UnHyphenated Canadian: Economy Is In the dumper, Layoffs are Inceasing, EI Claims Are Increasing, Etc. But......

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Economy Is In the dumper, Layoffs are Inceasing, EI Claims Are Increasing, Etc. But......

.....if you try to help yourself you run into the beauracracy and I agree that improper disposal of "garbage" can create a hazard but if the "hazard" is that severe wouldn't that strengthen the case to make garbage collectors essential workers?

Hauling trash for a buck could cost you

By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF

People looking to make a quick buck hauling their neighbour's trash away are running afoul of the law.

Anyone charging a fee to remove garbage requires a certificate of approval issued by the ministry of the environment, spokesman Kate Jordan said.

There's no set fine for hauling waste without proper approval, as it varies according to the amount of garbage, where it was dumped and if it caused any "adverse effects," Jordan said.

If the environment was harmed, the minimum fine would be $5,000 and the maximum fine would be $4 million per day.

"It would be a violation under the Environmental Protection Act and we take any violations of the EPA seriously," Jordan said.

GOODWILL GESTURE

"If (residents) have suspicions that someone in their area is operating without the proper approvals they can call that complaint in and we will follow up." Concerned citizens should call the province's Spills Action Centre at 416-325-3000.

Offering to take someone's garbage to a proper disposal site as a goodwill gesture doesn't require a licence.

But someone who charges a fee, no matter how small, must be able to convince the ministry that they can do it safely.

That includes those enterprising citizens with a pickup truck are willing to take the trash for $1 to $2 a bag.

"You need to have approval from the ministry to be a waste hauler, and that's to make sure you have the proper training and qualifications and certification to make sure that you can haul the waste properly," Jordan said.

"If you're taking municipal household waste you have to make sure you're taking it to a site that can accept that," she said. "Of course, if it's hazardous waste, then you have to make sure that you are taking it to a site that can deal with and accept the hazardous waste."