Ontario prepares toxics reduction strategy

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is planning to introduce new legislation designed to reduce pollution, better inform Ontarians and protect them from suspected toxic chemicals in the air, water, land and in consumer products.

The ministry has prepared a discussion paper on the proposed strategy, entitled “Creating Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Strategy,” which has been posted on the Environmental Registry for a 45-day period. It can be viewed at this link.

“In Ontario, we have one of the largest and most diverse industrial and commercial sectors in North America,” the government’s discussion paper on the legislation said. “This makes Ontario a vibrant place to live and work. However, it also means that Ontario has unique challenges including dealing with some of the most significant releases of toxics and pollutants in Canada and North America, despite the pollution abatement efforts that have been made.”

The public and industry has until October 11, 2008 to comment.

As described in the discussion paper, the proposed strategy could encompass new requirements to report on the use of toxics and to prepare toxics reduction plans, and new authority to regulate toxic substances in products; building capacity to support the design and implementation of the toxics reduction plans, and for actions that result in reductions or elimination of a toxic or which help to foster a greener economy; and ways to inform Ontarians on toxics use and measures they can take to make informed decisions.

Receive the latest news about the Canadian plastics industry in your inbox every Tuesday! Sign up for Canadian Plastics‘ free weekly newsletter.