Unveiling of the first curbside recycling ambassadors projects

Montreal, October 16, 2014 – Marking the Semaine des maisons de jeunes, Éco Entreprises Québec and its partners, the Away-from-Home Recovery Program, bacs+ and Regroupement des maisons de jeunes du Québec (RMJQ) today announced the first projects to be approved under the Curbside Recycling Ambassadors Program.

Here is an October 30 interview on the subject during a “Questions d’argent-consommation” show (starting 6 minutes in, available in French only):

http://www.ecoentreprises.qc.ca/les-premiers-ambassadeurs-de-la-collecte-selective-sont-devoiles

The young curbside recycling ambassadors on hand for the announcement at the Maison des jeunes RadoActif in the Sud-Ouest Borough presented the project they will undertake to attendees that included David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change and the MNA for Viau; Marguerite Blais, MNA for Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne; Éric Cimon, Political Advisor to Benoit Dorais, Mayor of the Sud-Ouest Borough; and Étienne Dano, comedian and RMJQ spokesperson. 

The program, which is funded by a budget of some $700,000 in industry contributions, consists of financial assistance provided to youth centres that develop ways to encourage their municipalities to install recovery equipment or that conduct awareness activities among local residents, two avenues that help optimize the recovery of recyclable materials in Quebec through curbside recycling.

“The Curbside Recycling Ambassadors Program enables young people to make a concrete contribution to their community and share environmentally responsible habits with their fellow citizens. Today, the companies that contribute to the compensation plan for municipal curbside recycling services via Éco Entreprises Québec applaud the commitment of these young people, the positive impact they are having on recovery rates, and their role in developing the best away-from-home recovery program in North America,” stated Maryse Vermette, President and Chief Executive Officer of Éco Entreprises Québec and Secretary-Treasurer of the Away-from-Home Recovery Program.

“This initiative marks the first time that the RMJQ has joined a partnership of this magnitude, which recognizes community engagement by our young people. We share the common values of sustainable development and a commitment to the objective of curbside recycling and the betterment of our neighbourhoods. The quality of the projects submitted is evidence of the enthusiasm that young people across Quebec are showing for the program,” added Marjorie Gagnon, President of the RJMQ.

“We can be very proud of our young people – proud to see how the fight against climate change is motivating them and reinforcing their conviction that protection of the environment is not optional, it is an obligation! We congratulate all of the young people who have worked hard to develop an awareness project to increase the recovery of recyclable materials in public places. Through their creativity, they are showing us that together, we can make a difference,” affirmed Minister Heurtel. 

About Éco Entreprises Québec

Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is the organization that develops the Schedule of Contributions and collects company contributions, which are then redistributed to finance municipal curbside recycling services in Quebec. ÉEQ is a private non-profit organization created by companies that put containers, packaging and printed matter on the Quebec market. The organization was accredited by RECYC-QUÉBEC in 2005 under the Environment Quality Act.

Away-from-Home Recovery Program

The Away-from-Home Recovery Program is managed by Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), a private non-profit organization representing companies subject to the plan to compensate municipal curbside recycling services. The $8 million program focuses on recovering recyclable materials in municipal public places and is jointly financed with ÉEQ’s voluntary contributions and the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques from the Fonds vert, in compliance with the 2011-2015 Action Plan outlined in the Quebec Policy on Residual Materials.

Bacs+

Bacs+ was created by Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ). The group’s members and partners endeavour to send the positive message that curbside recycling is the best system to recover all types of recyclable materials because it is the simplest and most available, effective, profitable and eco-responsible.

About the Regroupement des maisons de jeunes du Québec (RMJQ)

The youth centres are associations of adults and youth whose mission is to provide, on a voluntary basis, a lively place in the community for youngsters aged 12 to 17 to gather and interact with nurturing adults and eventually become critically-thinking, active and responsible adults. The RMJQ is recognized by Quebec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. In addition to promoting the youth centre project, it endeavours to defend, on a daily basis, the interests of our youth as well as increase awareness and recognize the work of its more than 185 member youth centres.

Information and interview requests:
Jade Lavallée Labossière
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
514-375-2730
Jade.lavallee-labossiere@hkstrategies.ca