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IC&I Sector and Hazardous Waste Hazardous Waste is waste that can be harmful to human health and the environment. Hazardous wastes include leftover materials from manufacturing processes, biomedical wastes from hospitals, photo finishing chemicals, waste pesticides, PCBs and motor oil, just to name a few. These wastes require special handling to reduce their harm. Some, called acutely hazardous wastes, are highly dangerous even when managed properly for example, wastes generated from some pesticides. What will be considered hazardous waste is defined by law. Each province has laws governing the storage, handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The regulations developed in each province put the onus on the generator to determine if any particular waste is hazardous. In Ontario, all hazardous waste must be disposed of properly at a hazardous waste treatment facility or a specially designed landfill.
The Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sector is responsible for the safe disposal of its hazardous waste. The ZWATeam works with small businesses in our community to develop programs to divert hazardous waste from landfill. Fluorescent lights contain mercury, a highly toxic waste; MGM Electric diverts more than 30,000 fluorescent lights from the IC&I Sector every year. The Pack Pros Plus Electronic Waste Collection Depot has diverted more than 350,000 pounds of electronic waste since it opened in 2004. Electronic waste contains toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can leach into the soil and water table when landfilled.
Is My Waste Hazardous?
To determine if the waste you generate is hazardous, you should refer to the Ministry of Environment’s Registration Guidance Manual for Generators of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste (December 2001). The Guidance Manual has a flow chart that will assist you in determining if your waste is hazardous. In Ontario, the General Waste Management Regulation (Reg. 347) has several Schedules containing substances considered hazardous. If your disposable wipers are impregnated with any of the substances contained in the Schedules, they would need to be disposed of as hazardous waste, (except for quantity exemptions)
Are There Any Exemptions?
Most waste generated in an amount of less than five kilograms in any month is exempted from the definition of hazardous waste. For acute hazardous waste, the small quantity exemption is for less than one kilogram in any month. What Are My Responsibilities for Hazardous Waste? It is the responsibility of the generator to determine if a particular waste is hazardous under Reg. 347. If your waste is hazardous, you must register as a waste generator with Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Any waste transported off-site for treatment or disposal must be accompanied with a manifest. You must keep a copy of each manifest for at least two years. Also, you must maintain a log book indicating who picked up the waste, the amount shipped and the final destination. You are not permitted to store hazardous waste on your site for more than 30 days unless you notify the MOE. Registration can be done on-line though the MOE’s HWIN system. If you own a retail service station, you may be exempt from any of the requirements of generator registration and manifesting found in Reg. 347. In order to be exempt under Reg. 347, you will need a written agreement for the collection and management of selected waste with a licensed hauler. Details of the exemptions can be found in the Procedures for the Handling and Disposal of Selected Wastes from Retail Motor Vehicle Servicing Facilities
How Can I Dispose of My Hazardous Waste?
A variety of waste management facilities are available to assist in proper waste management and disposal. They include waste transfer stations, recycling facilities, and landfills. You can consult with any number of licensed waste haulers that can assist you in determining the most cost effective waste management solution. What About Oil and Grease? Wipers containing with oil/grease are considered “non-subject” waste (or non-hazardous) and can be disposed in non-hazardous waste landfills. Non-hazardous solid waste landfills that accept oil-containing wipers will have specific conditions in their Certificates of Approval that will allow for this practice. You should make sure that the landfill is permitted to accept oil-containing wipers. Oil-containing wipers may be leachate toxic (and thus, hazardous waste) under Reg. 347. An examination of the MSDS may assist in determining if oil leached from wipers could be leachate toxic (some oils, for example, contain lead). If there is concern that the oil contains lead, it would be prudent to conduct a leachate toxicity test on a representative sample.
Who Can I Call For Help?
Many of your questions regarding waste can be answered by consulting the MOE’s Registration Guidance Manual for Generators of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste. Alternatively, you can contact the HWIN Helpdesk at 1-866-HWINMOE (494-6663). The website for Ontario is: http://www.hwin.ca/hwin/index.jsp