recycle_popular_pages
About Us

 

Our Mission


To provide our stakeholders with the optimal environment and economic benefits associated with responsible solid waste  management by ensuring the efficient operation of the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre, maximum diversion from landfill, courteous service to the public and by providing incentives and educative services to encourage the community to reduce waste, reuse whenever possible, and recycle and compost correctly.


The Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre is jointly owned by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg and the Towns of Mahone Bay and Bridgewater. We are located on Nova Scotia’s scenic South Shore, in Whynott's Settlement, near Bridgewater.


In 2005, the Community Recycling Centre celebrated its 10th anniversary. It’s hard to believe how far we have come since 1977 when we were burning trash in a teepee style incinerator.


In 1991, the Municipality and the Towns of Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, and Lunenburg came together and established a Waste
Management Committee. At that time, the ‘dump’ consisted of a silo incinerator for bagged waste, a pit burner for waste wood and dry landfill for non-combustibles and ash from the incinerators.


Recycling was becoming top-of-mind. One thousand households representing each of the four municipal units took part in a pilot
project in 1992, with each household receiving an aerated cart and kitchen container for collection of organics, a supply of blue bags and a recycling brochure. The result: nearly one-third of the waste was diverted. The seed had been planted!


We are Canada’s first integrated solid waste management facility, servicing a population of about 34,000 people by providing
curbside collection of waste, a public drop-off, as well as the processing of recyclables and organics, sale to markets, and disposal of garbage. Recyclables from local ENVIRO-DEPOTS™ are also brought here for compacting and trucking to various markets.


Today, We manage nearly 20 different waste streams, ensuring as much is recycled as possible. We accept organics, recyclables, paper and garbage. We also accept household hazardous waste, and construction and demolition waste, including woodchips, drywall, asphalt shingles and metal.


In addition to being a world-class facility, we have been busy over the last few years providing environmental education programs, resource materials and face-to-face community outreach programs—all to encourage our customers to reduce their waste even further.

 
Programs

Two Bags Free
The Two Bags Free program is offered to residents of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. Residents of the Towns of Lunenburg, Bridgewater and Mahone Bay are not eligible for the program.

Residents may bring two garbage bags to the Community Recycling Centre for free. Loads which consist of more than two garbage bags will be charged for the entire load. Waste may only be accepted in bags no larger than 42 inches wide (107 cm) by 48 inches long (122 cm) and bags must be securely closed at the top.


Residents must provide a NS Drivers License or other identification bearing civic address to confirm residence within the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg at the weigh scales. For more information call 543-2991.

 

Illegal Dumpsite Tipping Fee Waiver
A tipping fee waiver is in effect for property owners who wish to clean-up illegally dumped waste on their property.


Program details may be obtained from the Recycling Centre. It is suggested that residents arrange a dumpsite visit to ensure waste is sorted and deemed acceptable according to Recycling Centre site regulations. For more information, please call 543-2991.

 

Illegal Dumpsite Clean Up Program

A pilot Illegal Dumpsite Clean Up Program is currently being offered to property owners within the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg and the Towns of Mahone Bay and Bridgewater to assist property owners in the clean up and disposal of illegally placed waste. Property owners may use the program once until March 31, 2013. Dumpsites 1 cubic metre (1m x 1m x 1m) and larger will be eligible.

A dumpsite survey must be arranged in advance by calling (902) 543-2991 to identify the location and materials dumped. Property indentification information will be required. Certain dumpsite wastes are ineligable for clean up.

 

 Compost Sales
Residents and businesses please be advised that compost will not be available for purchase during the 2011 season, effective immediately.


Our available compost is being used for a landfill remediation project. The compost will be used in an innovative way to protect the new landfill cover that will be placed to permanently close our cells. Its use will be less expensive than more conventional methods for landfill remediation.


For more information please call 543-2991.

 
Facilities

 Composting Facility 

 

Organics include yard waste, lawn trimmings, meat, fish, bones and food scraps, and soiled and wet paper products. All of which can be processed

and turned into valuable compost.


The organics you place in your green bins are delivered to the Community Recycling Centre, and go through the following process:


How It Works

First, the organic material is dumped onto a tipping floor and employees inspect and remove large contaminants. The material then travels along a conveyor belt, where a visual inspection is done to ensure that further, smaller contaminants (plastics, foil, styrofoam) have been removed before the organic material is shredded.


Next a large paddle is used to mix the raw material in a vessel which resembles an oversized metal drum. Wood chips are often added to absorb excess moisture and to create the correct consistency for decomposition to occur. Aeration beds at the bottom of the vessel, below the organic material continuously pump oxygen drawn from outside, into the food waste, encouraging bacterial growth. As the microorganisms begin to flourish inside the pile, heat is generated, destroying harmful bacteria. The microorganisms break down the food scraps into compost. Composting facility staff carefully monitor the oxygen levels, feedstock introduced (organic material) and moisture levels to encourage microorganism growth, which breaks down the organic material.

Considerable amounts of moisture are also released through evaporation during this process. This moisture is drawn out of the composting building by industrial fans and pushed through a bio-filter which consists of piping and a field of cedar chips at the end of the piping. The bio-filter minimizes odour as the air is expelled outside.


The organic material remains in the vessel for five weeks, then it is then passed over a shaker screen and piled into windrows where it will remain for almost a year. Windrows are long piles of composted materials that are aerated by turning the pile periodically. All compost produced and windrowed is tested for metal and mineral levels and reported to Nova Scotia Environment in accordance with the composting facility's operating permit.


The compost produced at the Community Recycling Centre is relatively high in organic content and nitrogen, and is comparable to commercial products used to improve the quality of soil.

Compost was previously sold to businesses and residents. Sales have stopped as the compost is being used for an innovative project on-site. All available compost produced is currently being used as part of a permanent multi-landfill cell capping process whereby finished compost is used as the top layer. The compost is then hydroseeded to complete the final layer. The use of compost saves taxpayers money by using finished compost instead of purchasing soil from outside sources. 


Click here for more information on composting.

 

Construction and Demolition Site 

 


The following construction and demolition (C&D) wastes are accepted at the Community Recycling Centre and must be sorted as follows:

 

Each of these materials are delivered to a separate pile on-site:

  • Brush
  • Clean wood (unpainted or treated), chipboard
  • Painted wood: finished, pressure-treated, wolmanized, creosoted
  • Asphalt shingles: free of tar paper, plastic and flashing
  • Bricks, concrete and cinder blocks
  • Metals: appliances (freon from fridges, air conditioners and freezers drained are on-site), swing sets, lawn mowers, empty drums with one end removed, and metal tanks that have been cut in half and drained

The following C&D wastes are taken to LRCRC's Public Drop Off Bins or Landfill Transfer Station, depending upon volumes. The Scale House Operator will direct site users accordingly. These materials do not have to be delivered to a separate area, with the exception of windows:

  • Drywall (separated from wood)
  • House wrap
  • Insulation
  • Windows (delivered to Transfer Station to avoid injury from broken glass at Public Drop Off Bins)
  • Vinyl siding

Read about the disposal requirements for construction and demolition waste, in accordance with the Nova Scotia Environment Act.

View our construction and demolition waste sorting guide before delivering materials to the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre.


 

Household Hazardous Waste Depot
  

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is waste generated in our homes which poses a risk to health, safety, or the environment. Throwing HHW in the trash or pouring it down the drain can be dangerous to your family and our environment.


Look for hazard symbols on packaging which indicate whether a material is corrosive, flammable, reactive or poisonous. If unsure, please conatct the Community Recycling Centre at 543-2991. 


Please note, this service is for residents and their household waste only. We do not accept commercial hazardous waste. For a list of commercial HHW disposal companies read or print our HHW brochure


The Community Recycling Centre accepts the following HHW free of charge:

  • ABS solvent cement
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Grease
  • Photo developers
  • Acetone (nail polish)
  • Contact cement
  • Herbicides
  • Pipe joint compound
  • Acid Corrosives
  • Creosote
  • Insecticides
  • Plastic cement
  • Adhesives
  • Diesel fuel
  • Kerosene
  • Plastic wood (aerosol)
  • Aerosol cans
  • Drain opener
  • Large Household batteries
  • Poison
  • Ammonia-based cleaners
  • Driveway sealer
  • Liquid Flammables
  • Reactives
  • Antifreeze
  • Enamels
  • Metal polishes
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Autobody fillers
  • Fertilizers
  • Methyl Hydrate
  • Roofing tar/cement
  • Ballasts (PCB free)
  • Fibreglass resin/epoxy
  • Mortar
  • Sealers
  • Battery acid
  • Floor wax
  • Motor oil
  • Shellac
  • Brake fluid
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Propane cylinders tanks
  • Solid Flammables
  • Butane
  • Foundation coating
  • Paint stripper
  • Stains
  • Camp fuel/igniters
  • Furnace or stove cement
  • Paint thinner
  • Transmission fluid
  • Carpet cleaner/shampoo
  • Gas
  • Paints
  • Turpentine
  • Caulking compound
  • Gas-line antifreeze
  • Pesticides
  • Varsol

 
Used oil should be dropped off here at the Community Recycling Centre, at your nearest oil retailer.


Leftover household paint can be dropped off here at the Community Recycling Centre or returned to your nearest ENVIRO-DEPOT™.

 

Transfer Station  
A waste transfer station is a facility where garbage is stored on a temporary basis until it is trucked to a landfill. 
 
Why a transfer station?
The Province of Nova Scotia established environmental regulations that required all landfills in the Province to meet very stringent environmental standards by January 1, 2006. Our old landfill did not meet these requirements and building a new landfill site was a very expensive proposition.


The Municipality of the District of Chester was moving forward with a second generation landfill at Kaizer Meadows, so we partnered with them to dispose of our landfill.


We constructed a transfer station here on site, and on January 1, 2006, began transporting landfill to Kaizer Meadows. This change was seamless. Landfill is still collected at the curbside and customers can still bring landfill to the Community Recycling Centre.


For more information on Kaiser Meadows, visit their website.


 

 
Employment Opportunities

Please note: All employment opportunities presently available within the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre will be posted on the main employment page of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

 

 TERM POSITION - Public Outreach Coordinator/Inspector

The Public Outreach Coordinator/Inspector reports to the Assistant Operations Manager - Public Outreach, preforming administrative duties, inspections and assisting in the delivery and compliance of the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre's education and outreach programs.

Working hours are from Monday - Friday, eight hours per day, five days per week for 40 hours per week. The position provides two paid 15 minutes breaks and a half hour unpaid lunch. The rate of pay will be $13.99 per hour.

Qualified candidates are asked to please submit a detailed resume, cover letter and employment references to Jim Annand, Operations Manager, Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre at 908 Mullock Road, Whynotts Settlement or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For detailed job discription, please click here 

 

 

JOB POSTING - Summer Student

The Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre invites applications for a summer student to carry out site maintenance. Rate of pay is $10.30 per hour.

Working hours will include Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The successful applicant will commence work in early July, 2013 and finish mid August, 2013. 

Interested applicants may submit a detailed resume with cover letter and employment references to Eric Corkum, Assistant Operations Manager - Transfer Station, Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre at 908 Mullock Road, Whynotts Settlement or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For more information call 543-2991

View all Employment Opportunities

 

 

 
Hours and Location
Our hours are:
April – October: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
November – March: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
& Saturday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

 

Here’s how you can reach us:
908 Mullock Road
Whynotts Settlement, NS  B4V 2W2
P: (902) 543-2991
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sign-up here to receive collection changes by email.