State of Environment Reporting

Consumer and Industrial Product Stewardship

Number of lead-acid battery units recycled

Waste Oil Rerefined

SOURCE: BC Ministry of Water, Air and Land Protection, 2001. NOTES: Waste Oil was received at Mohawk’s North Vancouver Re-refinery. The BC Lead-Acid Battery Collection Program was implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks in June 1991.

What are the results of consumer and industrial product stewardship programs?

• Product stewardship initiatives involve industry and consumers taking responsibility for waste from products they produce or use.
  
  
• Since 1995, the amount of lubricating oil recycled increased 25% from 24.4 to 30.4 million litres.
  
  
• The polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals found in lubricating oil are toxic to plants and animals at low concentrations and can restrict plant physiology at higher concentrations.
  
  
• In 2000, the British Columbia Lead Acid Battery Collection Program provided incentives that helped to recycle 759,000 lead-acid batteries.
  
  
• Virtually 100% of the lead-acid batteries generated each year in the province are recycled in British Columbia or exported for recycling. Recycled lead can be processed to make new lead-acid batteries.
  
  
• Lead-acid batteries break down in landfills, releasing lead into the environment. Lead accumulation in body tissue is toxic.