March 8, 1999

To:Works and Utilities Committee

Environmental Task Force

From:Barry Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Household Hazardous Waste Program

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council authority to implement a pilot project to collect used batteries from City employees at City Hall and to provide information on Toronto's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program which reduces the release of toxic materials into the environment.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding in the amount of $1,000 is required to finance a used battery collection program at City Hall and can be accommodated within the proposed 1999 Operating Budget for the HHW Program.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) a one-year pilot project to collect used batteries from City employees at City Hall be implemented; and

(2) additional hazardous waste drop-off sites at public places such as fire stations not be pursued at this time.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting of December 18, 1998, the Environmental Task Force had before it a draft report prepared by staff of the Environmental Task Force which was forwarded to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommending among other items:

(1) that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report to the Environmental Task Force on actions that are currently being taken to reduce the release of household hazardous waste into the environment and suggestions for actions that could be taken by the Environmental Task Force or City Council;

(2) that the City of Toronto's new seat of government have, as a pilot project, a drop-off spot in a visible location for disposal of batteries used by City employees;

(3) that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services prepare a report regarding the setting-up of hazardous waste drop-off sites for the public in places such as fire stations; and

(4) that the Chief Administrative Officer and the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to prepare a plan for disposal of pesticides whose use will be eliminated.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

1. Household Hazardous Waste Program

Solid Waste Management Services of the Toronto Works and Emergency Services Department currently operates a HHW Program which provides the following services to reduce the release of HHW into the environment:

(a)Seven permanent drop-off depots situated at six waste management transfer stations in the City of Toronto and one at Toronto's landfill, located in Maple, which are open two days a week to accept HHW from residents.

(b)A vehicle called the Toxics Taxi which is available upon request by residents to pick-up HHW at their home.

(c)Approximately twenty-eight "Environment Day" events held from April to October where residents can bring their HHW for disposal or recycling.

(d)A HHW telephone Hotline receiving calls from the public on HHW. Residents can schedule a Toxics Taxi pick-up or request pamphlets and other information material by calling this phone line. To supplement the hotline, a section on HHW has been set up on Toronto's Internet Web Site to provide information to the public.

2. One-Year Pilot for Collection of Used Batteries at City Hall

A collection depot for the drop-off of batteries used by City employees can be set up at City Hall as a one-year pilot project. A storage container for batteries can be set up in front of the East and West Tower elevators. A label will be put on the container to stipulate the types of batteries that can be accepted.

Before start-up of the project, in accordance with Regulation 347 under the Environmental Protection Act, a Generator Registration Report is required to be completed and filed with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The battery collection depot can commence upon the issuance of a Generator Registration number by the MOE identifying City Hall as a generator of this type of hazardous waste.

Staff in the HHW Program can monitor the operation of this pilot. We estimate the cost of this program to be approximately $1,000 which includes labour, materials and disposal/recycling costs. The cost for this program can be accommodated within the 1999 Operating Budget estimates for HHW operations.

3. Additional Household Hazardous Waste Depots

The capital cost to fabricate and install a drop-off depot is approximately $75,000. The design of a depot must comply with the Ontario Building and Fire Codes. Before operation commences, a HHW depot requires a Certificate of Approval (C of A) which is issued by the MOE. This C of A is only issued if the MOE is satisfied that the design of the depot satisfies the requirements for a waste disposal (transfer) facility for HHW operations and must meet all of their requirements. Further, the design of the depot must meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act such as providing mechanical ventilation to a hazardous material storage area to minimize the build-up of hazardous or toxic fumes.

The need for additional depots is questionable when two drop-off depots have been closed due to poor participation.

Staff in the Fire Department have been contacted to discuss this proposal. At this time, we concluded that due to the poor participation at other depots, it was difficult to justify the capital expenditure required to establish HHW depots at fire stations. Consequently, we recommend that setting up additional depots throughout the City not proceed at this time.

4. Disposal of Surplus Pesticides

A plan for the disposal of pesticides and reduction of their application on public green spaces has been referred to a pesticides subcommittee under the Toronto Interdepartmental Environment Team (TIE). The Medical Officer of Health has proposed terms of reference to the TIE Pesticides Subcommittee. A final report to TIE and City Council is expected at the end of 1999.

Conclusions:

A HHW Program has been in operation since 1988 providing services to residents seeking to dispose of their HHW properly thereby reducing the release of HHW into the environment and landfills. A drop-off depot for batteries can be established at City Hall where City employees can dispose of their used batteries rather than bringing them to one of Toronto's seven licensed HHW facilities. Setting up additional depots at public places such as fire stations is not recommended to proceed at this time. Disposal of pesticides will be the subject of a report from the TIE Pesticides Subcommittee.

Contact Name:

Dennis Lam

Supervisor - Hazardous Waste

Solid Waste Management Services

Works and Emergency Services

Phone: (416) 392-3668

Fax: (416) 392-4754

E-Mail: Dennis_Lam@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

Angelos BacopoulosBarry H. Gutteridge

General ManagerCommissioner

Solid Waste Management ServicesWorks and Emergency Services

DL/sh

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