Make Your Contribution at the Curb ™ Launches

Challenges People to Raise Money for Local Healthcare by Recycling More

June 8, 2012 - Emterra Group has launched a first-of-its-kind-in-Canada campaign challenging people to raise money for local healthcare initiatives by recycling more.

Called 'Make Your Contribution at the Curb!'™, Emterra pledges to donate $1 for every tonne of recyclables residents in two Canadian jurisdictions – the Region of Niagara in Ontario and the Cities of Courtenay and Comox in BC – put at the curb for collection.

In both cases, the campaigns will span a number of years helping to raise substantial funds for local healthcare.

"We wanted to have more of a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work," said Emterra founder and CEO, Emmie Leung. "Because Emterra is more than a waste and resource management company, we wanted to go beyond simply giving money to good causes. This kind of initiative, where we invite partnership with the community is at the heart of our corporate culture."

In the Region of Niagara, Emterra collects recyclables, green bin and yard organics, and waste from 160,200 households, as well as from businesses and local government buildings. Emterra pledges up to $500,000 over the seven years of its contract with Niagara…and potentially more if residents really get behind the challenge. The money will be used to purchase new cancer treatment equipment to be installed at the Walker Family Cancer Centre. The facility is now under construction and is expected to be completed this fall.

Through its Emterra Tire Recycling division, Emterra will enhance the fund raising opportunities in Niagara by holding two Eco-Depot days, one in the spring and the other in the fall, to collect used automobile and truck tires for recycling. Emterra will donate a further $1 to the fund for every used tire that is recycled during the Eco-Depot days.

In the adjacent municipalities of Courtenay and Comox in British Columbia, Emterra collects recycling and waste from 15,000 households and businesses. Typically residents in these municipalities recycle about 4,800 tonnes of materials a year.

"The challenge to the residents of Courtenay and Comox is the same. Recycle more and we'll donate even more to local healthcare," Ms. Leung promised. The funds raised will go to the St. Joseph's General Hospital to support its cardiac care campaign.

Emterra Environmental is no stranger to St. Joseph's. In the past, it has made financial donations to help equip the maternal care unit with the latest technology for at risk newborns. 

'Make Your Contribution at the Curb!'™ is part of Emterra's Community Care™ program.

"One of our corporate commitments is to promote healthier, more sustainable communities through better solid waste and resource management. We do this by working to increase the amount we recycle, and decrease what we send for disposal in landfill, thereby helping to improve the environment," said Ms. Leung.

Go to the Niagara Make Your Contribution at the Curb!™ campaign page.

Go to the Courtenay/Comox Make Your Contribution at the Curb!™ campaign page.

To inquire about Emterra's Community Care™ program or the 'Make Your Contribution at the Curb'™ challenge, contact Paulina Leung at Paulina.Leung@emterra.ca or call 905.336.9084, ext. 130.