Imports and Exports of Hazardous Wastes Continue to Decline

OTTAWA, August 17, 2005 - Figures released today by Environment Canada demonstrate that in 2004, for the fifth year in a row, there has been a decline in the amount of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials imported into Canada. Hazardous waste exports also declined between 2003 and 2004.

The figures for 2004 indicate that imports of hazardous wastes destined for disposal declined by over 12,000 tonnes from 2003 quantities. During the same period, imports of hazardous recyclable materials destined for environmentally sound recovery or recycling operations increased by nearly 11,000 tonnes, or 5.8%. Most notable is the decline in the quantity of imported hazardous wastes destined for incineration and physical/chemical treatment in the province of Quebec.

Hazardous Waste And Hazardous Recyclable Material Exports & Imports - (Tonnes) 1999-2004 Click to enlarge

The Government of Quebec has placed more stringent controls on the registration of disposal facilities and their operating conditions, as well as implemented pre-treatment requirements for landfilling. As a consequence, in 2004 a number of facilities in Quebec have reduced their imports from other countries for disposal as they make modifications to their operations in order to meet the new standards and specifications.

The 2004 figures also show that Canadian exports of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials decreased by almost 13,000 tonnes since last year. This is a decrease of about 4% overall between 2003 and 2004, from 321,294 tonnes to 308,357 tonnes. The reductions in exports are due in part to a decrease in the amount of used acids and bases sent for regeneration or reuse, as well as a drop in the quantities of spent catalysts, solvents and metal containing materials sent for recovery or recycling operations in the U.S.

Each year, Environment Canada releases statistics on the export and import of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable to measure progress against waste reduction and environmental sound management of waste goals set by federal-provincial-territorial governments in 2000 and 2001. These hazardous wastes and recyclable materials can come from many different sources, including industrial waste, or from household products such as cleansers, used batteries, oil-based paints and leftover pesticides. Due to their makeup, these wastes can pose potential risks to both human health and the environment.

The disposal of the waste we produce, be it household non-hazardous garbage or hazardous industrial waste, needs to be done in an environmentally sound manner, so that human health and the environment are protected. Managing waste in an environmentally sound manner also makes economic sense. Because of Canada’s close geographic and economic relationship with the U.S., reducing the distance hazardous waste needs to travel for instance, can significantly reduce cost to industry and the risks associated with the time spent during transport.

Since 1992, the Government of Canada has had strict regulations on the transboundary movement and tracking of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials. In addition, the recently published Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations, which will come into force in November of this year, will further contribute to the protection of the environment and human health and will modernize the control regime.

Related Documents:

• Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Management in Canada 2004 Statistics on their Exports and Imports [Backgrounder]

For more information, please contact:

Sébastien Bois
Media Relations
Environment Canada
(819) 953-4016

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