Q-2, r. 35.1 - Québec residual materials management policy

Section 7.3 Disposition versions

2012-09-01

7.3. Discourage and monitor disposal

One conclusion drawn from the situation over the last 20 years is that despite major recovery and reclamation efforts, too many residual materials are sent for disposal. To counter this problem, the government intends to take measures to discourage the disposal of residual material and avoid the waste of resources.

Implementation of the Regulation respecting the landfilling and incineration of residual materials (chapter Q-2, r. 19) and the imposition of charges payable for the disposal of residual materials in 2006 promoted the recovery and reclamation of these materials by increasing disposal costs. However, disposal still costs less overall than recovering and reclaiming residual materials, particularly near large urban centers. The government wants to make reclamation more competitive by increasing disposal charges and investing the money in programs that promote recovery and reclamation.

If these recovery objectives are not reached, the government will assess whether it is appropriate to further raise the fees.

Although we can discourage the disposal of residual materials, we cannot eliminate it entirely, and the government intends to make sure that this activity is safe for human health and the environment.

The government also wishes to ensure that any new waste incinerator with a capacity of more than 2 metric tons an hour must comply with both the 4R-D hierarchy and recycling objectives. These new incinerators must be designed to recover the energy generated by the combustion process.

O.C. 100-2011, s. 7.3.