Surrey recycler charged for exporting hazardous waste overseas

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster) : A Surrey based recycler, Electronics Recycling Canada has been charged with 24 federal counts for unlawful export of hazardous waste materials overseas.

The company is reported charged by Environment Canada for exporting toxic recyclables-batteries(lead acid and nickel cadmium) and CRTs to Macau without permit during the period from August 14^th to November 10^th 2011.The next court appearance is scheduled on April 17^th.

Many companies who claim themselves as electronics recyclers function with the sole aim of exporting the electronic waste to developing countries, which brings in big profits. Loads of e-waste - old, recycled computers, TVs and electronics - from Canada makes its way to China.

Seattle based Basel Action Network (BAN) in its report published in 2002 estimated the total e-waste exports from Canada to Asian countries during the year to about 20,000 tonnes. The unlawful shipment of recyclables continues to happen even today, may be with more vigor.

This is not the first time that such incidents have been caught red-handed. Federal Agencies in 2006 had seized as many as 50 containers from around 27 companies packed with plastic and metal scrap destined to Asian countries. The companies were charged with only nominal fines. Similar incidents were reported during February 2010 and January 2011 too.

According to BAN, the regulations must be enforced more strictly. Offenders should be made to understand that such acts of transboundary exports would be considered a criminal act and involve jail time. The imposition of fines have never served to put an end to the issue as shipment of even one container would fetch these unlawful exporters, many multiples of the fined amount.

Electronics Recycling Canada is said to have branch offices in the U.S. in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon.

The company officials refused to comment on the matter.