This is What Happens when you illegally Dispose of Industrial Waste

 The extensive development across Toronto, the GTA, and southern Ontario has led to record amounts of construction and industrial waste. It has been imperative for this waste to be accurately and appropriately disposed of.

For the vast majority of contractors and related stakeholders, ensuring the proper disposal of industrial waste is a high priority and it’s one they accomplish routinely. There have occasionally been instances however when contractors have attempted to cut corners, resulting in environmental damage, health and safety at risk, and financial penalties.

For any contractor who’s ever wondered how much a fine is for illegally disposing of industrial waste, this past June, SNC-Lavalin Constructors, Dragodos Canada, and the EllisDon Corporation were charged $95,000 for illegally dumping industrial waste in violation of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA).

These three aforementioned companies conspired with the owner of an unapproved waste disposal site to illegally dump liquid industrial waste, generated from the Ottawa Confederation Line light rail transit project. The exact material disposed of was the watery slurry generated from the tunnelling activities completed for this project.

Thankfully, the amount of industrial waste illegally dumped in this case was not large and the fine was minimal, especially in comparison with penalties extending to $2 million and possible imprisonment. Industrial waste must always be handled with the utmost care, ensuring the necessary licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained.

The financial penalties can be high however it’s the environmental damage that is much worse. Industrial waste has the potential to put the health and safety of those living in the immediate disposal environment at risk. In the aforementioned case, it was ‘water slurry’. At other times, it could be more hazardous chemicals or asbestos. At such a critical time in human history, illegally dumping waste is not acceptable, whether it’s done knowingly or unknowingly.

Beyond the damage done to the environment, there could be thousands of dollars of clean-up. In the past hundred years of Canadian history, we have seen the amount of damage environmental accidents and illegal dumping can cause. Land and water contaminations, and vulnerable populations put at risk are just the beginning. Needless to say, this is highly unacceptable behaviour.

As a contractor, when you illegally dispose of industrial waste, you end up putting a lot at risk, and the consequences just do not make it worth the risk. Always get the appropriate permits. As a waste management company in Toronto, we hold very high disposal standards. When we are dealing with any contractor in need of industrial waste disposal, you can trust us to ensure your waste is being handled appropriately.

Thankfully, the contractors we work with uphold much of the same high standards for their waste disposal, ensuring industrial waste is processed legally according to the appropriate government regulations.

For more information on how to dispose of industrial waste in Toronto, contact Core Mini Bins today to speak with a representative. Illegal dumping of industrial waste in Toronto is an insult to the local communities and is something we are proud to stand against. When you hire Core Mini Bins for industrial waste disposal, know that we’ll get the clean-up done the right way. Proper dumping of waste ensures that all stakeholders are respected and that our contractors are protected.