Québec interdira l'enfouissement du papier, puis des déchets de table

Québec interdira l'enfouissement du papier, puis des déchets de table
Francois Cardinal
le 16 novembre 2009
La Presse

Visiblement peu fier de voir le Québec trôner parmi les plus grands producteurs de déchets au monde, le gouvernement Charest entend interdire l'enfouissement du papier et du carton d'ici à 2013, puis celui des matières organiques d'ici à 2020.

La ministre de l'Environnement, Line Beauchamp, a dévoilé lundi la toute nouvelle politique québécoise de gestion des matières résiduelles. Plutôt que d'avoir une date d'échéance comme les précédentes, elle est maintenant accompagnée d'un plan d'action quinquennal (2010-2015). PLUS >>>

Québec s'attaque aux déchets organiques
Louis Gilles Francoeur
17 novembre 2009
Le Devoir

Québec, qui a encore autorisé récemment des agrandissements de sites d'enfouissement, entend déposer l'an prochain une stratégie visant à y «bannir» d'ici 2020 toute forme d'enfouissement de matières organiques putrescibles, qu'elles proviennent de votre table, des hôpitaux, des cafétérias de cégep, des restaurants, des commerces ou de l'industrie alimentaire.

La nouvelle politique, dévoilée hier à Candiac par Line Beauchamp, ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs, commence par bannir «au plus tard en 2013» l'enfouissement du papier et du carton. PLUS >>>

Quebec moves to rid dumps of food, glass, leaves
New waste-management plan; People could face fines for putting recyclables in their garbage bags
Monique Beaudin
November 17, 2009
Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL – Environment Minister Line Beauchamp wants to put Quebecers on a garbage diet.

To do it, she wants to prohibit "green" waste from landfills and give municipalities money to build compost-treatment centres around the province.

People who don't separate their trash properly could have their garbage checked by inspectors, and be fined for putting recyclables like glass and paper in their garbage bags. MORE >>>

Bravo Québec!

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Should fireworks be banned?

Should fireworks be banned?
Millions of people are planning to attend fireworks displays celebrating Guy Fawkes Night. But given the environmental damage they cause, should fireworks be banned by the government?
Harriet Alexander
05 Nov 2009
Telegraph

Fireworks produce brilliant coloured displays, but they also create a shower of toxic chemicals.

Aluminium produces the bright white colours, while antimony sulphide produces the glittering shimmers. The bright blues are created by copper compounds, while the green colours are produced by barium nitrate. The red colours are manufactured using strontium.

Scientists have linked a number of these with health disorders.

When people living near Disneyland – famed for its nightly fireworks spectaculars – begun complaining about breathing problems, scientists in New Mexico found a way of replacing the chemical accelerants with compressed air. But this is too expensive to be commercially viable.

Opponents claim the displays also cause considerable disruption to wildlife and household pets.

In addition to the environmental problems, the health and safety risks – or at least the bureaucracy associated with them – have caused many organisers to cancel their traditional celebrations. MORE >>>