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Environmental performance agreements results

Vinyl industry (2015 to 2020)

This five-year agreement was signed by Environment Canada, the Vinyl Council of Canada and participating companies with vinyl compounding facilities on March 17, 2015, and is in effect until March 16, 2020. A previous agreement was signed between Environment Canada, the Vinyl Council of Canada, the Tin Stabilizers Association, and participating vinyl compounding facilities in 2008.

Purpose of agreement

The purpose of this agreement is to prevent the release of tin stabilizers into the environment, through the full implementation of the Guideline for the Environmental Management of Tin Stabilizers in Canada by all vinyl compounding facilities using tin stabilizers in Canada. This Guideline was updated in 2015 by the Vinyl Council of Canada and tin stabilizer industrial users. The objective of the Guideline is to prevent the release of tin stabilizers into the environment by ensuring that these substances and their packaging materials are handled, stored, used and disposed of in a responsible manner.

Performance results

The deadline for companies to submit a reporting form (Appendix G of the Guideline) to Environment Canada is June 30 of each year. Results will be published once they are available.

Agreement results (2008)

This agreement is now completed. Over the lifetime of the agreement (from March 2008 to March 2013), each of the 33 participating facilities were subject to a site verification conducted by representatives from Environment Canada and the Vinyl Council of Canada. The site verifications confirmed that the 33 facilities using tin stabilizers have in place the procedures and practices recommended in the Guideline, and therefore have fully implemented the Guideline.

Refractory ceramic fibre industry (2013 to 2018)

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada and five companies from the refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) industry (Canadian Ferro Industries, Fibercast Inc., Pyrotek Industries Inc., Thermal Ceramics and Wolf Steel) was signed on March 18, 2013, and was in effect until March 18, 2018. Two previous agreements between Environment Canada and the manufacturers and processors of RCF were signed in 2002, and in 2006, with the objective to prevent and minimize emissions of RCF.

Purpose of agreement

This agreement maintains the maximum allowable fenceline concentration limits established in previous agreements for RCF in ambient air, maintains reporting requirements for RCF, promotes inspection and maintenance of pollution control equipment, and confirms the commitment of the RCF industry to maintain a Product Stewardship Program (PSP).

Performance results

Annual reports for the 2013 to 2016 reporting years were received from all participating companies. The following is a summary of how the companies met the targets established in the 2013 agreement, based on their submissions.

2013 to 2016 annual report summary:

Agreement results (2006)

This agreement is now completed. This second five-year agreement was signed on October 23, 2006, and expired on October 23, 2011. The 9 participating companies implemented a stewardship program, and all operating companies decreased or eliminated the use of RCF in some products, opting for non-toxic substitutes (e.g. soluble fibres).

Agreement results (2002)

This agreement is now completed. This first five-year agreement between Environment Canada and 6 companies from the RCF industry was signed on February 20, 2002, and was in effect until December 31, 2006. The monitoring conducted under this agreement showed that fenceline ambient levels of RCF were very low to undetectable, and that stack emissions of RCF had low fibre concentrations. Environment Canada and Health Canada confirmed that there is negligible health risk for the general public associated with RCF emissions from these plants, and that no further stack sampling was necessary. All parties decided that the product stewardship program would be a key focus of a new agreement that would include a greater number of participating companies.

Paper recycling companies

This four-year agreement between Environment Canada and 13 paper recycling companies was signed on March 5, 2013, and was in effect until March 5, 2017.  

Purpose

The purpose of the agreement is to initiate action by paper recycling mills to minimize the risk of environmental impacts from their effluent releases of Bisphenol A (BPA) to the greatest extent practicable. BPA is used in certain paper products where it acts as a colour developer as well as in certain varieties of ink. As a result, BPA is present as a contaminant in waste paper, i.e. recycled paper, and may be released in effluents by some paper recycling mills.

Performance results

During the second year of the agreement, 6 recycling mills were required to provide annual reports as they are working towards meeting the objectives of the agreement. Of those 6 recycling mills, 1 recycling mill deposits its final effluent into the environment (direct deposit mill) and 5 recycling mills deposit their effluent to municipally-owned wastewater systems (indirect deposit facilities).

Perfluorinated products industry

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada, Health Canada and 4 companies from the perfluorinated products industry (Arkema Canada Inc., Asahi Glass Company Ltd., Clariant Canada Inc., and E.I. DuPont Canada Company) was signed on March 30, 2010, and was in effect until December 31, 2015. The agreement was negotiated in support of industry’s commitment to significantly reduce residual perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and their precursors.

Purpose

This agreement is a key component of a comprehensive risk management strategy for PFCAs. The purpose of the agreement is to have participating companies:

Performance results

All of the 4 participating companies (Arkema Canada Inc, Asahi Glass Company Ltd., Clariant Canada Inc. and E.I. du Pont Canada Company) have reported reductions in the content of residual PFOA, long chain PFCAs and precursors, measured against their baseline years. The reductions that have been reported from baseline years range from 23.6-99.9%.

E.I. DuPont Canada Company

This agreement between Environment Canada and E.I. DuPont Canada Company, the sole Canadian manufacturer of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), an ozone-depleting substance, was signed on January 26, 2010. This performance agreement is an interim measure until the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations, 1998 are revised to ensure that Canada achieves its production phase-out obligations under the Montreal Protocol.  This agreement formalizes DuPont’s commitment to limit its production of HCFCs to no more than 15% of Canada's baseline production level.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of this agreement is to set environmental performance objectives for the production of HCFCs in Canada, which, at the time of signing are not covered by the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations.

Performance results

DuPont's production level of HCFCs in Canada is in line with the performance agreement objective, which is not to exceed 122.9 ozone-depleting potential tonnes. Canada is in compliance with its obligations under the Montreal Protocol for its production of HCFCs.

Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA)

This six-year agreement was signed by representatives from Environment Canada and Rio Tinto Alcan on May 22, 2008, and was in effect until December 31, 2014. It was drafted to formalize Rio Tinto Alcan's commitment to reduce air emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from its old Söderberg-type aluminum smelters by pursuing alternative practices or technologies. The Söderberg technology is the source of a significant portion of the industrial emissions of PAHs in Canada.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of this agreement was to set environmental performance objectives with respect to atmospheric emissions of PAHs from Rio Tinto Alcan's Söderberg plants in Kitimat, British Columbia, and Beauharnois and Shawinigan, Quebec. In addition, the agreement included a timeline for achieving the objectives and called for the development of a continuous improvement plan, annual reporting of progress made, and verification of the achievement of the objectives by an independent expert.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. Measures that were implemented by RTA in the context of this agreement resulted in reductions of PAHs atmospheric emissions of about 300 tonnes per year. When this agreement was signed in 2008, Söderberg aluminium production technology was the largest source of industrial emissions of PAHs in Canada. Since October 15, 2015, this technology is not being used anymore in Canada.

Alcoa Ltd.

This agreement between Environment Canada and Alcoa Ltd. was signed on May 22, 2008, and was in effect until December 31, 2009. It was negotiated to formalize Alcoa Ltd.'s commitment to reduce air emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from its old Söderberg-type aluminum smelter by pursuing alternative practices or technologies. The Söderberg technology is the main source of industrial emissions of PAHs in Canada.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of this agreement was to set environmental performance objectives with respect to atmospheric emissions of PAHs from Alcoa Ltd.'s Söderberg plant in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The agreement set out a timeline for achieving the objectives and calls for the development of a continuous improvement plan, annual reporting on progress made, and verification of the achievement of the objectives by an independent expert.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. The performance objective established for 2008 and described in the appendix to this agreement was achieved for the facility in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The company has chosen to continue with the performance verification process beyond the end of the agreement.

Railway Association of Canada (RAC)

This agreement between Transport Canada, Environment Canada and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), on behalf of its members, was signed on May 15, 2007 and was in effect until December 31, 2010.

Purpose of the memorandum of understanding

This memorandum of understanding established a framework through which the RAC, its member companies (Annex 1: RAC Member Companies), Environment Canada (EC), and Transport Canada would address emissions of criteria air contaminants and greenhouse gases from railway locomotives operated by railway companies in Canada.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. The annual reports on the locomotive emissions monitoring program may be consulted for more information. 

2-Butoxyethanol

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association and 13 participating paint and coatings companies was signed on January 24, 2007, and was in effect until January 24, 2012.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to ensure that any commercial paint and coatings for indoor use containing more 2-butoxyethanol than the limits set out in schedule 1 of the Regulations would not be sold to the general public.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. All of the participating companies submitted their annual reports to Environment Canada throughout the duration of the agreement. Two verification audits were performed to evaluate the level of participation from active signatories and to confirm that the objectives of the agreement were achieved. Results were mixed, with some companies fully meeting all of the objectives, and others achieving lower levels of conformity with the agreement. The 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations protect the health of Canadians by setting limits for the concentration of 2-butoxyethanol in products designed for indoor use. The concentration limits apply to products that are manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold in Canada.

Specialty Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA)

This four-year agreement between Environment Canada and the Specialty Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA) was signed on January 31, 2004, and was in effect until January 31, 2008.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to achieve verifiable reductions in the use, generation and release of specified priority substances used in the screen printing and digital imaging sectors, focusing on, but not limited to, volatile organic compounds.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. Four screen and digital printers (Ellis Studios Ltd., Middleton Group Inc., North American Decal and Simpson Screen Print Ltd.) were project participants. The participants reduced their combined emissions by over 50%, from 14.2 tonnes in 2000 to 6.8 tonnes in 2003. The target for 2008 was a 20% reduction from base-year emission levels. Four case studies were developed and are available on the SGIA website.

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA)

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada, Industry Canada, and the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association (APMA) was in effect from October 31, 2002, to December 31, 2007).

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to achieve verifiable reductions in the use, generation, and release of substances in the automotive parts sector, giving priority to pollution prevention. The agreement focused on sector-wide targets to reduce substances including volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases and smog precursors, metals, and other substances listed on Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Voluntary reductions were to be achieved by participating APMA member companies by implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and through developing and implementing facility-specific pollution prevention plans.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. The APMA and Environment Canada actively sought companies from this sector to participate in the agreement, through site visits, communications and information sharing. Five companies signed on to the agreement (Canadian General-Tower Ltd. Cambridge Operations, Dortec Industries - a Division of Magna Closures, Dana, Linamar Corporation and Martinrea International Inc.). An audit protocol was developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Plus 1165 protocol) for the APMA. No further results were reported to Environment Canada.

Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA)

This four-year agreement between Environment Canada, Health Canada, Industry Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Alberta Environment and the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA) was signed on November 10, 2001, and was in effect until December 31, 2005.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to reduce the release of chemical substances through voluntary, non-regulatory action under CCPA Responsible Care® by encouraging and publicly recognizing progress on the part of the CCPA and its member companies. The 2001 memorandum of understanding established, as an initial action, an annex on volatile organic compounds with measurable targets. It also included provisions to add additional commitments, annexes, and signatories to the agreement.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. The CCPA member companies reduced their volatile organic compounds emissions to 11 818 tonnes in 2002, meeting the 25% reduction target.

Dow Chemical Canada Inc.

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada and Dow Chemical Canada Inc. was signed on October 26, 2001 and was in effect until October 26, 2006. Dow Chemical was the only producer and a major user of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), manufacturing DCE in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and shipping it by rail to its West Coast Distribution Centre in North Vancouver, B.C. for export.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to implement a management strategy for DCE to minimize emissions at the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta production facility and the North Vancouver, British Columbia distribution facility.

Performance results

This agreement is now completed. Dow met all of the requirements specified in the agreement and reduced emissions of DCE from its facilities.

Algoma Steel Inc.

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Algoma Steel Inc. was signed in January 2001 and was in effect until December 2005.

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to reduce or eliminate specific substances and certain air emissions, improve the management of solid waste and contaminated sediments, and other objectives defined in the agreement.

Performance results

This agreement is complete, and the annual summary reports may be consulted for more information.

Dofasco Inc.

This five-year agreement between Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Dofasco Inc. was signed November 3, 1997, and was in effect until December 31, 2005. 

Purpose of the agreement

The purpose of the agreement was to protect and enhance the natural environment, prevent and abate releases to the environment from Dofasco’s facilities, and other objectives defined in the agreement.

Performance results

This agreement is complete, and the annual summary reports may be consulted for more information.

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