As part of a provincial plan to divert waste by 50 per cent, organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador are in the midst of a pilot project to expand current recycling initiatives in schools.

The Recycle at School joint venture between Eastern Waste Management, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, plans to divert additional types of waste from landfills throughout the province, in addition to beverage containers.

“By educating and empowering students and teachers to recycle more at school, we are fostering environmental stewardship among our future leaders, contributing to the long-term positive impact on the environment,” said The Honourable Dan Crummel, Minister of Environment and Conservation.

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board has provided six schools within the eastern region of the province with recycling bin systems and education tools to also recycle mixed containers and paper fibre.

“Providing additional resources to our students, who are leaders in this area, will have an immediate and lasting impact on the health and well-being of our communities,” added Darrin Pike, chief executive officer and director of education for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.

The Recycle at School pilot project will culminate after the 2014-2015 school year.

However, as recycling infrastructure and services are implemented across the province, there will be future opportunities to include schools from other regions.

This isn’t the first recycling initiative Newfoundland and Labrador has encouraged. During 2013 to 2014, 265 schools in the province collected and diverted 14 million beverage containers from landfills.