Logistics Analysis of Dangerous Goods Waste in Canada

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Directorate, based on risks, develops safety standards and regulations, conducts oversight, and provides expert advice on the safe transportation of dangerous goods (DGs) by all modes to promote public safety in Canada.

Each year 8 million tonnes of dangerous goods waste are generated by industry in Canada, of which 40% is treated with the remainder going to landfill sites or being discharged into municipal sewers. This waste may contain chemical substances that are considered dangerous to human health and safety or to the environment if improperly handled. In Canada, DG wastes and DG recyclable materials are defined as those with hazardous behavioral properties such as flammability, corrosiveness, or toxicity. These wastes and materials can pose a variety of hazards to the Canadian public in the event of exposure, from skin damage, environmental contamination and even fatality. This bears significance to the TDG directorate as the logistics of dangerous goods waste can have a considerable transportation footprint. An integral component of a dangerous waste management program is controlling the transport of dangerous goods that are wastes.

DG wastes and recyclables come from many sources, including material left over from industrial activities such as oil refining, chemical manufacturing and metal processing. Waste can be disposed, recycled or repurposed, necessitating the transportation of waste from production sites to disposal or recycling sites. Presently, the TDG Program is interested in expanding its comprehensive knowledge base regarding the logistics surrounding handling, offering for transportation and import of DG waste through a logistics analysis of DG waste.

The objective of this project is to analyze and describe the logistics of DG wastes in Canada. This includes identifying sites that produce (generate) or collect DG wastes; sites that process DG wastes (dispose or recycle); and the transportation logistics involved. The findings of this study will contribute to inform policy decisions regarding safety regulations.