The BC Ministry of Environment manages hazardous waste in
British Columbia through the Hazardous Waste Regulation and the BC
Environmental Management Act. This legislation provides protection
for public health, safety and for the environment.
Hazardous waste is a waste which, because of its quantity,
concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics
may:
- Cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality
or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating illness;
or
- Pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or the
environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or
disposed of, or otherwise managed.
Waste Characterization can be based on either Laboratory
Analysis or Generator Knowledge
It is important to understand that when using generator
knowledge, accurate judgment and possibly additional resources,
such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), are required to make an
appropriate waste characterization.
All workplaces in British Columbia are required by law to have
MSDSs on hand for the controlled products they use. MSDSs can be
useful tools to determine if the waste generated is hazardous,
however, mixed or processed wastes are more difficult to classify.
If you are unsure whether or not a particular waste is hazardous,
you should retain the services of a qualified waste management
company.
Characterization accuracy is vital when planning end of life
waste management options, which may include incineration, fuel
blending, landfill stabilization, wastewater treatment,
reclamation, energy recovery and recycling. Overall costs and
liability can be significantly reduced by selecting a treatment
technology that is most appropriate for the particular waste.
For example, recycling of hazardous waste not only eliminates
the release of chemicals into the environment; it also conserves
energy and materials associated in the manufacturing products from
virgin raw materials and keeps waste out of the environment.
Accuracy can also be useful for determining different disposal
options and treatment technologies for hazardous and non-hazardous
waste.
Conducting periodic analysis and reviews of a facility's waste
streams can be advantageous. Depending on the size of the facility,
it is possible to have many different waste profiles which may
change from time to time, depending on development or production
processes.
For further information refer to these Fact Sheets:
006
Construction Industry
007 Mechanical &
Automotive Industries
008 Marine Industry
009
Forestry & Forest-Based Product Manufacturers
010 Mining, Metals & Metal
Finishing
011 Oil,
Gas & Chemical Manufacturing
012 Government & Institutional
Generator