B.C. Takes Action Against Recycling Company for Environmental Violations at Squamish Facility

A composting company serving four million households in Canada and the U.S. has been fined over $22,000 for improperly managing liquid waste in Squamish, B.C.

The violation happened at GFL Environmental Inc.’s facility in Brackendale. This site processes municipal compost from the Resort Municipality of Whistler, creating a byproduct called leachate, which is stored in ponds. Unfortunately, from early 2023 until February 14, 2024, leachate leaked into the surrounding environment, breaking provincial environmental rules.

Testing revealed that the leachate contained harmful levels of copper. According to Kelly Mills from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment, copper can be deadly to fish and other aquatic animals and can harm their growth and reproduction over time. Additionally, earlier assessments pointed out that runoff from the facility posed risks to local wildlife, especially salmon in the Cheekye River.

In response to the fine, GFL claimed that the impact of the leachate was minor and should not be regarded as a major environmental breach. They pointed out that the Cheeky River is 250 meters away and that tests showed no nearby domestic wells were affected. They argued that their water tests met national safety standards.

However, Mills stated that the company’s actions still posed a risk to the environment, especially since they could not prove there were no aquifers beneath their site. Despite acknowledging that there was no clear evidence of significant environmental damage, Mills categorized the violation as a medium contravention and adjusted the fine to reflect the ongoing nature of the issue.

GFL had taken steps to address the problems, such as removing sludge from storage ponds and experimenting with new water treatment methods. Despite these efforts, some metal levels remained high, leading the company to plan for a water discharge permit by January 17, 2025.

GFL has 30 days to appeal or pay the imposed penalty of $22,200.

Based in Vaughan, Ontario, GFL is one of North America’s largest environmental services companies, employing over 20,000 people. The company manages various waste and soil remediation services across Canada and parts of the U.S.

This month, GFL announced plans to sell its environmental services division for $8 billion while retaining a 44% interest in it. This decision aims to reduce debt and enhance their cash flow.

A recent report highlighted GFL CEO Patrick Dovigi as the highest-paid CEO in Canada for 2023, with a salary exceeding $68.5 million, significantly above the average for top executives in the country.

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