BC Hazardous Waste Regulation intentions paper released

The BC Ministry of Environment released an intentions paper proposing changes to the Hazardous Waste Regulation. The changes impact storing and transporting moderate risk wastes at return collection facilities (RCFs). These are defined as facilities where generators of moderate risk waste (including the public) drop off hazardous wastes and include retail locations accepting this waste as part of a recycling or collection program.

The ministry is proposing that in-transit consolidation sites, that are not RCFs, be subject to very similar requirements as RCFs, if operated by a local government or operated under an approved EPR plan.

Moderate risk wastes are: paint products; pesticide products; solvent and flammable liquid products; lubricating oils, filters and antifreeze; lead-acid batteries; pressurized refillable propane containers (less than 30 pounds); pressurized, non-refillable cylinders (less than 1 litre); portable fire extinguishers; diesel fuel; electronic and electrical products, including batteries, that contain hazardous materials/components managed under an approved EPR plan; and, pharmaceuticals managed under an approved EPR plan. Examples of the electronic and electrical products include: televisions, computer screens, large appliances such as fridges, thermostats and batteries (other than lead-acid batteries) if any of the above materials contains hazardous materials or components (for example, mercury or lead). Moderate risk wastes would be divided into three tiers.  Certain products and components would be exempt from the Hazardous Waste Regulation under certain conditions.

Government will host one-hour information webinars on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 (11 a.m. PDT) and Wednesday, June 23, 2021 (1:30 p.m. PDT) on the intentions paper. RCC will attend and update the RCC Extended Producer Responsibility/Sustainability Committee. 

Retailers can register by emailing moderateriskwastes@gov.bc.ca. Feedback on the proposals can be sent by email to the same address and is due by Friday, July 30, 2021.  There is a feedback form for brief responses here.