QUEBEC, June 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Consignéco and the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) are joining forces for a fifth straight year to track down empties and get full value from them. After inciting visitors to Oka, Mont-Orford and Yamaska national parks to return their valuable refundable containers to support the Parcs Québec Fund through the refund on deposit, Montmorency Falls park, as well as Îles-de-Boucherville and Mont-Saint‑Bruno national parks have joined the movement. The goal is to make a big difference for the environment… one refundable container at a time. How? By visiting these magnificent sites and dropping the empties into the bins sporting the campaign colours and the words "Your empties for a good cause".
The windfall from this partnership is already stunning: 160,000 refundable containers have been 100% recycled, providing nearly $9000 to the Parcs Québec Fund and supporting exciting initiatives. These include the knowledge base on reptiles at Oka national park, restoration of the caribou habitat in Gaspésie national park and archaeological digs at Lac-Témiscouata national park's archeological site. The three parks coming on board already have recovery infrastructure and campaign imagery to incite visitors to locate and deposit their empties at the right place. This video [https://vimeo.com/71353545] shows the full scope of this inspiring Refund for Causes movement.
"We are excited about the idea of expanding this partnership throughout the Sépaq network and raising awareness among an ever growing number of consumers as to the potential value of our refundable containers. Empties pay off both environmentally and socially. On the eve of our annual invasion of our majestic parks, we encourage visitors to commit a simple act to support the environment and, in turn, the Parcs Québec Fund so that future generations can also enjoy the splendors of nature", said Consignéco spokesperson Pascale Demers.
"Sustainable development and protecting the environment are the fundamental values that guide our daily activities. This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision and lets us not only recover and draw value from recyclable products, but also helps conserve our natural lands so that we can pass this legacy on to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren", added Sépaq President/CEO, John MacKay.
Every year in Quebec, more than 460 million refundable containers, worth $25 million, go un-redeemed. A vast assessment study has shown that most come from the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sectors. Many are also found in SÉPAQ establishments which is why the initiatives to reach and motivate consumers are so important.
"In addition to contributing to the economic development of our regions, national parks provide an outstanding glimpse of Quebec's wealth in natural resources. Today's announced initiative is ideal for enhancing the value and beauty of our resources, reducing our environmental footprint, and adding even greater protection to our wildlife and its habitats", said Minister responsible for Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Laurent Lessard.
"As with selective collection, deposit return is part of the solution in the fight against climate change, the depletion of non-renewable resources and the quality of our ecosystems. This association with Sépaq shows that the windfall from the deposit return system goes beyond the social and environmental sphere. It is a simple, tangible gesture that can generate significant economic gains that can underwrite a variety of causes. Together, we can successfully transition to a strong, innovative economy that is also more carbon-friendly and respects the environment. We must meet this important challenge so that our children can live in a prosperous, responsible society that eschews waste. Let's do it for them!", added Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel.
"Consignéco and the Sépaq can be proud of the progress the past few years. Their broadening partnership is helping achieve the fundamental goal of the Residual Materials Management Policy, namely for end-of-life waste to be the only residual material disposed in Quebec. We fully encourage this initiative, which provides a concrete example of how citizens can help the environment and support finance causes they hold dear. This project shows how we can make a difference together", concluded RECYC-QUÉBEC President/CEO Dany Michaud.
ABOUT SÉPAQ AND THE PARCS QUÉBEC FUND
SÉPAQ is responsible for managing and developing public lands and tourist equipment entrusted to it by the government. It has established the Parcs Québec Fund to exclusively support projects for the protection of plant and animal wildlife, the maintenance of habitats and the conservation of our cultural heritage in our national parks. Donations to the Parcs Québec Fund go to research, monitoring and inventory activities which serve to collect valuable data, in particular for the conservation of plant and wildlife species. www.fondsparcsquebec.com
ABOUT CONSIGNÉCO
Established in 2011, Consignéco is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic, ecological and social value of deposit-return in order to encourage people to return their redeemable beer containers to retailers. Born out of an agreement between Quebec's brewers and RECYC-QUÉBEC, this association brings together members of Quebec's brewing industry, including Labatt Breweries of Canada, Molson Coors Canada, the Coalition of Quebec Beer Distributors, Sleeman Unibroue, and the Quebec Microbrewery Association. True pioneers of the deposit-return system, the brewers are proud to have created this system over 200 year ago. To learn more about the value of deposit-return or to join the social movement, visit www.consigneco.org. Your empties are valuable: redeem them!
SOURCE Société des établissements de plein air du Québec
Image with caption: "Consignéco and the Sépaq: 160,000 empties show their worth. Many more to come, all 100% recycled. (CNW Group/Société des établissements de plein air du Québec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160622_C8389_PHOTO_EN_719908.jpg
Image with caption: "Consignéco and the Sépaq: 160,000 empties show their worth. Many more to come, all 100% recycled. (CNW Group/Société des établissements de plein air du Québec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160622_C8389_PHOTO_EN_719910.jpg
Image with caption: "Consignéco and the Sépaq: 160,000 empties show their worth. Many more to come, all 100% recycled. (CNW Group/Société des établissements de plein air du Québec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160622_C8389_PHOTO_EN_719912.jpg
Pascale Demers, Communications Director, Consignéco, Tel.: 514 953-5551; Lucie Boulianne, Communications Manager, Sépaq, Tel.: 418 686-4875
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