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City of Hamilton – Public Works
City of Hamilton's Green Cart program wins national Sustainable Community Award
June 20, 2007
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HAMILTON
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ON – Mayor Fred Eisenberger recently announced that the City of Hamilton won a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)-CH2M HILL Canada Limited Sustainable Community Award on Saturday, June 2 at a recognition ceremony held at FCM’s 70th Annual Conference and Municipal ExpoTM in Calgary for its Green Cart Program. The Awards recognize municipal leadership in sustainable community development and give national recognition to projects that demonstrate environmental excellence and innovation in service delivery.
“This recognition speaks volumes to the City of Hamilton’s commitment to be leaders in environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Eisenberger. “It is a proud moment to see Hamilton’s Green Cart Program being recognized as being one of Canada’s top 10 greenest projects. I thank all Hamiltonians who through their diligent participation in our Green Cart, Blue Box and other waste diversion programs demonstrate their concern for our environment.”
The City of Hamilton has been recognized for its leadership in solid waste management. Hamilton city council approved a solid waste management master plan in 2001 that aimed to divert 65 per cent of waste from landfills by 2008. The Green Cart Program, implemented in 2006, is an integral part of this plan. Curbside waste audits done after just the first three months showed a 55 per cent diversion rate, compared to only 33 per cent before the project’s implementation. Along with substantial environmental benefits, the city has benefited financially by avoiding the expense of creating another landfill.
"FCM congratulates the 2007 Sustainable Community Awards' winners," said FCM President Gord Steeves. "These projects spotlight municipal governments that are leaders in sustainable community development. They demonstrate practical, innovative solutions to secure the environmental, economic and social well-being of Canada's communities."
"Sustainability is a powerful concept that inspires innovative problem solving and these award winning projects embody some of the best examples of sustainable development by municipal governments in Canada as they strive to increase the quality of life in their communities,” said Peter Nicol, President of CH2M HILL Canada.
FCM and CH2M HILL Canada established the Awards in 2000 to recognize and celebrate municipal leadership in championing sustainable community development and promoting best practices in addressing environmental issues in municipal operations. Along with environmental benefits, winning projects demonstrate the economic and social advantages of sustainability.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund (GMF) and CH2M HILL Canada Ltd. are the primary sponsors of the Awards. Transport Canada sponsors the sustainable Transportation category and the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) program sponsors the Residential Development category.
FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. The Federation fosters sustainable communities enjoying a high quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government. The FCM Centre for Sustainable Community Development offers resources, such as the Green Municipal Fund, for municipal governments to achieve their sustainable development goals.
CH2M HILL is a global full-service infrastructure and environmental firm providing services in water, transportation, energy and industrial systems to public and private clients in numerous industries. CH2M HILL is committed to developing innovative, practical and sustainable solutions to serve the needs of communities worldwide.
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For further information, please contact:
Beth Goodger
Director, Waste Management Division, Public Works Department
City of Hamilton
905.546.2424 x4409
For additional information, please visit:
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