New head appointed to recycling board

A new boss has been appointedto a Newfoundland and Labrador recycling agency that has come under fire for sitting on a multimillion-dollar surplus while few communities have curbside programs.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced Tuesday that John Scott has retired as chair and chief executive officer of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board.

As part of a wide series of appointments and transfers within the senior ranks of the government bureaucracy, Mike Samson has been appointed as the interim CEO of the MMSB.

The MMSB defended itself last year from criticism from municipal leaders and environmentalists that it could do more to help set up recycling programs in municipalities. The MMSB has built up a surplus of $11 million.

The agency collects a deposit for every recyclable beverage container bought in the province. The MMSB supports educational and marketing campaigns that encourage residents to recycle and reduce waste. However, government has directed the board not to pay for actual operating expenses.

Last fall, St. John's city council deferred the launch of its citywide curbside recycling program for budgetary reasons. The city has been running pilot programs in two neighbourhoods.