Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Act

On June 5^th, 2009, Ontario passed the Toxics Reduction Act (TRA).  The Act requires regulated facilities to:

• Perform materials accounting, i.e., track and evaluate their current use and creation of toxics;
• Develop Toxics Reduction Plans, i.e. develop a plan to reduce the use and release of toxics;
• Reporting – to the Ministry or a Designated Body; and
• Public Disclosure. i.e., make a summary of the plan available to the public.

TRA intends to refocus Ontario’s traditional ”end of pipe” management of emissions, to include a focus on pollution prevention, which includes reducing toxic ”use” or inputs, changing processes and technologies, and taking other actions to help lessen the release of toxics into the environment. TRA seeks to address the amount of toxic substances used by facilities as inputs, in processes and/or produced as products, by-products or waste.

The regulated facilities to be initially targeted by the Act include the manufacturing and mining industry sectors in Ontario.

EHS has many years of experience preparing Materials Accounting and Toxic Reduction Plans (Pollution Prevention Plans).  EHS has worked with and authored federal and provincial Operating Guidelines for many manufacturing sectors.

Please contact EHS at info@ehstrategies.com to discuss assistance with Materials Accounting and with preparation of Toxics Reduction Plans.