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
