Peel's material recycling facility back in operation

Peel's Material Recycling Facility (MRF), which processes residential recyclable material, is back in operation following a closure

caused by a powdered chemical substance encountered by workers on the process line Aug. 28. Ontario's Ministry of the Labour lifted a stop work order Aug. 30.

An air quality monitoring firm and an emergency response company were brought in to analyze conditions at the facility. Although initial investigations by the firms did not detect any trace of a harmful chemical substance, further steps were taken to ensure the safety of the site. All of the equipment and work stations in the facility were washed and vacuumed. Tests taken after the thorough cleaning of the site re-confirmed no evidence of a harmful chemical substance.

Recycling and garbage collection services were not affected by the closure.

"It is important for residents to remember not to place any hazardous material in their garbage or recycling," said Andrew Pollock, Peel's waste management director. "All household hazardous waste can be dropped off free of charge at any of Peel's Community Recycling Centres."

The Torbram Road facility was evacuated Aug. 28 shortly before noon. An unknown chemical substance was spilled. It was believed to be a powder included in the recyclable material collected from the curb.

The Brampton Fire Department, the Peel Spills Response Team, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Environment were called to the site to investigate. Eight workers employed by the MRF operations contractor, Waste Management of Canada Corporation, were taken to hospital for observation and later released.

Peel's Integrated Waste Management Facility, which officially opened in March 2006, consists of a Material Recycling Facility, an Organics Composting Plant and a Waste Transfer Station.

The Region of Peel provides municipal waste management services in the Town of Caledon and the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga. For more information on the Region of Peel's waste management programs and services, call 905-791-9499 or in long-distance areas of Caledon call 905-584-2216, free of charge.

Visit their Web site at peelregion.ca/waste.