An Edmonton-based numbered company specializing in biomedical waste disposal has pleaded guilty to improperly storing a range of hazardous items such as spent X-ray developers and chemotherapy materials without provincial approval.
Operating as GFM Environmental Services, 1158728 Alberta Ltd. pleaded guilty to one count of improper storage under the province’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
The company was given a $13,000 penalty inclusive of a victim surcharge.
Provincial officials from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas said that when the company relocated its business in 2020, management discovered that the new facility did not provide enough power to run the boiler for its autoclave treatment, commonly used to steam biomedical waste prior to a final disposal destination.
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“Despite this, the company continued to receive and store biomedical waste, accumulating 16 sea cans of waste,” states an August 29 provincial bulletin.
Following a tip, an Alberta Environmental Protection Officer inspected the facility in March of 2022. The officer learned that the company had been receiving biomedical waste from Alberta and other places throughout Western Canada, then storing it for up to two years at another storage facility.
The waste originated from a veterinary office, dental clinics, tattoo parlours, and educational institutions, according to the agreed statement of facts presented in court.
Company officials had planned to take the sea cans to the Swan Hills Treatment Centre, which is the largest commercial hazardous waste incineration facility in Western Canada. However, the incinerator had been closed for months due to maintenance.
Other charges against the company were dropped following the plea agreement.
