The Manitoba government is committed to protecting public health and the environment. Manitoba generates over 900,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every year. If not disposed of properly, it can pollute the air, soil, and water. That is why effective waste management is so important, and is regulated under The Environment Act and the Waste Management Facilities Regulation.

The province oversees permitting and licensing of approximately 260 waste management facilities across Manitoba.

Waste Management Facilities include:

Landfill

"Landfill" means a facility at which solid waste is disposed of by placing it on or in land, but does not include a remote seasonal waste facility.

"Class 1 waste disposal ground" means a landfill that:

(a) receives more than 5,000 tonnes of solid waste in a year or 400 tonnes of solid waste in a 30-day period,

(b) receives solid waste from outside the province, or

(c) is operated by anyone other than a municipality or regional waste management

authority and

               (i) disposes of solid waste generated by the operator, or

               (ii) receives solid waste generated by others for commercial purposes;

"Class 2 waste disposal ground" means a landfill other than a Class 1 waste disposal ground or a Class 3 waste disposal ground.

"Class 3 waste disposal ground" means a landfill that was the subject of an operating permit for a Class 3 waste disposal ground under the former regulation that was in effect immediately before the coming into force of this regulation.

Transfer station

"Transfer station" means a facility at which solid waste is received and temporarily stored for the purpose of transporting it to another site for processing, recycling or disposal.

Commercial composting facility

"Commercial composting facility" means a facility at which composting is carried out for commercial purposes, but does not include composting that is carried out at an agricultural operation in accordance with the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation or any future amendment.

Material recovery facility

"Material recovery facility" means a facility where comingled recyclable materials are separated, processed or where source separated recyclable materials are processed for sale.

Remote seasonal facility

"Remote seasonal facility"  means a facility for the deposit of solid waste that (a) serves a population of less than 200; (b) is located in an area that does not have all-season road access; and (c) is operated for less than six months in a year.


Services and Information

Resources

The solid waste management guidelines explain how the department applies The Environment Act and Waste Management Facilities Regulation. These documents are intended to help people make decisions to remain in compliance with the rules governing waste management. Guidelines that are referenced in a Waste Management Facilities permit or Environment Act licence can be enforceable.

Please click the links below to access current guidelines related to waste management facilities:

The following standards outline minimum requirements for basic siting, design, operation, monitoring, planning, closure, and post closure activities.

Services

To serve Manitobans, we:

  • Issue permits and licences for waste management facilities under The Environment Act and the Waste Management Facilities Regulation
  • inspect and monitor all waste management facilities for their compliance with permits and licences to protect Manitobans and their environment
  • investigate complaints
Forms

An application form (set out by the Waste Management Facilities Regulation and The Environment Act) must be submitted, along with supporting documentation, to initiate our review process.

The forms can be filled out electronically, saved to your computer, and submitted by email to the following address:

Director
Environmental Approvals Branch
EABDirector@gov.mb.ca

To serve Manitobans, we:

  • Issue permits and licences for waste management facilities under The Environment Act and the Waste Management Facilities Regulation
  • inspect and monitor all waste management facilities for their compliance with permits and licences to protect Manitobans and their environment
  • investigate complaints
Contacts
Environmental Approvals Branch

For environmental approvals related queries, please contact Land Use, Waste Management, and Energy section.

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Branch

For complaints or enforcement-related queries, please contact regional environment officers.

Environmental Emergency Response Program

For environmental emergencies, please contact our 24-hour toll free emergency response line: 1-855-944-4888

Additional information on reporting environmental spills and accidents: Environmental Emergency Response Program.

Industry Contact

For landfill operator training programs, please contact:

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
Northern Lights Chapter
Box 3317, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T2
Ph: 780-496-5614 || Email: info@swananorthernlights.org
https://swananorthernlights.org/training/all-courses/

Training Courses

Effective July 1, 2019, all landfills require a certified operator. The Solid Waste Association of North America certifies Manitoba landfill operators.

Upcoming Training Courses

Click the link below for the latest information on training courses:

https://swananorthernlights.org/training/all-courses/

 

To inquire about registering for a course and exam, please contact:

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
Northern Lights Chapter
Box 3317, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T2
Ph: (780) 496-5614 || Fax: (866) 698-8203
Email: info@swananorthernlights.org
https://swananorthernlights.org/training/all-courses/