SAINT JOHN – A recycling and waste-reduction program run by the Crescent Valley Resource Centre is being expanded through $15,000 in support from the Environmental Trust Fund.

Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living Minister Trevor Holder joined officials from Crescent Valley in announcing the funding this morning.

Resource Centre president Anne Barrett says the money will help the program hire four people that will encourage residents to recycle and reduce waste.

Barrett says people in the neighbourhood need help.

“It was very difficult for a lot of the residents because there’s a lot young families,” Barrett says. “And you can imagine trying to carry bags of recycling to the blue bins, and a lot of them don’t have cars.

“And they don’t have a lot of room for their garbage in their homes.”

Some of the money will also be used to buy supplies like garbage cans and bags.