N.S. considers putting electronics, oil filters on no-trash list

Nova Scotia is considering banningunwanted electronics and oil filtersfrom garbage cans in aneffortto step upits recycling program.

Environment officials say a booming economy and an increase in packaging has created more waste, making it tough to meet recycling and composting goals.

The amount of material being diverted from landfills in Nova Scotia has slipped below 50 per cent, a target the province set and reached for many years.

So, says Environment Minister Mark Parent, new programs are needed.

Parent says he's working with the other three environment ministers in Atlantic Canada to ban unwanted electronic goods from landfills and make the manufacturers responsible for recycling them.

"We think we could recycle up to about 90 per cent of electronic waste products, which are a big item in landfills now," he said.

Parent says oil filters could be banned from landfills by early spring. They would have to be cleaned and used as scrap metal.

One idea to ensure materials that are supposed to be recycled or composted don't end up in landfills is to make homeowners use clear garbage bags.

"We're working with municipalities to encourage them to use best management practices, which could include the clear bag," Parent said.

Parent says he'll wait and see how many municipalities adopt clear bags before he decides whether to make them mandatory.