Ontario approves HHW Stewardship Program

Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen has approved a new program that aims to double the amount of household hazardous waste (HHW) and special waste that Ontario diverts from landfills and the environment over the next five years.

Phase One of the program will begin on July 1, 2008. and includes paints and stains, paint thinners, strippers and other solvents, oil filters, lubricating oil containers, non-rechargeable batteries, engine coolant, pressurized containers such as propane tanks, fertilizers and pesticides.

The program will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to return these wastes for proper management. For rural and northern Ontarians where service often does not currently exist, this will mean the introduction of new collection events. For urban Ontarians with some level of existing service, this will mean extending depot hours and increasing the number of collection events.

Phase Two of the plan will soon be under development, and will include portable fire extinguishers, fluorescent lights, rechargeable batteries, pharmaceuticals, syringes and thermostats and other measuring devices containing mercury. To view Phase One of the plan, click on the icon for MHSW at www.stewardshipontario.ca

(Source: February 2008 WasteWatch)

Ontario industry to pay full cost of MSHW

Ontario's environment minister has released the program request letter for Phases 2 and 3 of the province's stewardship program for municipal special hazardous waste (MSHW). Covered materials include mercury-containing items such as fluorescent lamps, switches and measuring devices, aerosol containers, fire extinguishers, pharmaceuticals and sharps.
Most significantly, the minister has directed stewards to pick up the full cost of the program including collection of materials.

Under an agreement -- referred to as a "functional split" -- between Stewardship Ontario and Ontario municipalities, the costs of collecting HHW at municipal depots is currently borne by municipalities, while the industry "stewards" are responsible for covering post-collection transportation and processing costs.

The minister has effectively abrogated that agreement, calling for an amendment to the original Phase 1 MHSW plan that would see stewards responsible for all MHSW program costs. This new policy direction from the Ontario Government comes in anticipation of the statutory review of the Waste Diversion Act.

(Source: Solid Waste & Recycling in August 2008 WasteWatch)

Ontario 2009

2009 may become known as the year of hazardous waste management in Ontario. Not only will the amount of materials collected be expanded, but also generators and sellers will be more responsible for management and costs.

The Minister of the Environment has requested that Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) develop the next phase of the municipal hazardous and special waste (MHSW) program to include:

• non-tradition materials (i.e., commercial (small quantity) hazardous waste and automotive hazardous or special wastes);
• return-to-vendor initiatives and eventual full stewardship of specific hazardous or special wastes,
• expanding the list of acceptable materials and disposal opportunities.

Currently, Phase 1 does have some return-to-vendor options for automotive-based products such as anti-freeze and oil filters, but most collection is done by existing municipally-operated MHSW diversion facilities and special event days. Municipal costs are not included in this phase. Unlike other provinces, Ontario's program does not include used oil. It does include used oil filters and oil containers.

Phase 2 and 3 and amended Phase 1 parts of the plan will result in all end of life management costs (collection, transportation, disposal and/or recycling) borne by product stewards.

When this plan is fully developed and implemented the intentions are:

• improved access for residents to hazardous waste drop off facilities
• expanded collection programs for small quantity generators
• 100% steward responsibility of all aspects of managing these wastes.

Collection of materials may incorporate return-to-retail for some materials, expanded collection programs for small quantity generators and potentially less reliance on municipally operated HHW programs. Effective promotion and education will be key to ensure the success of this program.

WDO is presently working on the plans for the Phase 2 and 3 parts of the program and amending Phase 1. Originally, the plan was to be submitted in March 2009, but an extension has been requested for the plan development. Once approved by the Minister, it is anticipated that implementation should be underway hopefully by the end of this year.

For information on the MHSW program go to Stewardship Ontario's website.

(Source: Feb. 2009 WasteWatch)

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