TL;DR
Ontario requires an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) registration for waste transportation systems under the Environmental Protection Act. Non-hazardous solid waste haulers using standard roll-off trucks may qualify for EASR registration rather than 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 under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and Ontario Regulation 347.
Provincial requirements
Section 27 of the EPA states that no person shall use, operate, establish, alter, enlarge or extend a waste management system except under an Environmental Compliance Approval.[1] Waste transportation systems — including roll-off container hauling — fall under this requirement unless an exemption applies.
As of 2025, Ontario replaced O. Reg. 351/12 with O. Reg. 119/25, which allows qualifying waste transportation systems to register in the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) instead of obtaining a full ECA.[3] If your operation transports only non-hazardous solid waste using standard waste transportation vehicles, you likely qualify for EASR registration. Systems that transport hazardous waste, biomedical waste, or PCB waste, or that use non-standard transport methods, generally require a full ECA.[3]
Ontario Regulation 347 classifies waste types and establishes carrier requirements including manifesting obligations for hazardous and liquid industrial waste.[2] Carriers of hazardous waste must register through the Hazardous Waste Program Registry operated by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA).
Warning
Operating a waste transportation system without an ECA or valid EASR registration is a provincial offence under Section 186 of the EPA. Fines can reach $50,000 per day for individuals and $100,000 per day for corporations.
Municipal requirements
Toronto requires a Street Occupation Permit under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743 for any dumpster or roll-off container placed on a public roadway.[4] Containers must have flasher barricades from sunset to sunrise, and a minimum 3.05 metres of roadway width must remain clear and passable at all times.
Ottawa requires a Street Occupancy Permit for containers in the public right-of-way. Similar permit requirements exist across most Ontario municipalities.
What are the environmental compliance requirements?
All waste must be delivered to facilities holding valid ECAs.[1] Ontario has strict source separation requirements, and many municipalities ban specific materials from landfill including organics, electronics, and tires. Carriers registered under EASR must comply with activity requirements including maintaining 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 |
Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage is mandatory for all employers. Many ECAs specifically require a minimum of $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 |