Overview
Facilities which manage hazardous waste and hazardous recyclables in Alberta are generally required to obtain an approval or registration issued under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). Hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable facilities can be designed to store, process, treat, recycle or dispose of these substances and must follow strict environmental protection standards. The requirements for approvals and registrations can be found in the Activities Designation Regulation.
Types of hazardous facilities
Deep well disposal
The disposal of hazardous waste through deep wells or caverns is regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator. More information can be found at Alberta Energy Regulator.
Fuel production
Many wastes and recyclables including hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclables can be used to produce alternative fuels and energy. Facilities are required to either register under the Code of Practice for Energy Recovery or obtain an approval.
Landfills
The Waste Control Regulation allows for certain hazardous wastes to be disposed of at Class I landfills in Alberta. More information can be found at:
Storage
Storage of hazardous waste or hazardous recyclables generated by another person in a quantity greater than 10 tonnes at any one time or for a period of time greater than 365 days will require an approval. The storage of your own hazardous waste or hazardous recyclables does not require an approval; however, the provisions for storage of these substances outlined in the Waste Control Regulation still apply.
Many storage facilities are also permitted to process the hazardous waste and hazardous recyclables but not treat these materials, unless they also hold a waste treatment approval as well.
Treatment
The treatment of waste including hazardous waste by a physical, chemical, thermal or biological process may require an approval or a registration.
Persons wishing to biologically treat waste may be required to register under the Code of Practice for the Land Treatment of Soil Containing Hydrocarbons or they may obtain an approval.
Persons who thermally treat waste may be required to register under the Code of Practice for Small Incinerators or obtain an approval. Note that the thermal treatment of waste is not limited to incineration but potentially to any application of heat to the waste.
Approved facilities
Approvals have been issued to over 50 facilities in Alberta to manage hazardous waste and hazardous recyclables.
A listing of facilities that currently hold EPEA approvals to manage hazardous waste and more information on the approval process is available on the Open Publications portal at:
For more information on approvals, see:
- Authorizations issued under the Water Act or EPEA
- Apply for Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act approvals
Financial security
Waste management facilities, including hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable facilities that that are subject to an approval or registration are required by the Waste Control Regulation to provide financial security prior to operation.
For more information, see:
Setbacks
Waste management facilities, including hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable facilities may be subject to setback distances from other developments, water wells or water bodies. For more information see: