During the fall of 2025, Canada intercepted more than one million kilograms of hazardous waste before it was exported, as part of Operation Demeter XI. Operation Demeter is an annual global enforcement operation led by the World Customs Organization which brings together international partners to help combat the illegal trade of transboundary waste that is subject to the Basel Convention.
The Canadian operation involved joint inspections by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Canada Border Services Agency officers. Officers intercepted 59 shipping containers containing materials such as e-waste, used batteries, waste oil, hazardous scrap metal, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), plastic waste, contaminated scrap paper, and other environmentally hazardous materials.
This marks the sixth time Canada has participated in the global operation.
More information about the global results of Operation Demeter XI can be found here: World Customs Organization.
Please visit this link for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2026/02/canada-prevents-illegal-export-of-over-onemillion-kilograms-of-waste.html