The recent court decision is the culmination of an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) that began years ago. The charges were laid following numerous odour complaints from local residents and business owners near Orgaworld's London facility, dating back to August 2007.
MOE spokesperson Kate Jordan explained the nature of the convictions:
“The convictions relate to ‘operating a waste disposal site not in accordance with ministry approval.’”
According to Jordan, the ministry issued an order in the spring of 2008 in response to the persistent complaints. The order was a direct attempt to enforce better odour control, mandating that Orgaworld “transfer all processing and composting of organic waste indoors,” specifically targeting an outdoor curing pad that was identified as a primary source of the problem.
In the Dec. 27 ruling:
Orgaworld was fined $37,000 plus victim fine surcharges.
Steven Mark Van Manen, the former operations manager, was fined $7,500 plus victim fine surcharges.
Both were given 90 days to pay and received suspended sentences for failing to comply with the written notification.
A Second Investigation and a $5 Million Solution
The legal troubles for Orgaworld don't end there. A second MOE investigation into odour complaints, launched in the spring and summer of 2010, led to a further 24 charges being laid in February 2012. These new charges are against the company and its president, Henricus J. M. Kasdkens.
In response to the 2010 investigation, Orgaworld took significant action. In July of that year, the company voluntarily suspended operations, removed all material from the plant, and invested heavily in a solution. Jordan noted that Orgaworld spent an estimated $5 million on a plant upgrade specifically intended to resolve the persistent odour control issues.
A pre-trial for these 2010 charges was adjourned in December 2012 and is now scheduled for Feb. 4, 2013.
About Orgaworld: A Green Mission with Challenges
Orgaworld plays a critical role in Ontario's green initiatives, composting green bin waste from a number of municipalities. The company operates two facilities in the province, located in London and Ottawa. The final compost product is a valuable resource, sold to Ontario farmers to fertilize their fields, with some material from the Ottawa plant also being used for animal bedding.
This case underscores the difficult balance between advancing environmental programs like large-scale composting and maintaining a good relationship with the surrounding community through effective odour control and operational compliance.
Key Facts at a Glance
Company: Orgaworld
Total Fine (Dec 27 Case): $44,500
Core Issue: Failing to comply with a Ministry order for odour control.
Company's Response (2010): $5 million plant upgrade
Next Legal Step: Pre-trial for 2010 charges on Feb. 4, 2013
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