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Disposing of Special Wastes
The disposal of special waste in the Yukon was not well regulated until 1995, when the Special Waste Regulations were passed. Waste oil, for example, which makes up most of the special waste in the Yukon, used to be spread on roads to suppress dust, or poured into an area at the City of Whitehorse landfill, where it continues to cause environmental problems to this day.
Now special waste - including waste oil - requires special handling, and cannot be thrown out like everyday garbage. It must be handled and disposed of properly to make sure it does not become hazardous to human health or the environment.
The Law
There are several options for disposing of special waste in the Yukon:
- pay a permitted facility to collect it;
- dispose of it during the annual special waste collection; or
- burn waste oil in a special furnace.
Collection by a Permitted Facility
Several Yukon businesses have permits to collect special waste from generators for proper treatment or disposal. If you would like a current list of permitted facilities, please contact the Environmental Programs Branch of the Department of Environment.
Annual Special Waste Collection
The Department of Environment ships special wastes out of the Yukon once a year. The Department pays for collecting and transporting the wastes, while the generator of the wastes is responsible for the disposal costs. This service is available to special waste generators in all Yukon communities.
Costs vary, depending on the type and volume of special wastes to be collected. The collection is usually held each year in the fall. For more information, please contact the Environmental Programs Branch.
Incineration of Waste Oil
If you generate a lot of waste oil, you may wish to consider installing a furnace that can burn this waste. These furnaces must be used for space heating and can heat your shop and lower your operating costs.
Waste oil furnaces must be CSA certified, UL/ULC listed, or approved by the Yukon Government's Public Safety Branch. You need a Special Waste Disposal Permit to burn waste oil.
Heavily contaminated waste oil cannot be burned, and must be shipped out of the territory. The Environmental Programs Branch can provide a list of approved furnaces, and information on permits, allowable contaminant levels and testing.
Proper handling saves money
By following a couple of common sense rules for storing and handling special wastes, you will save money and headaches:
- Segregate, don't mix - mixed wastes are much more expensive to treat. For example, keep seperate and clearly marked containers for waste lubricants and waste antifreeze.
- Prevent contamination - firmly close the lids on your pails and bungs on your barrels to keep out water and other contaminants.
Bioremediation
Special waste contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons only, may be able to be cleaned up through a process called bioremediation. If you are considering this option for treatment of special waste contaminated with oil or fuel, please contact the Environmental Programs Branch.
Waste Manifests
If you generate special waste and decide to pay someone else to transport it for you, a waste manifest must be completed.
Waste manifests are shipping documents that must be completed by the business generating the waste (consignor), and the facility that the waste is being sent to (consignee). Copies of the manifest must be returned to the Environmental Programs Branch by the consignor and the consignee. Additional information on carriers and shipping is also available from the Branch.