Overview of Canadian EPR programs for HHW
Products/Timeline
In all cases multiple producer organizations exist to manage the various materials.
British Columbia
1992- EPR program for used oil established
1994- Provincial HHW collection shut down, EPR for paint starts up
1997- Solvents, flammable liquids, gasoline, pesticides, pharmaceuticals
2010- Mercury-containing lamps, thermostats
2011- Lead acid batteries, antifreeze
2012- Batteries
Manitoba
1997- Used oil
2011- Lead acid batteries, antifreeze, pharmaceuticals, batteries
2012- Paint, mercury-containing lamps, pesticides,
“waste household hazardous materials”
= flammable liquids, corrosive materials, toxic materials, physically hazardous materials,
environmentally hazardous materials
Ontario “MHSW” or “Orange Box” program
Phase 1- under EPR since
Phase 2– Not EPR, provincial govt.
2008
pays
 Paint
 Secondary (rechargeable) batteries
 Solvents
 Aerosols
 Oil filters
 Fire extinguishers
 Primary batteries
 Fluorescent lamps
 Antifreeze
 Thermostats, thermometers,
mercury switches & other devices
 Compressed cylinders

Pharmaceuticals
 Pesticides & herbicides
 Sharps
Phase 3- Not EPR,
municipalities pay
 Fertilizers
 Flammables
 Corrosives
 Irritants
 Toxics
 Reactives
Financing
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Visible fee vs. cost internalization is not specified in the legislation
Financing is addressed in the product plan review
Some products have visible fees, some do not
If there is a visible fee, specific transparency & auditing requirements are imposed
Role of existing HHW infrastructure
British Columbia: municipal HHW facilities were shut down in 1994
Manitoba: only one facility, provincially-funded, at a commercial hazardous waste facility
Ontario: “municipalities are the main focus”, costs are covered, including collection