Their removal will eliminate that risk” said Lomond.

NEIA believes the government’s work in New Harbour is commendable, and suggests that the same approach be taken on other contaminated sites that may exist across Newfoundland and Labrador.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the environmental industry in this province. It is Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier resource for the industry offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 140 members.

Media Contact:
Ted Lomond
709.237.8390