A big fine has been imposed on a former waste processor and the two individuals who ran the company for environmental offences, according to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
According to the MOECC, 2R Services Inc. and its Directors were fined for failing to comply with ministry approvals for a hazardous waste processing site and an industrial sewage works, and failing to comply with ministry orders, at a site in Barrie, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act.
In 2010, due to concerns regarding water discharge from 2R Services to a tributary of Lovers Creek, the ministry took water samples and carried out site inspections. The water sample results confirmed that there were exceedances of the company’s Industrial Sewage approval and Provincial Water Quality Objectives.
In April, 2011, a Provincial Officer’s Order was issued to assess the impacts to the environment. The order was not fully complied with.
In August, 2011, a further Provincial Officer’s Order was issued to the business and its directors. The Order stipulated that no waste could be received or shipped off-site until approval was granted by the issuing Officer, and a detailed inventory of all waste on-site was required for approval.
Subsequently, a Director’s Order was issued with three main requirements; waste removal and decommissioning of the site, removal of contaminated soil located off-site at a tributary to Lovers Creek, and a requirement for the provision of financial assurance to cover the costs of site waste disposal. This order was not fully complied with.
2R Services pleaded guilty to seven environmental offences and was fined $260,000. One director pleaded guilty to five environmental offences and was fined $57,500, and the other director pleaded guilty to five environmental offences and was fined $2,500 (one offence only). Victim fine surcharges totalling $80,000 were imposed.