Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers, working alongside national and international partners, intercepted more than 1.2 million kilograms of hazardous waste destined for export, in what officials say is the country’s largest operation of its kind.
The seizures, announced in late February, were made during Operation Demeter XI, a global enforcement initiative led by the World Customs Organization aimed at curbing the illegal cross-border movement of hazardous waste regulated under the Basel Convention.
In the fall of 2025, joint inspections by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency resulted in the interception of 59 shipping containers carrying environmentally hazardous materials, according to a federal enforcement notification.
The intercepted shipments included e-waste, used batteries, waste oil, hazardous scrap metal, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), plastic waste and contaminated paper — materials that can pose significant risks to both environmental and human health if improperly handled.
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Officials say Canada’s participation in Operation Demeter underscores its commitment to international efforts to ensure hazardous waste is managed responsibly and to crack down on illegal exports.
This marks the sixth time Canada has taken part in the annual operation, which brings together enforcement agencies from around the world.
Globally, Operation Demeter XI involved 120 customs administrations worldwide and resulted in the interception of more than 15 million kilograms of illegal waste shipments through 409 seizures, reflecting a significant increase in enforcement activity compared with previous years.
In Canada, the movement of hazardous waste is governed by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, along with regulations that require permits, tracking and environmentally sound handling of materials. Enforcement officers conduct inspections year-round to ensure compliance and to reduce risks associated with hazardous waste exports.
