TL;DR
Ontario regulates waste transportation systems under the Environmental Protection Act. You need an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) or an Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) registration. Haulers of non-hazardous solid waste who use standard roll-off trucks may qualify for EASR registration instead of a full ECA. Municipalities like Toronto require Street Occupation Permits for dumpsters placed on public roads.
What permits do I need to haul dumpsters in Ontario?
Ontario has a layered waste management framework. It runs under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and Ontario Regulation 347.
Provincial requirements
Section 27 of the EPA covers waste management systems. No person may use, operate, establish, alter, enlarge or extend one except under an Environmental Compliance Approval.[1] Waste transportation systems fall under this rule unless an exemption applies. That includes roll-off container hauling.
As of 2025, Ontario replaced O. Reg. 351/12 with O. Reg. 119/25. The new rule lets qualifying waste transportation systems register in the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). They do not need to get a full ECA.[3] Do you haul only non-hazardous solid waste with standard waste transportation vehicles? Then you likely qualify for EASR registration. Systems that haul hazardous waste, biomedical waste, or PCB waste generally need a full ECA. The same goes for systems that use non-standard transport methods.[3]
Ontario Regulation 347 classifies waste types. It also sets carrier rules. These include manifest duties for hazardous and liquid industrial waste.[2] Carriers of hazardous waste must register through the Hazardous Waste Program Registry. The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) runs that registry.
Warning
Do not run a waste transportation system without an ECA or valid EASR registration. That is a provincial offence under Section 186 of the EPA. Fines can reach $50,000 per day for individuals. For corporations, fines can reach $100,000 per day.
Municipal requirements
Toronto requires a Street Occupation Permit for any dumpster or roll-off container placed on a public roadway. The rule is Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743.[4] Containers must have flasher barricades from sunset to sunrise. A minimum 3.05 metres of roadway width must stay clear and passable at all times.
Ottawa requires a Street Occupancy Permit for containers in the public right-of-way. Most other Ontario municipalities have similar permit rules.
What are the environmental compliance requirements?
All waste must go to facilities that hold valid ECAs.[1] Ontario has strict source separation rules. Many municipalities also ban certain materials from landfill. Banned items include organics, electronics, and tires. Carriers registered under EASR must follow the activity rules. These include keeping driver training records, spill prevention plans, and vehicle inspection records.[3]
What insurance do I need in Ontario?
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Commercial Auto Liability | $2,000,000 (Ontario standard) |
| General Liability | $2,000,000 (common municipal requirement) |
| Workers' Compensation | Required through WSIB for all employers |
Coverage from Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is mandatory for all employers. Many ECAs specifically require at least $1,000,000 in vehicle liability insurance for waste transporters.
Official References
| # | Resource | Agency | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19 | Government of Ontario | statute |
| 2 | O. Reg. 347 — General Waste Management | Government of Ontario | regulation |
| 3 | Environmental Permissions for Waste Transportation Systems | Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks | website |
| 4 | Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743 — Streets and Sidewalks, Use of | City of Toronto | statute |