Scrap Metal Recycling Company Fined $27,000 For Environmental Protection Act Violation

On September 2, 2021, ministry staff were inspecting a scrap metal recycling site in Hamilton. While at the site, end-of-life vehicles were observed being loaded from a trailer into shredding stockpiles.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Convicted – Marine Recycling Corporation

Court Location – Welland Court

Description of Offence – The conviction is for including false or misleading information in any document, namely an end-of-life vehicle certification, which is required to be created, stored, or submitted.

Date of Offence – On or about Sep 2, 2021

Date of Conviction – January 12, 2023

Penalty Imposed – Marine Recycling Corporation was convicted of one violation under the Environmental Protection Act and was fined $27,000, plus a victim fine surcharge of $6,750 and given 12 months to pay.

Background –

Glendale Metal Company (a division of Marine Recycling Corporation) is a scrap metal recycling company located on Glendale Avenue in St. Catharines. One of the most common materials processed by Glendale Metal Company is end-of-life vehicles (or scrap vehicles).

End-of-life vehicles contain specific materials that are a risk to the environment and human health including fluids in vehicles. The materials must be removed prior to processing to prevent spills to the natural environment, as well as loud and dangerous explosions occurring in scrap metal shredders. There is also a requirement to record that materials have been removed in an end-of-life vehicle certificate.

On September 2, 2021, ministry staff were inspecting a scrap metal recycling site in Hamilton. While at the site, end-of-life vehicles were observed being loaded from a trailer into shredding stockpiles.

Anti-freeze, engine oil, and hydraulic fluid was observed to be spilling from two highway tractors. Further inspection found the two highway tractors to contain engine oil. These fluids are required to be removed and recorded in the end-of-life vehicle certificate.

The certificate accompanying the load indicated that the end-of-life vehicles had come from Glendale Metals Company and that there were no fluids remaining.

The ministry’s Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid charges which resulted in the conviction.

 Courtesy: www.news.ontario.ca