2 Feature Analysis: Off-site Transfers to Disposal in North America, 2014–2018
2.1 Introduction
From the industrial revolution to the present day, manufacturing and other productive sectors have been a cornerstone for national development and economic growth. However, unsound management of the waste generated by these sectors can pose significant risks to public health and the environment. A key objective of the Taking Stock report is to address issues of interest to stakeholders through the presentation and analysis of PRTR data and related information, to shed light on industrial activities in North America and their potential environmental impacts.
In February 2020, a public meeting of the North American PRTR Initiative was held in Montreal, during which participants expressed concerns regarding the lack of information relative to reported off-site transfers to disposal. Key questions related to the exact nature and risks of certain industrial waste disposal practices and lack of clarity about the final disposition of pollutants – particularly when the transfers involve a third party and a transfer of responsibility for ensuring the waste is adequately managed. This feedback from stakeholders, combined with sparse evidence of the use of PRTR data relative to off-site transfers,[10] led to the decision to include a special analysis of transfers to disposal in the report.
This chapter seeks to address the following questions:
- What are the types and volumes of industrial pollutants transported off-site to disposal, including across international borders?
- What are the environmental and human health risks associated with different disposal practices?
- What problems are raised by the transfer of responsibility for off-site waste disposal to external contractors?
- Are existing laws and regulations sufficient to limit the potential negative impacts of waste disposal?
- What are the existing and emerging alternatives to current waste generation and disposal practices?
The chapter includes the following main sections:
- 2.2 Scope and Methodology: This section presents the information sources consulted and the categories of data analyzed for this report. It includes definitions of the terms used in each of the PRTR programs in relation to off-site disposal and examines the impacts that differences among national reporting requirements have on our ability to compare data across the region.
- 2.3 Waste Disposal Practices and Their Potential Impacts: In this section, off-site disposal practices reported by industrial facilities are described in the context of each country’s regulations and the allocation of responsibilities for waste management. The environmental and human health risks associated with some of these practices are also discussed.
- 2.4 Analysis of Off-site Transfers to Disposal, 2014–2018: This section presents analyses of data from the Taking Stock Online platform, for the 2014–2018 period, for the top reporting sectors and the substances transferred, by disposal category. The analysis also provides additional information relative to some of the sectors that are common across the region, with the aim of comparing reporting in the three countries.
- 2.5 Sustainable Production and Alternatives to Industrial Waste Generation and Disposal: This section presents alternatives to the conventional industrial waste production and disposal cycle, including the concept of circular economy, and related strategies that may be implemented within industrial sectors. It also provides examples of pollution prevention and sustainable production practices adopted by North American facilities.
- 2.6 Conclusions