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J V durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ July 12,2006 ♦ Page A3 Local group hopes paper recycling boycott gets message to Minister BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer DURHAM -- A local group is hoping a paper recycling boycott spearheaded by a Niagara organization will get the message message to the Environment Minister that the recommendations of an expert panel on paper sludge need to be implemented. "We would hope a boycott would gel the Ministry's attention, but we do have concerns about the boycott, because this is not a recycling issue. It's a waste management management issue," said Deb Vice of Protect the Ridges. A group based in Pelham in Niagara Region has called on residents there to withhold their paper recycling boxes next week, to get the message across about their concerns about paper sludge. Paper sludge is the residue left over in the paper recycling process. When mixed with sand, it becomes a product called Sound-Sorb, and is used as filler in berms on business properties. Mixed with compost, it becomes Nitro-Sorb, which is spread on farmer's fields as fertilizer. Groups like Protect the Ridges, and more recently, the Pelham, organization, are concerned about whether there is the potential for long-term effect of the product product on the environment and groundwater as a result of use of the products. Protect the Ridges has been asking that the Ministry of Environment implement the recommendations of an experts panel on Sound-Sorb that, released a report over a year ago calling for, among other things, the product to be regulated by the Ministry. Durham Works Commissioner Cliff Citrtis said holding back paper recyclages recyclages wouldn't have an impact on the amount of the products produced ' or used, since most of what is placed in the blue box isn't ready to become paper sludge. "Generally, my understanding is that what ends up at sludge are the short paper fibres ... Those arc not found in newsprint or fine office paper," said Mr. Curtis. It's only "once the fibres become too short (that it) can't be recycled into paper." As well, some short-fibre paper products, products, like egg cartons, are compostable and therefore, belong in the green bin for composting as opposed to the blue bin, said Mr. Curtis. The Region is "strongly of the opinion ' that the Ministry of Environment should be regulating" Nitro-Sorb," he said. : The Environment Ministry is "still reviewing how to best implement the recommendations," said Lindsay Mack, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Minister Laurel Broten. But, she stressed, "the experts panel did conclude that Sound- Sorb should not be banned, and does not 'We would hope a boycott would get the Ministry's attention, but we do have concerns about the boycott, because this is not a recycling issue. It's a waste management issue.' -- Deb Vice, Protect the Ridges pose an immediate human health risk." Still, the Minister has instructed Ministry staff to "monitor the situation closely," said Ms. Mack. Neither the ministry nor the minister have been officially contacted about the Pelham boycott, but they were aware of it as a result of media reports, said Ms. Mack, who pointed out that "ceasing "ceasing putting out newspaper punishes the municipality, not the province," since the municipality would lose revenue by not being able to sell the paper products normally collected. Ms. Vice said she is aware that most of what is used'in the paper processing plants is imported. Still, she said, she's hopeful the boycott will at least get the attention of the Ministry of Environment. The boycott won't change anything for Ms. Vice, who has long tried to ensure no products used in her home wind up at the paper processing plant. "I have never supported (paper recy cling) for that reason. I'm not against recycling - I think it's a very good thing," said Ms. Vice, noting the boycott is more a way of getting attention than avoiding recycling. "We have tried so many things and there doesn't seem to be anything that gets the attention of the Minister of the Environment." It's a matter of getting the products regulated, said Ms. Vice; "We're dealing with a very profitable industry that is not being held accountable accountable for its waste," said Ms. Vice. 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