Discussion paper on modernizing hazardous waste reporting in Ontario

ERO number
019-1760
Notice type
Policy
Act
Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990
Posted by
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Notice stage
Decision
Decision posted
Comment period
June 19, 2020 - August 18, 2020 (60 days) Closed
Last updated

This consultation was open from:
June 19, 2020
to August 18, 2020

Decision summary

We reviewed and considered all feedback received during the comment period for the "Modernizing Hazardous Waste Reporting in Ontario" discussion paper. Comments contributed to the proposed regulatory amendments and new regulation, and we will continue to consider these comments as we transition to the new digital reporting service.

Decision details

We consulted on the "Modernizing Hazardous Waste Reporting in Ontario" discussion paper for 60 days from June 19, 2020 to August 18, 2020 to gather early feedback on proposed regulatory changes to modernize and transition the Hazardous Waste digital reporting service to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (the Authority).

We appreciate all of the feedback we received. Comments contributed to the proposed regulatory amendments and new proposed regulation and we will continue to consider these comments as we take steps to update the Registration Guidance Manual for Generators of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste and transition to the new digital reporting service.

Read about and comment on the proposed Regulation 347 changes in the hazardous waste digital reporting service modernization proposal and the new regulation in the fee exemption framework regulatory proposal.

Comments received

Through the registry

46

By email

30

By mail

0
View comments submitted through the registry

Effects of consultation

We reviewed and considered the comments received on the "Modernizing Hazardous Waste Reporting in Ontario" discussion paper. We received a total of 76 comments from the following stakeholder groups:

  • individuals: 29 comments
  • industry: 23 comments
  • industry associations: 10 comments (2 of these comments were exact duplicates, resulting in 9 unique comments for this group)
  • municipalities: 9 comments
  • stewardship organizations: 3 comments
  • government agencies: 1 comment
  • academic institutions: 1 comment

We received many helpful recommendations to improve the new digital reporting service and make the transition process easier for businesses that we will consider as we move forward. Most of the comments we received fell into three key themes that we will discuss below.

Supportive of a new digital service and going paperless

We put forward a number of questions in the discussion paper around moving to a modern, digital reporting service and how to manage the transition. The majority of comments received have been supportive of the move to a new digital service and moving to a paperless system. Commenters asked us for a user-friendly design for the service, and to make training available to users to ensure they are educated and ready to use the new system.

Commenters expressed that they are looking forward to transitioning to a modern, digital reporting service as this would likely reduce errors typically associated with completing a paper document, would reduce storage space required for paper filing, and would improve efficiency in their business processes. We received recommendations on how to reduce errors and improve data quality, such as designing the new service to highlight differences in the quantity shipped by the generator and the quantity received by the receiver.

Managing manifests in the new system

We received many recommendations and questions on how electronic and paper manifests would be managed going forward. In terms of paper manifests, we received recommendations to continue the use of paper manifests for certain reasons, primarily in areas where there may be poor internet connectivity.

We also received comments about allowing delegates to report certain information, such as allowing the waste carrier to complete a portion of the manifest on behalf of the waste generator. Some commenters alternatively recommended that delegates should only complete specific fields and that the waste site owner should be responsible for the majority of information.

We also received recommendations on ensuring that active digital manifests remained available in the reporting service. Most commenters suggested between 2-5 years.

We also received recommendations to align with the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act to reduce current differences in the manifesting process.

Registration and record management

We put forward a number of questions in the discussion paper around how registration and payment should operate in the new system. One question included “now that businesses are moving digital, should we allow supporting records (e.g. data, analysis and other supporting information used in the preparation of the Generator Registration Report) to be kept electronically or are paper copies needed” – we received consistent feedback that no paper copies of this type should be required going forward.

Supporting materials

View materials in person

Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

Connect with us

Contact

Sign up for notifications

We will send you email notifications with any updates related to this consultation. You can change your notification preferences anytime by visiting settings in your profile page.

Follow this notice

Original proposal

ERO number
019-1760
Notice type
Policy
Act
Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990
Posted by
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Proposal posted

Comment period

June 19, 2020 - August 18, 2020 (60 days)

Proposal details

We recently made changes to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (RRCEA), and the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) to allow the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA) to provide digital reporting services, fee setting and collection for a wider range of waste and resource recovery programs.

A new digital reporting service for the hazardous waste program, will save businesses time and money. This change will also help us to meet our goals to:

  • Go digital - Implementing a modern digital reporting service that replaces the existing paper-based manifest program will improve our existing service and knowledge base, making it easier to report subject waste (i.e. hazardous waste and liquid industrial waste as defined in Regulation 347) activities
  • Hold polluters accountable - Implementing a modern digital reporting service will allow for more effective and timely compliance monitoring and enforcement actions

Regulatory amendments are needed to allow RPRA to operate the new modern digital reporting service.

This proposal aligns with the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan to continue to ensure the safe management of hazardous waste in Ontario. It also aligns with the Ontario Digital Service mandate to deliver simpler, faster and better services for businesses, and the government’s commitment to reduce red tape by removing costly, inefficient processes.

Purpose of Policy

The attached discussion paper outlines some proposed changes to Regulation 347 and the Registration Guidance Manual for Generators of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste; as well as recommendations on a new regulation under the RRCEA.

We are also exploring some other changes related to:

  • registration & payment
  • tracking & reporting
  • transition planning that would support the implementation of digital reporting services

We’ve prepared this discussion paper to provide Ontarians with an opportunity to participate early in the development process. The feedback we receive will be used to inform regulatory and program changes that support the modernization of digital reporting services delivered by RPRA.

We are also looking to better understand the impacts of modernizing Hazardous Waste digital reporting services on businesses, so that we can ensure reporting is easier for everyone.

We are looking forward to hearing your feedback on these proposals.

Comment

Commenting is now closed.

This consultation was open from June 19, 2020
to August 18, 2020

Connect with us

Contact

HWIN Modernization

Phone number
Office
Program Management Branch - Program Oversight
Address

40 St Clair Avenue West
4th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada