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News Release
December 12, 2006
CLEANING OUT THE GARAGE:
PROVINCE DIRECTS INDUSTRY TO HELP DISPOSE OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS
WASTE
TORONTO - If you’re like many Ontarians,
you probably have leftover paint and chemicals taking up space in
your garage or basement. In the near future, thanks to financial
support from the makers of these and other products, disposing of
them will be safer, simpler and more convenient, says Environment
Minister Laurel Broten.
“Paint, batteries and other common household products can be harmful
to our environment and public health if not disposed of properly,”
Broten said. “We need the makers of these products to help divert
these materials away from landfills and into recycling programs
or proper disposal.”
To that end, Minister Broten has directed Waste Diversion Ontario,
the industry-funded organization responsible for Ontario’s successful
Blue Box program, to develop and fund a diversion program for hazardous
and special wastes from homes and small businesses.
Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) has been asked to look at financial
or other incentives to reuse and recycle hazardous materials, and
to increase the number of collection sites, especially in areas
that currently do not have access to depots. The organization is
also to promote best practices and encourage innovative diversion
techniques, and to develop an education program.
Materials will be added to the program in three phases beginning
with paints, solvents, pesticides, disposable batteries and used
oil filters and containers. WDO’s plan for phase one must be delivered
to the minister by May 31, 2007.
Future phases will include portable fire extinguishers, fluorescent
lights, pharmaceuticals, syringes and thermostats and other measuring
devices containing mercury.
Ontarians purchase tens of thousands of products containing common
household hazardous and special materials annually. Any unused product
– like leftover paint, cleaning solvents and half empty aerosol
cans – ends up as waste that needs to be managed in an environmentally
smart and safe way.
While the program is being finalized, Ontarians should continue
to dispose of all hazardous products at local community environment
days or collection depots. A listing of the types of hazardous materials
communities collect and collection locations can be found on most
municipal web sites.
“When it comes to protecting the health of our communities and
the environment, the first goal is to divert materials from landfill
through the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle,” Broten said. “However,
encouraging new approaches and technologies, and giving municipalities
and businesses the tools to divert more waste from disposal, are
also key to dealing with the waste Ontarians produce.”
This initiative is one more way the McGuinty government is helping
communities and industries find made-in-Ontario solutions for managing
waste and protecting the environment. Other initiatives include:
This initiative is one more way the McGuinty government is helping
communities and industries find made-in-Ontario solutions for managing
waste and protecting the environment. Other initiatives include:
- Introducing a deposit-refund program for beverage alcohol containers
- New rules to remove restrictions on recycling
- Working on new environmental assessment requirements to encourage
the building of recycling facilities and new composting facilities.
The public can view the Minister’s letter to Waste Diversion Ontario
outlining the requirements for a hazardous and special waste program
by visiting the ministry’s web site at
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/land/wda/mhsw.htm
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| Contact information for media: |
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John Steele, (416) 314-6666
Ministry of the Environment |
Anne O’Hagan, (416) 325-5809
Ministry of the Environment |
Contact information for the general public:
416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca |
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