The Ministry of the Environment has proposed several regulatory amendments to facilitate waste recycling, alternative fuel production, and emerging waste management development. A description of the proposals and links to the draft amendments to Regulations 347, 116 and 334 are available here . The Ministry is inviting public comment on the proposed amendments for 61 days beginning July 19, 2006.
The following are some specific amendments that have been proposed
Add waste paint and coatings, printed circuit boards, emissions control dust, spent activated carbon, metal bearing waste and crumb rubber to the list of recyclable materials specifically exempt from requiring approval under EPA, Part V (Waste);Exempt systems for the collection, storage, and transfer of batteries, mercury containing items, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and printed circuit boards from EPA s. 27, 41 and 42;Exempt waste asphalt shingle, waste asphalt, and glass that is placed on land for beneficial purposes (e.g., road construction) from EPA s. 27, 40 and 41;Eliminate the requirement for approval under EPA, Part V (Waste) for the production of ethanol and biodiesel from biomass; andEliminate the 100 tonne per day cap on the combustion of woodwaste as fuel.
The Ministry hopes to encourage the development of pilot sites for new waste management technologies, such as energy-from-waste systems, by streamlining EPA, Part V approvals and exempting projects from the EAA. The exemption would be limited to projects with a maximum capacity of 75 tonnes per day for their first 3 years of operation.
To encourage producers to establish waste take-back programs, the Ministry plans to establish regulations for Extended Producer Responsibility Systems. Systems conforming to the regulations would be relieved from the EPA, Part V approval process. A framework for the regulations is included in the proposals.
Comments on the proposed changes may be emailed to adam.ciulinin@ene.gov.on.ca (reference EBR Registry Number RA06E0008).
