Environmental Programs

Environmental Services

Hazardous Waste Program

Introduction

Hazardous waste is generated in the normal course of operation of various industries. Wastes that are classified as hazardous present a greater danger to human health and the environment than other waste material as a result of their specific chemical, physical and biological properties. Examples of some common types of hazardous wastes are waste oil, waste oil filters, waste paint, waste solvents, waste lead acid batteries, waste pesticides, etc.

The Hazardous Waste Program administers the regulations pursuant to The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act that sets out requirements pertaining to the generation, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste. The hazardous waste legislation establishes a system of controlling hazardous waste from ‘cradle to grave’ (i.e. from the point at which it is generated to the point at which it is converted into a non-hazardous substance, recycled or otherwise disposed of safely). The management system for hazardous waste involves the registration of hazardous waste generators, and the licensing of hazardous waste carriers and hazardous waste receivers. The hazardous waste movement document/manifest (a special shipping document for hazardous waste that is completed by the generator, carrier and receiver of the waste) provides the means for tracking the movement of hazardous waste.