The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has released a Hazardous Waste Regulation policy intentions paper. The paper proposes changes for the collection and transportation of household hazardous waste and similar wastes from institutional and commercial sources. These wastes are referred to using the new term “moderate risk wastes” and examples include waste automotive oil, oil-based paint, lead-acid batteries, lithium and lithium ion batteries, and unused gasoline.
The ministry is proposing the amendments to:
- Better support the diversion of moderate risk wastes from the municipal waste stream (for example, by better facilitating the diversion of these wastes from landfills)
- Develop requirements for storage and transport that are more achievable and practical while remaining protective of human health and the environment
- Harmonize requirements under the Hazardous Waste Regulation with the Recycling Regulation
The scope of the proposed amendments is limited to:
- Collecting and storing moderate risk wastes at return collection facilities (RCFs) (where generators of waste, such as members of the public, drop off their household hazardous waste) and
- Transporting these wastes from RCFs to downstream hazardous waste management facilities.
Regulatory requirements for downstream facilities, including facilities that dispose, treat, or process hazardous waste, are out of scope for the proposed amendments.
The Province is seeking feedback on the proposed amendments by July 30th, 2021. Interested local governments can complete a feedback form and email it to the Province. They can also register to attend the following webinars on the intentions paper:
- Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 11:00am – 12:00pm PST
- Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 1:30pm – 2:30pm PST