ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
Environmental Management Section
Questions and Answers
click on links below to go directly to
questions and answers
Asbestos removal
Bio-Medical Waste – (Needle
Disposal)
Burial of a large animal on private
property
CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers
of the Environment) Guidelines
Crown ownership
of a lot within a water district
Environmental
Levies / Green Tax (lead-acid batteries; incentives or grants)
Fireplaces and their
appropriate use
Ground Water
and Farmers
Drywall (Gyproc)
Disposal
Noise complaints
Wastewater
Treatment:
Car Washes
Hazardous Waste
Enquiries
BC Generator Registration
Numbers (BCG)
Licence to Transport Hazardous
Waste
Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste Manifests
Asbestos removal:
Q. What type of health issues are involved
when removing asbestos tile?
A. WCB (604) 276-3100 can provide information
on health and procedures for small jobs. For insulation removal,
it is suggested that professionals be hired.
Bio-Medical Waste—(Needle Disposal)
Q. How do you dispose of home-use needles?
A. Pharmacies offer a needle take back program—you
have to buy the needle box and they will dispose of the used
needles. Info also from BC Recycling Hotline. Also, bio-medical
waste management—see CCME Guidelines.
Burial of a large animal on private property:
Q. Can the body of a large 150 lb dog be buried
on private property?
A. Not covered by By-Law (GVRD or us); suggest
that they call their local Health office.
CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the
Environment) Guidelines:
Q. Where can I find the CCME Guidelines?
A. They are available at www.ccme.ca
Crown ownership of a lot within a water district:
Q. Crown has ownership of one large lot within
a water district. Trustees want to know what kind of environmental
protection will be given the land with regard to public camping,
garbage, public access, etc.
A. Issue is on community planning which is
available from the Regional District or Municipality. If it
was for an authorization, i.e. authorization for a landfill
at the site, then that would be under provincial jurisdiction.
Environmental Levies / Green Tax (lead-acid batteries;
incentives or grants):
Q. How do the environmental levies work; where
does the money go? What about incentives or grants to collect/recycle
lead-acid batteries?
A. Visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/ips/batt/index.html for more information on the lead-acid battery program, incentives and environmental levies. Any further questions on levies or lead-acid batteries, contact the Ministry of Environment's Community Waste Reduction Section in Victoria at (250) 356-0535.
Fireplaces and their appropriate use:
Q Homeowner is suspected of burning waste in
their fireplace?
A. Within GVRD area—contact GVRD air complaints
line at 604-436-6777. MoE has two brochures with information
on fireplaces / wood stoves – “ Fine Particulates … What
they are and how they affect us” and “How to get
the Most from your Wood Stove”. Further information contact
regional MoE office at 604-582-5200.
Ground Water and Farmers:
Q. Where can I get information on ground water
and farming issues?
A. The Ministry's Ground Water Web Site Address
is: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/index.html
Drywall (Gyproc) Disposal:
Q. Where can gyproc be taken for disposal? Drywall
and other construction waste is not accepted at most landfills
A. The following companies offer this service:
• New West Gypsum will accept gyproc. (Call 604 520-6647, 38 Logan St at
Braid, New Westminster)
• Wastech Services Ltd. (Call 604 521-1715, 1200 United Blvd, Coquitlam)
• South Langley Transfer Station. – (Call 604 856-3225, Aldergrove
(272nd?)
Noise complaints:
Q. Who would be responsible for noise complaints?
A. Noise is not part of the WMA mandate. Noise
issues are under municipal jurisdiction so contact your municipality,
or if it is an employee at a work site, contact WCB.
Wastewater Treatment:
Car Washes:
Q. How is wastewater from a car wash handled?
A. The treated effluent is sent to the Sanitary Sewer if connected
to the GVRD. Most car washes in the Lower Mainland are connected to the Sanitary
Sewer through some treatments, such as oil / grease and particulate separation.
Hazardous Waste Enquiries
BC Generator Registration Numbers (BCG):
Q. How can I find out a company’s BCG
Number?
A. For Lower Mainland Region send request to
Donna Barlow.
Q. How do I obtain a BC Generator Registration
Number (BCG)?
A. BCG Numbers can be obtained by applying
for a number using form 1A or 1B. Access the following link
for more information and the forms: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/hazwaste/forms/
Licence to Transport Hazardous Waste:
Q. How do I obtain a license to transport
hazardous waste?
A. Application packages can be sent by mail
to the applicant. The exam portion of the application process
is done in our office. Applicants contact Colleen Loguisto to obtain
an application package and/or set up appointment to write the
exam.
Q. How can I find out if a company has a licence
to transport hazardous waste?
A. Contact Colleen Loguisto to request a search to see
if a licence exists.
Q. How can I find out a company’s Transport
Licence Number?
A. Send request to Colleen Loguisto or access the
Ministry Hazardous Waste website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/hazwaste/index.htm
Disposal of Hazardous Waste:
Q. Where do I dispose of hazardous waste from my
home?
A. Refer to the Recycling Hotline (604-732-9253
if local, or 1-800-667-4321 if long distance). You must know
what the material is and it must be in its original container.
Waste Oil (up to 20 litres) can be disposed of at any location
that sells motor oil (gas stations, Canadian Tire, mechanics,
etc.)
Q. Where do I dispose of commercial levels of
hazardous waste?
A. Permitted Hazardous Waste Management facilities
can accept commercial quantities of hazardous waste. Here are
a few companies you can suggest, otherwise they can look in
the phone book.
Philip Services – 604-940-9655
Clean Harbours – 604-940-0894
Newalta – waste oil and flammable liquids only 1-800-665-4220
Contech – PCB disposal only – 604-986-7220
Q. What do I do with a broken thermometer or
thermostat that contains mercury?
A. When mercury is spilt, Environment Canada recommends that you contact your local Poison Control Centre and suggests clean up instructions for small mercury spills on the following web page:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/MERCURY/EN/cu.cfm. For disposal options, contact your regional district / municipality or local hazardous waste management company.
Q. Are fluorescent light tubes hazardous waste?
A. They can be hazardous waste if they contain sufficient mercury to result in an exceedance of hazardous waste characterization standards. Manufacturers should be able to provide information on mercury content of tubes that would assist in such characterization. In addition, an environmental analytical laboratory or hazardous waste management consultant or service contractor may also provide characterization assistance. If you don’t know, it may be prudent to assume that tubes are hazardous waste and to manage them accordingly. Contact the Recycling Council of British Columbia (http://www.rcbc.bc.ca) (1-800-667-4321 or 604-732-9253 in the Lower Mainland) for recycling options — a number of retailers in British Columbia are offering fluorescent light bulb recycling programs.
Hazardous Waste Manifests:
Q. Do I still need a manifest when transporting
hazardous waste?
A. Manifests are still required as outlined
in section 46 of the Hazardous Waste Regulation.
Q. How do I purchase hazardous waste manifests,
multiple consignor forms, multiple waste forms, etc.?
A. You can access the Hazardous Waste Products
Product and Price List form at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/hazwaste/forms/pdf/pricelist.pdf and send to:
Distribution Centre
PO Box 9455 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9V7
Location: 742 Vanalman Ave, Victoria BC
Telephone – 250-952-4464
Facsimile – 250-952-4559
Web Page – http://www.bcsolutions.qp.gov.bc.ca/opc/
