Environmental Services

Hazardous Waste Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1.         What are hazardous wastes?

Many hazardous wastes are waste materials from the use of familiar products that households and businesses use every day. Hazardous waste can be waste paint, paint thinners, oil, batteries, and cleaning chemicals, among many others. With certain exceptions, hazardous waste may be described in general as ‘waste dangerous goods’. If a generator first checks whether the material is specifically listed as a dangerous good in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations or notices that the product has the dangerous goods safety marks [labels] on the packaging, the waste product is more than likely a hazardous waste.  Classification Criteria for Products, Substances and Organisms Regulation specifies the criteria for hazardous waste classification in Manitoba. 

2.         Is used oil a hazardous waste?

Yes.  Due to the presence of contaminants (such as lead) at regulated levels, waste crankcase oil is regulated as a hazardous waste and is classified in accordance with the criteria for an environmentally hazardous substance.

3.         Are used oil filters classified as hazardous waste?

Yes.  The same as for waste oil, waste oil filters are also considered to be hazardous waste and are classified in accordance with the criteria for an environmentally hazardous substance.  However, if the filters have been drained for 24 hours and crushed (to a minimum of 75% volume compaction), then the crushed filters are no longer considered to be hazardous waste in Manitoba.

4.         At what point is a company required to register as a hazardous waste generator?

In accordance with the Generator Registration and Carrier Licencing Regulation, a generator of hazardous waste must register with Manitoba Conservation when:

(a)        hazardous waste is generated at the premises in a quantity equal to or greater than the quantity specified in the Schedule to the Regulation (Table of Reportable Quantities) - the reportable quantity is generally 5L per month for liquid waste or 5 kg per month for solid waste but, depending on the dangerous goods classification of the waste, it varies from 1L or 1kg to 50L or 50kg, or

(b)        solid hazardous waste in a quantity of 5kg or more, or liquid hazardous waste in a quantity of 5L or more (or liquid or solid waste that contains more than 500g of PCB mixture) is to be removed from the premises where it was generated.

5.         How do I apply for a Manitoba generator number (MBG no.) for hazardous waste?

You must register as a hazardous waste generator by submitting a completed Hazardous Waste Registration Form to Manitoba Conservation.  A hazardous waste generator number (Provincial ID No.) will then be issued to the generating company.

6.         Do I have to register for a one-time generation of hazardous waste?

Yes, registration is required for a one-time generation of a regulated quantity of hazardous waste.

7.         If our company moves to a new location, can we continue to use the registration number that was issued for our former location?

No, the hazardous waste registration numbers are site specific (as well as company specific) and so a Hazardous Waste Registration Form must be completed for the new location in order for a hazardous waste registration number to be assigned to the new location. 

8.         Can a company use the same generator number if it generates and ships hazardous waste from more than one location in Manitoba?

No.  As noted above, the generator numbers are site specific and so a separate generator number is required for each location; hence, a Hazardous Waste Registration Form should be completed for each location.

9.         Is there a requirement to renew the hazardous waste generator registration on a regular frequency such as annually?

No, there is no such requirement.  However, when there are changes to the information that a hazardous waste generator has reported in the past then, in accordance with Sections 3(3) and 3(4) of the Generator Registration and Carrier Licencing Regulation, the waste generator must report the changes to Manitoba Conservation.  The same form that is used for the initial registration (Hazardous Waste Registration Form) is also used to update the existing registration information including the submission of supplementary information, such as reporting additional types of hazardous waste being generated. 

10.        Who should I contact to find out if my company has a Manitoba hazardous waste generator number?

You may contact Manitoba Conservation at 204-945-7086.  Please provide both the company name and the site location.

11.        Does Manitoba Conservation issue generator numbers to out-of-province companies that send hazardous waste to facilities in Manitoba?

No.  Manitoba accepts out-of-province generator numbers for hazardous waste shipments to Manitoba.  Out-of-province generators must obtain a generator number from the appropriate authority in their own province/territory. 

12.        What amount of hazardous waste is considered to be a regulated amount during transport?

In general, the regulated level is 5kg of solid hazardous waste or 5L of liquid hazardous waste or waste (liquid or solid) that contains 500g of PCB mixture.  There are, however, certain exemptions from the hazardous waste requirements.  For example, there is an exemption for the transportation of hazardous waste from the scene of an environmental accident provided that it is in compliance with the written or recorded instructions of an environment officer or inspector.

13.        How do I apply for a Manitoba carrier number (MBC no.) for hazardous waste?

You must submit an Application for a Licence to Transport Hazardous Waste to Manitoba Conservation in accordance with requirements in the Generator Registration and Carrier Licensing Regulation.  There is no fee for the hazardous waste transporter licence but specific supporting information and documents must accompany the application form.  When the licence is issued, a Manitoba carrier number will be provided to the licensee.

14.        Does Manitoba Conservation issue hazardous waste carrier numbers to out-of-province companies that transport hazardous waste in Manitoba?

The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act recognizes hazardous waste transporter licences issued by other provinces.  Hence, a Manitoba carrier number is not required if an out-of-province carrier is only transporting hazardous waste through Manitoba between other jurisdictions; in that case the carrier number, that is issued by the province wherein the carrier is based, is accepted in Manitoba.  However, the recommended procedure is that an out-of-province carrier should apply for a Manitoba carrier number (i.e. submit to Manitoba Conservation an application for a licence to transport hazardous waste) if the carrier intends to pick up hazardous waste from generators in Manitoba or transport hazardous waste to receivers in Manitoba. 

15.        How do I apply for a Manitoba receiver number (MBR no.) for hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste in Manitoba must be disposed of at a licensed facility or in a manner approved by Manitoba Conservation.  Any collection facility that receives hazardous waste from off-site must be licensed or approved in accordance with The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act.  The applicant must submit a completed Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act Application Form, along with supporting information, to Manitoba Conservation.  A receiver number is assigned to the facility when the licence is issued.

16.        What is a hazardous waste movement document/manifest?

The hazardous waste manifest, which is also known as the movement document, is a special shipping document for hazardous waste.  Each movement document/manifest has a unique reference number and is comprised of six copies.  This document is used for tracking the movement of hazardous waste from the generation site to the location where it is received for disposal.  The generator, carrier and receiver of the waste are each required to complete specific parts of the document.

17.        Where can I obtain the hazardous waste movement document/manifest?

In Manitoba, the hazardous waste movement document/manifest forms may be purchased from:

Statutory Publications Office
20 - 200 Vaughan Street
Winnipeg MB  R3C 1T5
Telephone: toll free in Manitoba: 1-800-321-1203
Telephone: in Winnipeg and outside Manitoba: 204-945-3101
Fax: 204-945-7172
E-mail: statpub@gov.mb.ca
Internet: www.gov.mb.ca/chc/statpub/

18.        What if the waste I generate does not meet the hazardous waste criteria in Manitoba, but cannot be disposed of via the sewer for liquids or landfill for solids because the contaminant exceeds limits in other legislation such as a municipal by-law or exceeds the limits in the licence for a disposal facility or is restricted by other disposal requirements?

This is a common occurrence as requirements become more stringent on waste disposal practices in order to protect municipal infrastructure and prevent contamination to sensitive environmental receptors, such as ground and surface waters.  In this case, the only available option (even though the waste might not be regulated as a hazardous waste in terms of Manitoba’s hazardous waste criteria) may be to arrange for the disposal of the waste by a hazardous waste management company that has an avenue for proper disposal.