Whitby ON (4/22/2014) – An Oshawa composting facility and its Director were fined a total of $65,000 for discharging compost odours that caused adverse effects and failing to comply with a ministry order, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act.

“Environmental protection legislation protects communities and the environment. Breaking these rules can result in serious penalties and is an offence the ministry takes very seriously”, said Environment Minister Jim Bradley.

Northwood Recycling & Energy Inc. owns and operates an organic waste processing facility on Thornton Road in Oshawa. Harvey Robert Ambrose is the President and sole Director of the company.

The company receives raw, source-separated, organic waste and processes it using an aerobic composting process into partially-treated, organic waste. This material is then shipped off-site for further processing into finished compost at a separate waste processing facility.

On April 29, 2011 the ministry received a complaint from a neighbouring property owner about an odour of rotting garbage that had persisted throughout the entire day causing him to feel nauseous when he was outside of his home. An officer from the ministry confirmed that the offensive odour was coming from organic waste stored outdoors on the Northwood property.

The ministry issued an order to the company and Mr. Ambrose prohibiting the outdoor storage of all partially-composted, source-separated organic waste. Between June 11 and June 16, 2011 the ministry determined organic waste was stored outdoors in contravention of the order.

The company was fined a total of $55,000 and Harvey Robert Ambrose was fined 10,000 for a total of $65,000 plus victim fine surcharges totaling $16,250. They were given six months to pay the fines.

Contacts: Kate Jordan Communications Branch (416) 314-6666