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Ontario MHSW program development updates

The Ontario Ministry of Environment has approved the Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste Program Plan. The program will begin on July 1, 2008.

Product Care is working with Stewardship Ontario as part of the MHSW program team. To view the Program Plan as approved by the Ontario Ministry of Environment go to MHSW Program Plan.

To view the MHSW regulation and the program request letter go to: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/land/wda/mhsw.htm. To learn more about waste diversion in Ontario, visit Waste Diversion Ontario or view the Waste Diversion Act.

The following Phase 1 materials are included in the waste diversion program:
1. paints and coatings, and containers in which they are contained;
2. solvent, and containers in which they are contained;
3. oil filters, after they have been used for their intended purpose;
4. oil containers that have a capacity of 30 litres or less
5. single use dry cell batteries;
6. antifreeze, and containers in which they are contained;
7. pressurized containers such as propane tanks and cylinders;
8. fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides or pesticides, and containers in which they
are contained.

The program request letter also appoints Stewardship Ontario as the Industry Funding Organization for the MHSW program and requires changes to the governance structure of S.O. to allow representation of the MHSW stewards. 

The Minister of the Environment posted the MHSW Plan from June 11, 2007 until July 11, 2007 for public consultation. See posting here. 

Ontario MHSW background information

In preparation for MHSW stewardship in Ontario, Product Care sponsored two baseline studies conducted by the Association of Municipal Recycling Coordinators (AMRC):

"What is collected as HHW?" Household Hazardous Waste Baseline Composition Study, 2004
This study answered the question of "what" is received at municipal HHW by conducting 44 sampling days at a representative cross section of 9 Ontario municipalities.

The characteristics of the household hazardous waste received at municipal depots on the sampling days was meticulously recorded - this included container size, product type, brand name, weight, volume etc. A special feature of the study was to trial the Canadian Standards Association definition of HHW.


Download    Household Hazardous Waste Baseline Composition Study, 2004

 

"Where and when is HHSW collected?" Ontario HHW Baseline Study: programs and operations, 2005
This study answers the question of "where" and "when" municipal HHW collection occurs in Ontario. AMRC researchers surveyed all Ontario municipal HHW programs to obtain the details of the HHW collection services offered. Information was gathered by telephone and through 4 regional meetings held in Hamilton, London, Sudbury and Ottawa. Included in the report are maps showing the location of Ontario municipal HHW collection services.

 

Download    Ontario HHW Baseline Study: programs and operations, 2005
Download    Ontario HHW Baseline Study: Spread Sheets, 2005
Download    Ontario HHW Baseline Study: Maps #1, 2005
Download    Ontario HHW Baseline Study: Maps #2, 2005

 

"How much is collected?" WDO HHW Datacall
Each year Waste Diversion Ontario conducts a survey of all Ontario municipalities to determine tonnage of material collected and other information. These studies are located on the WDO website at: Click here to read them.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Association of Municipal Recycling Coordinators of Ontario have issued "AMO/AMRC Position on Household Hazardous Waste/Household Special Waste (HHW/HSW) Position Paper." Please note this is a draft for consultation purposes and does not represent the final position of AMO/AMRC.