Divert NS 2024-2025 Annual Report
CEO MESSAGE
Using the power that’s in our hands
This year has been a pivotal period for Divert NS, marked by reflection, growth, and renewed dedication. As we closed the chapter on our 2020–2025 strategic plan—a period defined by resilience and meaningful progress—we took stock of the strides made in advancing sustainable waste diversion across Nova Scotia. This plan served as a vital compass, guiding our priorities through an evolving environmental and operational landscape, and enabling us to respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities.
We spent much of Fiscal 2025 looking ahead and developing our new five-year strategic plan for Fiscal 2026 to Fiscal 2030. Building on the foundation laid by our previous plan, this new roadmap sets bold goals designed to propel Divert NS towards the next decade. Our renewed and expanded focus reflects both continuity and growth, with clear commitments to deepen our environmental impact, strengthen our team and operations, and enhance our partnerships. It is this strategic direction that will guide us as we continue to serve and inspire Nova Scotians toward greater sustainability.
Building on this momentum, we successfully developed and launched a province-wide awareness campaign to revitalize beverage container recycling in Nova Scotia—an initiative that fills us with pride and has already made an impact across our communities. The campaign’s central message, “The Power Is in Your Hands,” highlights the vital role that every individual plays in returning their beverage containers to one of Nova Scotia’s 77 Enviro-Depots so they can be recycled. This simple yet powerful action transforms ordinary citizens into heroes and recycling champions.
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This year’s annual theme, “We have the power,” aligns with the message of the campaign, reaffirming our individual and collective power. This power grows stronger as we deepen our commitment and expand our understanding of sustainable living. At Divert NS, we are inspired by the increasing number of Nova Scotians embracing this responsibility each year. Their united efforts demonstrate that meaningful change happens when individuals come together with a shared purpose. This spirit of community and stewardship fuels our optimism for the future and strengthens our resolve to support and amplify positive environmental actions across the province.
This past year also reinforced how our everyday actions—when supported by effective programs and systems—can power real environmental impact. Through our core programs, Nova Scotians demonstrated their shared commitment to the circular economy by returning 443 million beverage containers and 1.4 million tires for recycling. These materials were not only diverted from landfill, but repurposed into new products, keeping valuable resources in the circular economy. It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve together when individuals embrace their role in recycling, small actions add up to big change.
I want to take a moment to sincerely acknowledge that our achievements over the past year would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment, hard work, and engagement of our dedicated staff, board members, and valued partners. Their passion, expertise, and cooperative spirit have been the driving force behind our success, enabling us to make meaningful progress to our goals. I am deeply grateful for their contributions and the positive impact they continue to have on our organization and the communities we serve. Looking ahead, I also want to express my gratitude in advance for their ongoing dedication as we embark on the next chapter. Together, I am confident that we will continue to build on our momentum and accomplish even greater things in the year to come.
I’m pleased to present the annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The stories within these pages reflect our deep commitment to embracing the power we hold, and the need to continue leveraging it effectively to advance our mission.
Stacy Breau,
CEO, Divert NS
Through our core programs, Nova Scotians demonstrated their shared commitment to the circular economy by returning 443 million beverage containers and 1.4 million tires for recycling.
Stacy Breau, CEO
About us
THE POWER OF DIVERT NS
For almost 30 years, Divert NS has helped drive the culture of recycling in Nova Scotia. We operate recycling programs for beverage containers and used tires, provide oversight for the Extended Producer Responsibility program for packaging, paper products, and packaging-like products; and work in partnership with businesses, like-minded environmental organizations, government, and academia to foster stewardship, fund innovation, educate Nova Scotians, and support municipal waste programs provincewide.
The Power Is Ours
Every once in a while, and now perhaps more than ever before, it’s important to remind ourselves that the key to a better future is in our hands. While it’s easy to feel like our personal impact is limited, it is crucial to keep in mind that our collective one is boundless. Our tremendous successes of the last 29 years stem not from a handful of individuals but from province-wide efforts: research, innovation, education, communication, and daily actions by hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotians, united by a desire for a sustainable future for themselves and the following generations. We—every single one of us—have the power to foster change, and we’ll continue exercising that tremendous collective power to tackle every challenge ahead.
Our Mandates
Develop and implement industry stewardship programs.
Fund municipal or regional diversion programs.
Develop and operate a deposit-refund system for beverage containers.
Develop education and awareness of source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.
Promote the development of value-added manufacturing in the province.
Act as the oversight authority for the Extended Producer Responsibility program for Packaging, Paper products, and Packaging-like products (EPR for PPP).
Our Pillars
Stewardship: Foster industry stewardship to reduce or divert waste from landfills and encourage Nova Scotia’s culture of refusing to waste.
Innovation: Enable new opportunities and approaches to waste diversion and reduction.
Catalyst for Change: Create relationships built on trust, lead by example, and bring together environmental change-makers.
OUR MISSION:
Working with Nova Scotians to improve our environment, economy, and quality of life by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering resources.
OUR VISION:
Leading Nova Scotia to a sustainable, wasteless future.
Divert NS Staff (from left to right): Lisa Byers, Manager of Accounting and Compliance, and Alanna McPhee, Executive Director of EPR for PPP Oversight
WE HAVE THE POWER
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WE HAVE THE POWER •
Divert NS Staff (from left to right): Spencer MacLean (Summer Warehouse Worker), Adolfo Vargas (Operations and Procurement Specialist), Laura Bonga (EPR Compliance Officer), and Sarah Ingraham (Summer Intern and NSCC Bursary Winner)
Strategic Plan Overview
THE POWER OF Direction
Every organization needs a clear destination and a roadmap to reach it. Over the past five years, Divert NS has followed a strategic plan that guided our priorities and helped us navigate a changing landscape.
Now, as we close one chapter and begin another, we’re proud to launch our new five-year strategic plan, spanning Fiscal 2026 to 2030. This refreshed plan builds on past successes while setting bold, forward-looking goals to drive our focus in the next decade.
Impact
Drive meaningful improvements across environmental, economic, and social contributions, positioning Divert NS as a national leader in sustainable diversion programs.
Our Team
Build a healthy and strong team environment through professional development, employee wellbeing, and a commitment to accessibility and support.
Partnerships
Cultivate strategic relationships with key partners to foster collaboration and enhance alignment on shared goals.
Organizational Resilience
Strengthen operational and financial frameworks to support continued success and longevity in a dynamic landscape.
Issue Leadership
Initiate the advancement of evidence-based research and dialogue on current issues facing the waste management industry.
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Power of numbers
$9.7M
in total funding to support municipal recycling and composting programs/facilities, fund regional educators and enforcement officers, and support other diversion programs for household hazardous waste, construction waste, and more.
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$455.8K
approved for new research projects that support entrepreneurs and encourage innovation in waste reduction.
$2.4M
to educate Nova Scotians and build ongoing support for environmental action.
Beverage Container Program
tHE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ACTION
Divert NS collects and recycles beverage containers through a network of 77 Enviro-Depots and mobile service locations throughout the province. This comprehensive system plays a vital role in advancing a circular economy, promoting a cleaner environment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the province.
571M
containers on which deposits were received
(565 million in F2024)
443M
containers returned for recycling
(434 million in F2024)
492 Tonnes
CO2 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by compacting beverage containers for collection
77.6%
recovery rate
(77% in F2024)
Johnny MacLeod, Subway Bottle Exchange in Truro, Nova Scotia
Used Tire Management Program
The power of circular solutions
Divert NS’ Used Tire Management Program is a cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s waste diversion strategy, diverting over one million tires from landfills annually. Through partnerships with tire retailers and processors, the program ensures that tires are repurposed into valuable commodities.
1.6M
passenger tire equivalents sold
(1.5 million in F2024)
1.4M
passenger tire equivalents collected
(1.27 million in F2024)
87.3%
recovery rate
(84.7 % in F2024)
9.7K
bicycle tires and tubes collected
(4,900 in F2024)
Municipal & Regional Diversion Programs
tHE POWER OF WORKING TOGETHER
Divert NS is proud to support waste diversion efforts across Nova Scotia through targeted funding that strengthens local recycling, composting, and other diversion programs. These investments are critical to advancing our provincial goals, fostering innovation, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to reduce waste and protect our environment.
$6.6M
in diversion credit funding for local recycling, composting, and other diversion programs
$1.05M
for Municipal Approved Program (MAP)
$346K
for Regional Chairs and Coordinators to collaborate on waste management programs and activites
$210K
for household hazardous waste collection
Halifax C & D Recycling / Municipal Group of Companies staff
Funding Innovation
The power of INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
This year, Divert NS contributed $455,820 to many innovative waste-resource management initiatives through our various funding programs, including research and development, value-added manufacturing, and municipal adoption grants.
$54.2K
for Municipal Adoption Grants
$397.2K
for Research & Development (R&D)
$4.3K
for Value-Added Manufacturing (VAM)
Dr. Greg Wanger, Founder and CEO, Oberland Agriscience
Education & Awareness
The power of environmental literacy
Divert NS delivers comprehensive education and awareness programs across Nova Scotia designed to inspire and empower residents to reduce waste, reuse materials, recycle responsibly, and compost effectively. Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a culture of environmental stewardship that supports sustainable living and helps protect our province’s natural resources for future generations.
$180K
to support Clean Foundation, including the Clean Leadership Interns
$770K
distributed towards regional education contracts
$65.5K
to support DIRECTIONS Council Member Associations
$22.5K
awarded in scholarships
$21K
to support 4-H Nova Scotia’s Public Speaking competition
Jenny LaPierre (left), Waste Services Coordinator, and Naomi Davison (right), Waste Analyst (Intern), West Hants Regional Municipality
Enforcement
The power of cHANGING BEHAVIOUR
Divert NS provided $700,000 in funding to the seven solid waste management regions for enforcement activities.
1.5K
illegal dumps sites reported
5.7K
inspection & audits, and proactive compliance visits
664
offence tickets issued
37
court convictions
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY
THE POWER OF PEOPLE
At Divert NS, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) are foundational to how we engage with communities, design programs, and foster innovation. Over the past year, we’ve deepened our commitment through impactful initiatives, partnerships, staff and board education, and worked to embed EDIA principles across every aspect of our work—creating a more environmentally responsible future for Nova Scotia.
Sayedali Mousavi, recipient of Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2024 ISANS Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards
Advancing EDIA through Staff and Board Training
Over the past year, Divert NS staff and board members engaged in a series of EDIA training sessions aimed at fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. One of the cornerstone sessions, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, guided staff through the importance of diverse teams, inclusive workspaces, and recognizing and addressing unconscious bias. In recognition of African Heritage Month, staff also viewed Canada’s Forgotten Pioneers, a video that highlights the enduring contributions of African Nova Scotians to Canadian history, deepening cultural awareness and appreciation within the organization.
Further strengthening our commitment to inclusion, staff participated in the Kairos Blanket Exercise Workshop, a powerful experiential learning session grounded in Indigenous methodologies. This workshop explored the shared history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, including treaty-making, colonization, and resistance. Additionally, our board members took part in the Disability Confidence for Leaders session designed to equip leadership with practical strategies to promote accessibility and foster a workplace environment where all employees feel supported and valued.
Partnering with ISANS TO EMPOWER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
Divert NS, in partnership with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), launched an initiative to help immigrant entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia integrate sustainable practices into their businesses. Recognizing the challenges small businesses face in adopting environmentally friendly operations, the program provided financial support and resources to reduce single-use plastics, enhance recycling efforts, and minimize various types of waste. This initiative not only empowered entrepreneurs to operate more sustainably but also reinforced ISANS’ commitment to fostering environmentally conscious business practices within the immigrant community.
Divert NS provided $50,000 to ISANS to deliver the program through two intakes in November 2024 and January 2025. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 52 applications submitted by immigrant-owned businesses across the province. After a thorough selection process guided by a structured scoring matrix from Divert NS, 30 businesses were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Of these, 26 businesses are in the Halifax Regional Municipality, while four operate in rural Nova Scotia. Additionally, Divert NS offered a $1,000 sponsorship of the ISANS Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards as the award category sponsor of “Sustainable Business of the Year.”
These initiatives demonstrate the tangible benefits of investing in immigrant entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. By providing direct support to business owners, ISANS and Divert NS helped create practical, lasting changes in waste reduction and resource efficiency. More importantly, this project underscored the role of diversity in building resilient, forward-thinking communities. The success of this initiative highlights how strategic funding, and collaboration can drive both economic and environmental progress, paving the way for a greener, more inclusive future for Nova Scotia.
The exhibit includes hands-on activities such as a new digital game where visitors are put in the role of a student leader at a local high school, tasked with reducing the school’s ocean-bound plastic and textile waste.
Revitalizing the Discovery Centre’s Ocean Action Zone Experience
In early 2025, Divert NS unveiled a refreshed version of the Ocean Action Zone located in the Discovery Centre’s Murphy Ocean Gallery. Originally launched in 2021 for elementary and middle school students, the exhibit was redesigned to engage junior high students and incorporate improved accessibility features and interactive elements.
Divert NS worked closely with the Discovery Centre to enhance the Ocean Action Zone with a strong emphasis on accessibility. This included updating physical elements such as font size, contrast between text and background, and the height and angle of interactive displays to meet established accessibility standards. These improvements ensure that visitors of all abilities can fully engage with and benefit from the exhibit experience.
Visitors can also now engage with a digital game that simulates the role of a student leader working to reduce school waste, exploring authentic shoreline litter to trace its path to the ocean, and discovering stories of local environmental heroes through an inclusive video series. The videos and interactive elements have been thoughtfully designed to represent a diverse range of ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, and communities across both urban and rural Nova Scotia. To further enhance accessibility, all videos now include subtitles.
The refreshed exhibit continues to highlight the Tower of Trash, featuring new items and showcasing the impactful work of shoreline cleaner and Mobius Hall of Fame winner, Karen Jenner. This revitalization underscores Divert NS’ commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among youth and the broader community.
WE HAVE THE POWER
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WE HAVE THE POWER •
Catalysts for Change
THE POWER OF change-makers
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Celebrating the 2024 Mobius Awards of Environmental Excellence Winners
On November 13, 2024, Divert NS hosted the 24th annual Mobius Awards of Environmental Excellence Gala at the Halifax Convention Centre, bringing together over 150 leaders from across Nova Scotia’s environmental sector. This prestigious event recognized and celebrated the achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and waste reduction.
The evening featured emcee Jeff Douglas of CBC’s Mainstreet and a keynote address by Dr. Jiaying Zhao, a leading behavioral researcher at the University of British Columbia and Canada Research Chair in Behavioral Sustainability. Dr. Zhao’s insights into behavioral science and sustainability inspired attendees and highlighted the importance of understanding human behavior in driving environmental change.
The Mobius Awards Gala not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of Nova Scotians sustainability champions but also served as a platform for fostering collaboration and inspiring continued innovation in environmental stewardship across Nova Scotia.
Pictured above (from left to right): Rashmi Prakash (Aruna Revolution), Eric Ferraro (Benjamin Bridge), Andrew Marshall (North Shore Ballast & Concrete Works), Justin Green (Feed Nova Scotia), Bev Connell and Chris Van der Reit (Halifax C&D Recycling), and Kari Riddell (Clean Foundation)
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Youth Leadership in Action: 2024 Champions of the Environment
In 2024, Divert NS proudly awarded the Champion of the Environment Scholarship to eight exceptional Grade 12 students from across Nova Scotia. These scholarship recipients—each honored with a $2,500 award—demonstrated outstanding dedication to environmental stewardship through their community initiatives, leadership roles, and academic achievements.
Each recipient’s award-winning essay, reflecting their passion and commitment to environmental issues, was published on the Divert NS website, showcasing the diverse perspectives and innovative ideas of Nova Scotia’s youth. These scholarships not only support their post-secondary education but also encourage the continued growth of environmental leadership across the province.
Pictured above: Sara El Amouri, 2024 French Scholarship Recipient
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Investing in Education: NSCC Bursary Winner
For the third consecutive year, Divert NS has proudly sponsored the NSCC Foundation’s “Sponsor-a-Student” bursary program and we are happy to announce Sarah Ingraham (pictured above) as this year’s winner. Sarah is completing her second year of the Environmental Engineering Technology Diploma Program at the NSCC Ivany Campus in Dartmouth.
As a recipient of the award, Sarah will complete a paid co-op term in Spring 2025 with Divert NS and receive a $2,500 bursary. During the work placement, Sarah will help develop support material for Divert NS educational resources, facilitate Divert NS’ spring litter cleanup, and assist with the administration of a beverage container bin pilot and the litter prevention funding program. Sarah will participate in waste facility tours, meetings, and training to facilitate the completion of work duties.
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Empowering Youth Through the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program
In 2024, Divert NS continued its commitment to fostering the next generation of environmental leaders by partnering with the Clean Foundation to support their Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program. This initiative provides paid employment opportunities for youth aged 15–30, offering them hands-on experience in Nova Scotia’s growing clean economy. Divert NS funded 11 internship positions within the waste management sector, enabling young individuals to engage in meaningful projects that promote sustainability and waste reduction across the province.
Interns were placed with various host organizations, including Waste Check in Yarmouth, Cape Breton University, and the Municipality of the County of Inverness. Their roles encompassed tasks such as community outreach, waste audits, and research on biochar production from food waste. These experiences not only provided valuable skills and professional development but also inspired many interns to pursue further education and careers in environmental fields.
Pictured above (from left to right): Ishamar Senior Gentles, Environmental and Education Officer, and Alejandro Quezada, Municipality of Colchester.
Inspiring the Next Generation: 4-H Public Speaking Competition
Divert NS has continued its partnership with 4-H Nova Scotia, supporting both a Divert NS category within the 4-H Speaking Competition and sponsoring the 4-H Recycling Competition. This year, the Divert NS speaking competition stream was open to 4-H NS senior members (ages 16-21). Senior members had the option to deliver a speech on one of five Divert NS approved topics that combined agricultural and environmental themes to align within the 4-H Environment and Healthy Living Leadership pillar. In total, 10 members chose Divert NS topics and competed at their club, county, and regional levels.
In May 2024, Divert NS staff and board members attended the 4-H Provincial Rally to judge the Divert NS Senior Speaking Competition. Cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100 were awarded to the first, second, and third place speakers in the Divert NS category. Sara Henderson (pictured to the left) from the Eastern Region placed first with her speech titled “Defusing the Bomb” on the topic of the connection between waste and climate change and how individuals can take action by reducing waste to address climate change. Carlie Ashton (Central Region) and Grace Coe (South West Region) placed second and third respectively.
Our heartfelt thanks go to 4-H Nova Scotia for making this event a success and your dedication to developing responsible, young Canadians.
Stories of Stewardship
The Power of Community
Revitalizing Beverage Container Recycling
In 2024, Divert NS set a goal to increase waste diversion in Nova Scotia through the revitalization of beverage container recycling awareness and education. With data showing a slight decline in Nova Scotia’s beverage container return rates in recent years, Divert NS launched a bold new campaign that repositions recycling as both a personal responsibility and a heroic act, while reinforcing Enviro-Depots as the go-to destination for returns.
After a period of market research in which we learned that young people (18-35) and new Nova Scotians needed to be important sub-targets of this awareness effort, Divert NS launched “the Power is in Your Hands” campaign in August 2024. This campaign ran across digital, social, radio, and TV channels, supported by targeted outreach such as creative placements at Access Nova Scotia locations and university campuses, and in-gym digital screens. The campaign also focused on reaching young adults, particularly through platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat.
Early results have been promising: awareness of Divert NS rose by 27%, awareness of our key activities increased by 127%, and the frequency of reported recycling at Enviro-Depots grew by 28%. Beverage container collections also rose by 2% or 9 million containers in the fiscal year. Encouraged by this success, we will be extending the campaign into Fiscal 2026 to continue driving impact and build on this momentum.
Awareness of Divert NS increased by 27%
The frequency of reported recycling at Enviro-Depots increased by 28%
Primary and secondary schools in Nova Scotia earned nearly $15,000 in refunds and prizes for organizing a bottle drive in their community.
Community Heroes: Engaging Youth Through Bottle Drive Contest
In fiscal 2025, Divert NS launched the first annual Community Heroes Bottle Drive Contest to engage Nova Scotia’s youth in environmental stewardship through community-led recycling initiatives. The contest encouraged students and schools to organize bottle drives in their communities, promoting responsible recycling while raising funds for their institutions. The response was remarkable, with participants collecting and returning a total of 187,103 beverage containers, which amounted to nearly $15,000 in refunds and prizes to eight schools throughout the province.
This initiative not only supported schools financially but also reinforced the importance of environmental responsibility among the youth of Nova Scotia. By partnering with locally owned Enviro-Depots, the program ensured that collected containers were responsibly recycled, contributing to the province’s circular economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pictured: Oceanview Christian Academy, South Shore-West Hants Regional Winner
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Advancing Solutions: The “Climate Change: No Time to Waste” Summit
On March 20–21, 2025, Divert NS hosted the “Climate Change: No Time to Waste” summit, a follow-up to the 2024 “Waste and the Climate: A Strategic Conversation” summit. This event aimed to deepen the dialogue between the waste and climate sectors, providing practical tools and strategies to bridge the gap between these two critical areas.
Over 70 participants—from municipalities, government, academia, and industry—gathered to learn from experts in landfill emissions, disaster waste management, and circular economy strategies. The summit also featured facilitated sessions to identify local and provincial priorities, helping drive meaningful progress at the intersection of waste and climate policy.
Pictured above: Athar Omidi, FluxLab
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Leading the Way: 2024 Enviro-Depot™ of the Year Recipients
Each year, Divert NS recognizes Enviro-Depots™ across Nova Scotia that exemplify excellence in customer service, employee recognition, community engagement, and participation in Divert NS initiatives. The awards are presented in two categories: Large Enviro-Depot of the Year, which was awarded to W. O’Leary’s Recycling Depot, Garland’s Crossing near Windsor, and Small Enviro-Depot™ of the Year, which was given to Carleton Road Bottle Exchange, Lawrencetown in the Annapolis Valley.
These awards highlight the dedication and hard work of Nova Scotia's Enviro-Depots™ in promoting sustainability, the circular economy, and community involvement. Divert NS is proud to celebrate their achievements and looks forward to continuing to support these vital civic enterprises in the years to come.
Pictured above (from left to right): Stacy Breau, CEO (Divert NS), Greg O'Leary, recipient of the 2024 Large Enviro-Depot™ of the Year Award, and Dale Lyon, Director of Operations (Divert NS)
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Waste Reduction Week: Preserving Our Shared Future
For over 20 years, Divert NS has been celebrating Waste Reduction Week, which takes place in October during Circular Economy Month. This initiative encourages Nova Scotians to extend the life of products and materials through swapping, sharing, thrifting, and repairing, thereby reducing waste sent to landfills and promoting a circular economy.
Divert NS’ theme for this year’s Waste Reduction Week was “Preserving Our Shared Future,” which highlighted how exchanging knowledge and resources plays a vital role in protecting our environment and preserving it for future generations. Whether it’s sharing clothing, tools, household goods, or traditional skills, these acts support waste reduction and foster strong community connections
Pictured above: “Textile Tune Up” Waste Reduction Week event held by Valley Waste Resource Management at the Kentville Library.
Stories of innovation
THE POWER OF Invention
Diverting up to 1,300 metric tonnes of marine rope annually from landfills by transforming it into recyclable products.
Advancing Marine Plastic Solutions: Supporting the Ocean Legacy Initiative
Divert NS is proud to support a groundbreaking initiative led by the Ocean Legacy Foundation to establish marine plastic processing capacity in Nova Scotia—the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. As part of a broader five-year national effort, this pilot project aims to process marine polyethylene and polypropylene rope waste by shredding and eventually pelletizing the material for reuse in local manufacturing.
With a contribution of $141,631, Divert NS is funding key components such as labour, equipment maintenance, and transportation of marine rope. The project is being delivered in partnership with local processors who will shred marine rope collected from coastal depots and industry partners. The shredded material will then be used by local manufacturers to develop new plastic products showcasing the potential of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.
By diverting up to 1,300 metric tonnes of marine rope annually from landfills and transforming it into durable, recyclable products, this initiative contributes meaningfully to a circular economy. It also drives innovation, fosters green job creation, and helps build local expertise in sustainable manufacturing. Divert NS’ investment plays a crucial role in advancing this pioneering solution to marine plastic pollution in the Maritimes.
Reducing Waste, Enhancing Data: The Colibri Software Mobile App Pilot
Divert NS is proud to support Less Waste, More Data—an innovative digital project led by Colibri Software that reduces waste and promotes reuse in the Annapolis Valley. With a contribution of $45,098, Divert NS helped fund the development of a mobile app designed to connect residents with usable items discarded at the curb during municipal cleanups, thereby encouraging reuse and reducing the volume of bulky waste sent to landfill.
Leveraging Colibri’s existing community mapping platform, the app provides a searchable map of available reusable items and is designed to lower barriers to participation, offering a more accessible alternative to traditional resale platforms. In addition to fostering a culture of reuse, the tool will generate valuable data on disposal and recovery, which municipalities can use to shape policies and refine public education initiatives.
The pilot was rolled out in collaboration with Valley Waste-Resource Management during the Fall 2024 cleanup. The app has the potential for province-wide adoption and several stakeholders have expressed interest in future collaboration.
Giving Materials a Second Life: New Reuse Centre in Yarmouth County
In partnership with Waste Check and local municipalities, Divert NS has supported the development of a new on-site reuse centre at the Yarmouth County Solid Waste Park—the first in the region and only the third of its kind in Nova Scotia. The initiative addresses a strong community interest in reducing waste and promoting a culture of reuse over disposal. The centre will be built using three retrofitted shipping containers that provide safe, secure, and organized space to divert usable materials from landfill and make them accessible to the public.
The project aims to initially divert two to three metric tonnes of waste per month, scaling to approximately 50 metric tonnes annually by its third year. It will also collect valuable data on the types and volumes of reusable materials discarded prematurely, helping to inform future waste management policies and education initiatives. During construction of the reuse centre, 2,500 metric tonnes of chipped shingles will be repurposed, further contributing to the circular economy.
Beyond waste diversion, the reuse centre will benefit local charities and community organizations by facilitating access to needed items for residents, including newcomers. It reflects a strong regional collaboration and sets precedent for similar initiatives across the province, directly supporting Nova Scotia’s goal of reducing disposal rates.
Pictured (from left to right): Jason George, Glendon Ring, and Gus Green of the Yarmouth Reuse Centre
The project aims to initially divert 2–3 metric tonnes of waste per month, scaling to approximately 50 metric tonnes annually by its third year.
OVERSIGHT OF EPR FOR PPP
THE POWER OF PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
94% of registered producers submitted their initial supply report
Release 2 of the EPR Portal/Registry completed in July 2024
Fee Setting Policy approved in May 2024
In fiscal 2025, Divert NS advanced its role as the Administrator of Nova Scotia’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging, Paper Products, and Packaging-Like Products (PPP) Regulations. To effectively manage the EPR program, Divert NS established a dedicated EPR division led by an Executive Director, and supported by a Manager of EPR Compliance and two Compliance Officers. Utilizing a shared services model, the division leverages resources from Human Resources, Finance, IT, and Communications to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Fee Consultation
The EPR for PPP Regulations authorize the Administrator to recover its costs for oversight. A key focus for the EPR Oversight Division was developing a transparent and equitable methodology for cost recovery. This process included hosting a Fee Consultation Webinar in March 2025, to inform producers about the proposed fee structure and rates. An online feedback survey was distributed, allowing producers to provide input until May 2025. A Consultation Summary Report and final fee rates will be published on the Divert NS website in July 2025.
Program Implementation
The transition to EPR progressed with Circular Materials, the sole Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) registered in Nova Scotia, submitting a comprehensive Readiness Report in October 2024. This report outlined their strategy for implementing an industry-led recycling program, covering areas such as collection, material management, and public education. Divert NS acknowledged the report in November 2024 and has been monitoring Circular Materials’ progress as they negotiate collection service agreements with municipalities, develop a registry for participating facilities, and draft a promotion and education plan. The implementation date for the program is December 1, 2025.
Supply Reporting
In F2025, Divert NS developed resources to support producers with submitting their initial supply report on October 1. Producers, or the PRO on their behalf, submitted the total weight of designated materials supplied to Nova Scotia consumers in five categories, including: paper, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, glass and metal.
By March 31, 2025, 94% of registered producers had submitted their supply reports, accounting for almost 53 million kilograms of designated material. These reports, submitted annually, help create a level playing field for all producers and inform future policy decisions.
The Financials
2024-25 Revenue & Expenditures
Below is the financial overview report of the organization as at March 31, 2025.
Divert NS Revenue
$75,138,705 Total Revenues
Deposits
$55,744,532
Sales of Recyclable Materials
$10,314,334
Tire Program
$6,201,757
EPR oversight
$1,017,913
Rental, Investment & Other Income
$1,860,169
$75.1M
Total Operational & Program Expenditures
$74,056,119 Total Expenditures
Operating Costs
$57,651,072
Program Expenditures
$11,279,407
Other Expenditures & Funding
$1,987,598
Administration
$2,120,129
EPR oversight
$1,017,913
$74M
Program Expenditures Details
$11,279,407 Total Expenditures
Municipal Funding
$9,702,321
Nova Scotia Environment
$1,577,086