Share your thoughts: Review of the definitions of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable materials under the Cross-Border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials

Current status: Closed

Opened on April 6, 2022 and closed to new input on May 23, 2022.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is seeking input and comments on a discussion document which outlines issues related to the definitions of hazardous waste (HW) and hazardous recyclable materials (HRM) under the Cross-Border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations (XBR), with the goal of developing a proposal for updated definitions.

Background

Under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the XBR ensure that shipments of HW and HRM crossing Canada’s international, inter-provincial, and territorial borders, reach their intended destination thus reducing the risks of release of contaminants to the environment.

As the types of HW and HRM being managed over the years have changed in terms of their composition, constituents, and characteristics, and new streams of HW and HRM have been brought to market, ECCC is undertaking a review of the definitions of HW and HRM.

Who is the focus of this consultation

We invite all Canadians to participate in this consultation. We especially want to hear from:

• Canadian importers and exporters of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable materials
• Waste disposers
• Scrap metal recyclers
• Carrier associations
• Waste management associations
• Recycling associations
• Provincial and Territorial governments
• Other Federal government departments
• National and regional Indigenous organizations
• Environmental non-governmental organizations, other civil organizations
• Foreign and international bodies and countries

Key questions for discussion

The discussion document outlines specific questions that will help guide the development of proposals to update the definitions of HW and HRM. We would like your input on the following topics as well as any technical information that you may have on:

• Approach to identifying when something is a waste or recyclable material
• Inclusion on the lists of HW and HRM and how a listing approach can be used
• Constituents and substances of concern contained in a waste or recyclable material and the threshold concentrations above which the waste or material would be considered hazardous
• Criteria for determining whether a waste or recyclable material exhibits a hazardous characteristic
• How waste subject to the Basel Convention should be captured to improve clarity and facilitate implementation; and
• Exclusions from the definitions of HW and HRM

Related information

• Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations

Contact us

By email: mt-tm@ec.gc.ca

Please indicate “HW & HRM Definition” in the subject line of your message.

By mail

Consultation on Definitions for Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials
Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd., Place Vincent Massey, 9th floor
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3