Canadian Experience – Hazardous Waste Combustion

1. Canadian Experience – Hazardous Waste Combustion Prepared for the CEC North American Strategy for Catalyzing Cooperation on Dioxins, Furans and HCB Source Control Workshop April 17-18, 2008 Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

2. Overview of the Canadian Sector • In 2000, 8 hazardous waste incineration facilities identified. • In 2006, 12 incinerators identified at 10 facilities, approximately 8 operating. • Located in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec • Throughput ranges from 416 Mg/yr to 83,000 MG/yr • Processes used include rotary kilns with after burners, liquid injection, fixed hearth, 2 chamber, and 2 stage starved. • Air pollution control systems range: • None; • Rapid quench, absorber with reagent addition, and scrubber • Spray dryer, powdered activated carbon addition, fabric filter or wet scrubber or electrostatic precipitator • Wet scrubber + re-heat, powdered activated carbon addition, fabric filter • In Canada, the responsibility for waste management is shared between the federal government and provincial/ territorial governments. • Jurisdictions often work together through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) on waste management issues.

3. Emissions Data • 1999 – 8 facilities estimated to release 7 grams ITEQ 1 • 2006 – 12 facilities estimated to release 0.3 grams ITEQ 2 • Available data indicates HCB releases were 960 grams in 2006 3 1 – Environment Canada, Canadian Inventory of Releases of PCDDs/PCDFs, Updated Edition, February 2001 2 – A.J. Chandler and Associates Ltd., Review of Dioxins and Furans from Incineration, prepared for the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, 2007. http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/1395_d_f_review_chandler_e.pdf 3 – Environment Canada, National Pollutant Release Inventory, 2006: www.ec.gc.ca/pdb

4. Canadian Approach • CCME Canada-wide Standards (CWS) for Dioxins and Furans from Waste Incineration (April 2001) http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/d_and_f_standard_e.pdf • For new or expanding facilities of any size, application of best available pollution prevention and control techniques, such as a waste diversion program, to achieve a maximum concentration1 in the exhaust gases from the facility as follows: • Hazardous Waste Incineration 80 pg ITEQ/m3 • For existing facilities application of best available pollution prevention and control techniques, to achieve a maximum concentration1 in the exhaust gases from the facility as follows: • Hazardous waste incineration: 80 pg ITEQ/m3 1 Stack concentrations of dioxins and furans will be corrected to 11% oxygen content

5. Canadian Approach (continued) • Jurisdictions are using a variety of tools to implement the CWS: • Ontario - negotiate compliance by amending facility Certificates of Approval (legal instruments) • Alberta – incorporate limits into facility approvals under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act • Quebec – not a signatory to the standards – but committed to act within its area of jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the standards

6. Effectiveness/ Lessons Learned • Releases of PCDD/DF have decreased by 95% since 1999. • Report on progress in achieving the CWS to be delivered 2008. To evaluate: • Whether targets have been met • Effectiveness

7. Further Information • Review of Dioxins and Furans from Incineration In Support of a Canada-wide Standard Review, http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/df_incin_rvw_rpt_e.pdf • Bob Larocque, a/Chief Waste Programs Chef intérimaire, Programme des déchets 70 Cremazie, 6th floor Gatineau, Quebec 819-953-2242 Robert.Larocque@ec.gc.ca