Recyclers in Canada Protest Paltry Pay by Fund

Operators of Enviro Depots around Nova Scotia made the switch back to full-time hours this weekend, ending a nine-day protest for a bigger share of the recycling revenue.

Bruce Rogers, executive director of the Eastern Recyclers Association, said his members remain frustrated, but said they don’t want to inconvenience the public any further.

“The customers have responded tremendously; they’re behind us,” he said. “We think we’ve made our point; we’ve brought awareness to the situation.”

Recyclers earn 2.95 cents per recycled container that is brought to them. They want an increase in each of the next five years to bring them to 4.2 cents per empty.

Rogers said his organization, which represents most of the province’s 87 depot operators, met with the Resource Recovery Fund Board in Truro on Friday, May 9^th.

The board is a not-for-profit group that administers the system at arms length from the provincial government.

Rogers said the board didn’t have make any kind of offer regarding compensation, and instead asked for more information.

That upset the recyclers, who say they filed an economic assessment of their demands in February.

“We’ve been at this now for the last eight months, asking for the increase that we’re looking for,” he said. “All they’re doing is stalling us ... it’s disrespectful and, basically, it’s insulting.”

No one from the Resource Recovery Fund could be reached for comment.

Rogers said the recyclers will focus their efforts on the provincial government, asking the public for help through petition campaigns.

Environment Minister Ron Russell said the recyclers should direct their efforts at the Resource Recovery Fund, not the province.

“I’m delighted that they are re-opening. They do provide an essential service for the public,” he said yesterday.

But Russell said it’s unlikely the province will step in to influence the decision of the board.