Newsroom:
Toxic and hazardous waste continues to flow into Ontario communities, report finds Imports of United States waste double 1994 levels
April 14, 2003
A new report, Open for Toxics provides detailed analysis of the production and transport of hazardous waste in Ontario communities and across borders was released today by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP). The 78-page report contains over 40 charts identifying Ontario producers and receivers of hazardous (ignitable, corrosive, chemically reactive, toxic, or likely to spread disease) waste, was written by Ms. Christine Elwell, an environmental lawyer with the
Institute and Ms. Ingrid Harris.
Ms. Elwell, stated, “CIELAP found that between 1994 and 2000 (last available data) there has been a doubling (105.8%) increase in the amount of hazardous waste received from the United States. The authors attributed the 12.6% decline in imports during the 1998-2000 to a slowing of the US economy, since there was no regulatory change this could be attributed to.
- In descending order Hamilton, Ottawa, Burlington, Windsor, London and Ajax are the six largest Ontario hazardous waste generating locations. Hazardous waste generated in Ontario increased by 35% overall from 1994. Ontario hazardous waste generation dropped by 5% between 1998 and 2000.
- The report show a significant increase in U.S. hazardous waste being received at Ontario’s local water pollution control plants (up 36%) and incinerators (up 8.6%) between 1998 and 2000.
- Sarnia (60.6%) followed by Guelph (25.3%), Hamilton (7.5%) and London (2.5%) receive the bulk of US origin hazardous waste. Sarnia saw declining volumes, Guelph and Hamilton minor increases, while London has gone from receiving just over 3,000 tonnes in 1998 to over 5,000 tonnes in 2000.
- The top 20 receiving locations of non-leachate hazardous waste include several southern Ontario locations Ajax (#6), Toronto (#7), Windsor (#8), Ottawa (#9) and Barrie (#11). The northern Ontario cities in the top 20 include Kenora (#12), Thunder Bay (#14) Sudbury (#15) South Porcupine (#16) and North Bay (#19).
Anne Mitchell, CIELAP’s Executive Director, observed, “CIELAP’s preference is to support pollution prevention and toxic product use reduction, coupled with rigorous standards for treatment, storage and safe disposal for existing stocks of hazardous waste”. She concluded by saying, “CIELAP is extremely concerned about the lack of progress and commitment of the Ontario government to develop meaningful legislative responses to the hazardous waste legacy, we face. The situation is cumulative and requires immediate attention.”
For additional information contact:
Anne Mitchell
Executive Director
416-923-3529
The Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy has for been commenting on and monitoring policy and regulatory changes related to the environment for 30 years.