Adopting a Product Stewardship Approach through ARET

ARET, which stands for Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics, is an industry/government, voluntary emission reduction program. It targets 117 toxic substances, identified by a multi-stakeholder group using specific scientific criteria based on toxicity, bioaccumulation and persistence. Currently in its sixth year, it involves 317 facilities from 169 companies -- including C4 participants -- and government organizations.

By the year 2000, ARET's goal was to achieve a:

• 90% reduction of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) substance emissions.
  • The list of 30 substances includes 9 chlorinated organics, such as PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, dioxin and furan.

And a:

• 50% reduction of other toxic substance emissions.
  • The list of 87 substances includes 22 chlorinated organics.

  Results to date

According to the most recent ARET report, "Environmental Leaders 3 Update" May 2000, (available on line at Environment Canada's website at http://www.ec.gc.ca) ARET participants have made significant progress toward the goals committed to in their action plans. Together, 317 facilities have reduced annual toxic substance emissions to the environment by 26,360 tonnes - a decrease of 67% from base year levels to December 1998. Year 2000 targets have been met or exceeded for62% of ARET substances being reported.

• Emissions of the chlorinated organics identified as PBT have been reduced over 99% including:
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Hexachlorobenzene
  • 2,37,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran
  • Octochlorostyrene
  • 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
  • PCBs
     
• Emissions of other chlorinated organics have been reduced over 73%, including:
  • 2,4,6-trichlorophenol
  • bis(2-chloroethyl)ether
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Carbon tetrachloride
  • 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylene
  • 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol
  • epichlorohydrin
  • 2,4-dichlorophenol
  • 1,1,2-trichloroethylene