Coco Paving Inc., a paving company that operates an asphalt plant in Belleville, was recently fined $10,000 plus a victim surcharge of $2,500 for burning waste at its site without an Environmental Compliance Approval from the Ontario Environment Ministry.

The initial investigation stemmed from Environment Ministry staff responding to a complaint from the public about smoke coming from the site. A site inspection revealed that the company was burning various waste materials from its business processes.  Environment Ministry records showed that Coco Paving did not have a valid ministry approval to be carrying out these activities. 

An investigation resulted in one charge being laid which resulted in one conviction.