Battery Recycler Jailed Under Environmental Protection Act

The first jail sentence under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act has been handed to an employee of an Ontario scrap battery recycling firm. Mr. Jeffrey Dressler pleaded guilty on July 22, 2005, to two charges under the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste Regulations made pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. He received a sentence of 30 days on each count, to be served concurrently. The charges were related to actions taken by Mr. Dressler while employed by Battery Broker Environmental Services Inc. of Etobicoke, Ontario.
Judge Lacavera heard that on December 18, 2003, and on March 19, 2004, while working for Battery Broker Environmental Services Inc., Mr. Dressler oversaw the export of more than 37,800 kilograms of waste batteries for
recycling to the United States.
There were no permits in place authorizing the exports. In addition, Mr. Dressler failed to ensure that copies of the relevant waste manifests were forwarded to Environment Canada, as required. It was his responsibility to do so on behalf of the company.
Charges were laid on February 25, 2005, after a year-long investigation by Environment Canada. The next Court appearance for Battery Broker Environmental Services Inc. and its President is scheduled for September 13, 2005, in St. Catharines, Ontario.