The MOE has provided OCETA a $150,000 grant to promote the reduction of toxics including the reduction of hazardous waste generated by small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Greater Toronto Area by embracing sound pollution prevention practices.

Improving the environmental performance of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs) is critical for reducing the release of toxics into the environment and the province-wide generation of hazardous wastes.

The Ministry's support allows OCETA, through its Toronto Region Sustainability Program, to proactively solicit SMEs that generate hazardous waste and release toxics into the environment, and assist these companies by preparing a pollution prevention assessment that helps them identify pollution prevention opportunities that will reduce or eliminate contaminants at the source.

The Toronto Region Sustainability Program provides technical assistance and a funding incentive to SME manufacturers that wish to participate in this voluntary program. SMEs are eligible to have a multi-media pollution prevention assessment undertaken by a pre-qualified pollution prevention consultant from OCETA's roster. The consultant will identify the root causes of priority pollutants and wastes, and recommend improvements in technology, processes and the operating practices for the facility. Participants receive a funding incentive of up to 50 per cent (maximum $5,000) to help offset the costs of the $10,000 pollution prevention assessment.

The funding from the MOE is aimed at SMEs that may not have the resources to assess their waste management practices and may lack the technical knowledge to take advantage of pollution prevention opportunities. The successful implementation of these pollution prevention activities will result in a cleaner environment and provide long term benefits through significant material and operating cost savings while reducing or eliminating costs to manage toxics and hazardous wastes.

OCETA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the
Ontario Ministry of the Environment in support of the Toronto Region Sustainability Program

For more information please contact:

Fred Granek, Vice President, OCETA
905-822-4133 x224
fgranek ( @oceta.on.ca )

or

Meena Hassanali, Program Coordinator, OCETA
905-822-4133 x233
mhassanali ( @oceta.on.ca )

OCETA is a private, not-for-profit corporation that supports the commercialization and market acceptance of innovative technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions through stakeholder consultation and the provision of business and technical services.