RRFB: Success Stories

Nova Scotia has developed a worldwide reputation for its innovative recycling and composting programs. Part of Nova Scotia’s success lies with entrepreneurs that have developed unique ways of converting waste materials into valuable products or services. In fiscal 2005, RRFB Nova Scotia continued on its journey to help businesses and not-for-profit organizations turn materials once destined for the landfill into new products.

FUNDING APPLICATIONS

Success Stories

	Novapet Inc. Located in Amherst, Novapet is a recognized leader in recycling plastics - such as PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) used for pop bottles. The PET is ground and flaked and sold to plastics manufacturers that turn the flake into a variety of materials like plastic sheeting, carpet, fibrefill, packaging and even clothing.

	Touch On Wood Is a non-profit organization that demonstrates community enterprise at its finest. By "thinking outside the loop," Touch on Wood devised innovative yet simple ways to convert waste pallets into new products such as strawberry, raspberry and apple crates – as well as a new line of flower boxes.

	Bartlett Plastics and Precision Machining The lobster holding pen is a true example of innovation supporting local industry. Environmentally sound, the lobster pens are manufactured from recycled plastic called high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE plastic) and rubber crumb made from used tire collected through the Used Tire Management Program.

	Fresh Start Denim Art About 3,000 pairs of jeans – that's what Nancy Humby, founder of Fresh Start Denim Art, diverts from landfills each year. The 10-year-old company recycles old blue jeans into hundreds of new accessories, from top-selling tote bags and hats, to babies' bibs embroidered with "Lunch is on me."

	The Paint Recycling Company The Paint Recycling Company turns 700,000 litres of leftover paint into 150,000 colourful new gallons each year and sends it to markets worldwide.

Recycled Cycles

Halifax's Ideal Bikes services, repairs, and sells used bicycles. This small business received funding from RRFB Nova Scotia to expand its operation and offer additional services. These include a "do-it-yourself" repair shop and a small fleet of rental bikes for tourists. Ideal Bikes recovers and sells approximately 500 bikes a year, translating to 7 to 13 tonnes of material diverted from the landfill annually. RRFB Nova Scotia contributed funding to the Ecology Action Centre's Bike Again! Community Project, which included conducting workshops on how to establish a Bike Again! program, a bike art show and this workbook.

A New Package Deal

Ever wonder how much packaged food waste is created in Nova Scotia, and how it can be better managed? To help answer this question RRFB Nova Scotia funded a study to examine the sources of packaged food waste in Nova Scotia – and the technologies available to process it. The study also looked at the feasibility of establishing a de-packaging facility in Nova Scotia. Various packaging practices of dairies, grocery stores, food supply companies, food banks and hog farmers were also explored.

Yesterday's News, Tomorrow's Insulation

Thermo-Cell Industries Limited manufactures thermal and acoustical insulation, specialty fibres and hydroseeding mulch. In fiscal 2005, RRFB Nova Scotia provided loan assistance to Thermo-Cell for expansion of their plant in Debert. The expansion will help the company increase their capacity to recycle more newsprint and cellulose fibre products, which are converted into Weathershield home insulation and Celumulch, used for landscape hydroseeding.