Canada Reports Drop in Imports of HazWaste Recycables

Figures released this month by Environment Canada show that last year imports into Canada of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable materials have declined. The decline is the third year in a row the agency has reported a decline in imports of the materials. For last year, a total of 423,000 metric tons of hazardous material was imported into a the country, a 15 percent drop from nearly 500,000 metric  tons in 2001 and significantly down from the 560,000 metric tons imported  in 2000.

“The Government of Canada has strict regulations on the transboundary movement and tracking of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,” said the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment. “We are working hard in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to ensure that this material is managed in an environmentally sound manner.”

The most notable decline in imports of hazardous wastes are the imports destined for landfill with no previous treatment. These imports totaled 65,000 metric tons in 2002, a 38 percent decline from 2001 levels (106,000 metric tons), and a 72% decline from 1999 levels, when they peaked at 235,000 metric tons.

As part of a larger effort to better control hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials, the Government of Canada will propose amendments to the Export and Import of Hazardous Wastes Regulations. The regulations will maintain current measures that protect human health and the environment. In addition, they will incorporate new authorities under CEPA 1999 such as environmentally sound management criteria and waste reduction plans. The proposed amendments are anticipated before the end of 2003