The
Fabric of a
Wasteless
Future

Expanding construction and demolition diversion

In 2025–26, diversion credits directly supported Valley Waste-Resource Management’s expansion and redesign of its construction and demolition storage yard in Kentville. The upgraded facility allows materials to be more effectively separated into marketable streams, improving diversion rates and operational efficiencies while supporting compliance with new regulations. The enhanced design also increases the region’s ability to respond to natural disasters by improving capacity and flexibility in managing debris.

Supporting organics collection

Diversion credits also play a critical role in sustaining essential programs such as curbside organics collection. In the Municipality of East Hants, steady population growth has led to increased volumes of organic material, with more than 70 additional tonnes collected annually compared to 2020. To meet this demand, the municipality continues to expand green carts, collection, processing, and program support. Diversion credit funding helps offset these rising costs and supports the continued success and long-term sustainability of this core diversion program.

“From special collections, to easily accessible bins after a fire/flood, offsetting sudden increases in fuel costs, paying local community groups to collect litter along highways, replacing outdoor garbage cans with waste sorting stations, labour to prepare green bins for recycling, pay to transport rope for recycling, drop-off locations for batteries, and ever increasing costs to safely manage household hazardous waste, these are just some of the ways diversion credits help municipalities protect the environment.”

– Christine H. McClare, Regional Coordinator, Region 6 Solid Waste Management, South Shore and West Hants Area

Investing in community litter prevention

Litter reduction is another key area where Divert NS drives community impact. In 2025–26, Divert NS provided $50,000 to province-wide initiatives such as Adopt-a-Highway and the Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up, helping mobilize volunteers for litter cleanups across the province. These efforts brought together 7,200 participants across 395 cleanups, covering 311 kilometres of roadway and 10.5 kilometres of shoreline. In total, participants collected more than 65,000 pounds of waste, including thousands of bags of garbage and recyclables, demonstrating the scale of impact that collective action can achieve.

Complementing these province-wide efforts, Divert NS also provided more than $23,000 through the Litter Intervention Fund to support seven municipal projects, enabling communities to implement targeted strategies that address litter in meaningful and visible ways.

In 2025–26, the Municipality of Pictou County applied this funding to a wildlife photography contest, which generated more than 150 submissions, with winning images featured on anti-littering signage installed across the region. The signs used compelling visuals of Nova Scotia’s wildlife and approachable messaging to capture attention and encourage behaviour change. In the Municipality of Barrington, funding supported the installation of accessible waste bins in a high-traffic area, paired with eye-catching signage designed to reduce littering.

“We’ve wanted more signage for a while now. Thanks to the funding we received from Divert NS, we can make a greater impact than before. We have one of the most beautiful counties in the world here, and we need to protect that.”

– Darla MacKeil, Litter Awareness Committee Chair and District 3 Councillor, Pictou County

Connecting leaders to advance circular solutions

While these projects demonstrate the power of local leadership, broader progress also depends on collaboration across sectors. In March 2026, Divert NS hosted a Circular Economy Summit in Dartmouth, bringing together municipal leaders, innovators, policymakers, and industry partners from across Nova Scotia and beyond. The event created space for meaningful dialogue, where participants examined practical ways to turn ideas into action, whether through circular procurement, reusable packaging, sustainable construction, or new approaches to managing materials like fishing gear. By connecting people across sectors and geographies, the summit empowered participants to apply what they learned in their own communities, helping accelerate circular solutions across the province.

Through initiatives like the Circular Economy Summit, Divert NS enables cooperation and supports the exchange of knowledge that helps advance solutions grounded in local needs. Paired with strategic funding and program support, this work is helping municipalities strengthen their systems and deliver measurable progress across Nova Scotia.

Investing in the next generation

These investments help create a strong pipeline from education to action. Through our partnership with Clean Foundation, we provided an additional $215,000 to the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program, giving 11 youth hands-on job experience in the solid waste sector, including conducting waste audits, organizing litter cleanups, and leading public education initiatives. These opportunities strengthen workforce development in the environmental field by equipping young Nova Scotians with the skills and experience needed to support a more circular, low-waste future.

“Divert NS’ support for Clean Leadership Summer Internships is helping create meaningful, hands-on work experience for youth across Nova Scotia in waste management and diversion. Through this collaboration, we are supporting waste management organizations with new talent and fresh ideas while helping train the future workforce for a cleaner, more sustainable Nova Scotia.”

– Zeynep Oncu, Manager, Workforce Development, Clean Foundation

Scholarships for environmental leaders

Recognizing the next generation of environmental leaders is also key to advancing waste literacy. This year, Divert NS awarded $25,500 in Champion of the Environment scholarships to 15 students across Nova Scotia who are already making a difference in their communities. Among this year’s recipients is Kai Retter, who demonstrated their environmental passion through a wide range of initiatives.

Kai was selected for this award based on their strong record of environmental leadership and community engagement, including participation in the Youth Challenge International Climate Action Catalysts program, where they hosted three workshops focused on turning climate grief into action, and the development of a website connecting youth with environmental volunteering opportunities, recognized in the 2024 Nova Scotia Annual Climate Change Plan Progress Report. Kai also contributed as a volunteer with the Ecology Action Centre’s Wilderness Issues Committee, completing an 80-hour co-op placement that included research, leading a Wetland Appreciation Week social media campaign, and supporting the 2024 People’s Parade of Life on Earth. Within their school, Kai led the Environmental Club, organizing clothing swaps, coordinating guest speakers, and planning Citadel Earth Week events. Their efforts were recognized with the 2024 Bubby Mooers Award, and they now serve on the Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council, advancing climate action at the provincial level. Through leadership and community engagement, Kai is already driving change and plans to continue this work while pursuing studies in Biochemistry and Microbiology at Dalhousie University.

Ocean Action Camp with the Discovery Centre

Hands-on learning opportunities further bring waste literacy to life. In 2025–26, Divert NS supported the inaugural Ocean Action Camp in partnership with the Discovery Centre, engaging 40 youth in Halifax and Truro. Through interactive activities, shoreline cleanups, and science-based exploration of topics such as microplastics and ocean health, participants gained a deeper understanding of the connection between waste and the marine environment. Guest speakers from municipalities and environmental organizations shared real-world perspectives and inspired youth to get involved in their own communities.

This program builds on our ongoing partnership with the Discovery Centre, including the Ocean Action Zone exhibit and refreshed curriculum-based programming for Grades 7 and 8. These initiatives provide accessible, engaging opportunities for youth to explore sustainability through hands-on learning and real-world connections.

“The 2025 Divert NS Ocean Action Camps gave nearly 40 young Nova Scotians the opportunity to explore ocean science, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship through real, hands-on experiences. From squid dissections with our staff scientists to beach clean-ups at Point Pleasant Park, campers did not just learn about ocean conservation; they lived it. All the campers left with a deeper understanding of their role in protecting our ocean. We are extremely proud to partner with Divert NS to nurture our next generation of ocean stewards.”

– Helen Dolan, Director of Partnerships, Discovery Centre

Youth advocacy through 4-H speaking competition

Divert NS also supports youth in developing communication and advocacy skills through initiatives such as the 4-H Senior Public Speaking Competition. The competition includes a dedicated category for youth aged 16 to 21, where participants deliver speeches on environmental topics and showcase their passion for sustainability. The top three speakers in this category are recognized at the 4-H Provincial Rally, receiving cash prizes for their achievements.

In 2025, 12 students from across the province delivered compelling speeches on environmental issues, with top honours awarded to Gretchen Archibald of the Valley Region for her presentation on reducing single-use plastics. This competition encourages young Nova Scotians to think critically, share ideas with confidence, and take an active role in advancing environmental solutions.

Award-winning circular food solutions

Each year, Divert NS holds the Mobius Awards of Environmental Excellence, which celebrate individuals and organizations that are turning ideas into impact. In 2025, seven awards were presented, including Small Business of the Year to Upward Kitchen & Café in Halifax. A social enterprise rooted in sustainability and social impact, Upward Kitchen transforms surplus food into nutritious, chef-prepared meals for shelters and community organizations. In less than a year, they have served more than 225,000 meals, diverted thousands of kilograms of food from landfill, and built strong local partnerships. Their work demonstrates how circular solutions can address both environmental and social challenges.

Supporting newcomer business sustainability

Furthering this commitment to inclusive economic participation, Divert NS also partners with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia to support small businesses in adopting waste reduction practices. In 2025–26, $42,000 in funding was distributed through ISANS, directly supporting 31 businesses with grants to implement practical waste diversion solutions. These initiatives focused on reducing single-use materials, improving waste sorting, and repurposing waste materials. From introducing edible alternatives to single-use cups, to improving waste management practices in retail settings, to transforming discarded wood and furniture into new products, these projects show how targeted support can unlock innovation and build capacity within equity-seeking communities.

“When we arrived in Halifax just a few months ago, we came with hope, but also with uncertainty as a newcomer family of four. In my home country, I had my own carpentry workshop, and my dream was always to continue working with my hands and my skills. Receiving the support from ISANS and Divert NS has given us more than just financial help. It has given us the opportunity to rebuild that dream in a new country. Through this project, I can repair and repurpose furniture that would otherwise go to waste, giving it a second life while also contributing to a more sustainable community. This grant has allowed us to take our first steps, not only in starting a small business, but in building a future for our family. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and proud to be contributing to Halifax in a meaningful way.”

– Santiago Fernandez, Business Owner, SDF Integral Design

Turning wetsuits into new products

Community-based organizations are also driving innovative solutions with support from Divert NS. With $20,000 in funding, The Ark, a community organization dedicated to providing services to people with challenges, launched Atlantic Canada’s first wetsuit recycling program, addressing a material that can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. Wetsuits are repaired or repurposed into new products such as mats, bags, and accessories, while the remaining material is processed into reusable fill. In its first year, the program diverted more than 100 wetsuits and provided paid employment opportunities for participants involved in collection and processing.

“Our Wetsuit Recycling Program has provided a tremendous opportunity for employment to many of our participants. We have managed to divert hundreds of pounds of neoprene, which takes over 100 years to deteriorate, from the landfill, all of which is reused or repurposed. The Canada-wide response to our program has been very positive, as many people are realizing the importance of recycling this very difficult material.”

– Jon Wolstenholme, Production Coordinator, The Ark

Woodshop expansion for waste diversion

A similar intersection of environmental and social impact is evident at Sunset Community in Pugwash, a centre of learning and excellence for adults with disabilities. With an initial contribution of just over $45,000 in fiscal 2024–25, Divert NS supported the expansion of its woodshop, enabling the organization to divert more than 40 tonnes of wood waste annually and transform it into handcrafted products. Following this success, additional funding in 2025–26 supported new equipment to further process wood waste into premium kindling. Divert NS’ support of organizations like Sunset Community and The Ark not only extends the life of materials, it also creates meaningful employment opportunities and enables community-based solutions.