Hazardous Waste: Rules and Regulations

Alberta Environment has responsibility for regulating the transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes and for waste management facilities that handle/dispose of industrial non-hazardous waste.

Landfills that accept hazardous waste or more than 10,000 tonnes a year of non-hazardous waste, or compost facilities accepting more than 20,000 tonnes a year of mixed organic material require an Alberta Environment approval.

Landfills and composting facilities accepting less than these annual volumes must register with Alberta Environment. A  registered facility must be sited, designed and operated in accordance with an Alberta Environment Code of Practice.

Alberta Environment asks to be notified by compost facilities that process solely vegetative matter and/or manure, and waste storage sites such as transfer stations.

Home or backyard composters are exempt from Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Improper operation of a backyard composter an however result in legal action under the Public Health Act's nuisance regulation.

Responsibility for reviewing applications and monitoring waste facilities is managed by Alberta Environment regional directors.

Industrial and Hazardous Waste

Alberta Environment has a comprehensive waste management framework that includes legislation, policies, programs, guidance documents, and waste tracking.

The type and quantity of all hazardous waste moved within the province are tracked through Alberta's Hazardous Waste Manifest System.

Approvals (with strict controls) have been issued to 58 facilities in Alberta to manage hazardous waste and hazardous recyclables.

• Alberta Facilities with an EPEA Approval to manage Hazardous Waste/Hazardous Recyclables
• Monthly Waste Report by Class
• Monthly Waste Report by Material
• Industrial Waste Identification and Management Options

Alberta Environment consults the public in the development of tools needed to achieve its waste management goals.

• The Beneficial Use of Waste
• Updating Alberta's Hazardous Waste Regulatory Framework

Waste Information Sheets

Municipal Solid Waste

Our mission is to develop consistent programs, standards and policies with municipalities and key stakeholders to ensure that municipal solid waste is managed to protect and improve the environment and health of Albertans.

• See Certification for Solid Waste (Landfills and Compost)
• See Financial Security for Landfills
• See Regional Landfills Contact List

Alberta legislation requires that certain landfill facilities and compost facilities be approved.  Coordination is provided to ensure that approvals produced in the Regions are consistent.

For inquiries about Municipal Approvals, please contact MunicipalApprovals.Coordinator@gov.ab.ca.