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r i www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, APRIL 23,2003 PAGE A9 Three Durham businesses rate among Ontario's worst 10 polluters But progress made in bid to reduce waste BY JEREMY LE PAGE Staff Writer DURHAM - Cough, wheeze, gag. Industrial pollution in the region is still a leading contributor to pollution in Ontario. But while Ontario - along with Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, and Indiana - accounted for 37 per cent of the 3.3-million tonnes of industrial pollution in North America in 2000, companies in Durham claim to be keeping a close eye on their contribution. contribution. Statistics come from the newest report from the North American Free Trade Agreement's watchdog agency, the Commission for Environmental Co-operation. The big three in Durham are: Gerdau Gerdau Amcristcel (formerly Co-Steel Lasco), Whitby; Delphi Canada, Os- hawa Battery for General Motors; and Dominion Colour, Ajax. Together, they contributed to more than 13,000 tonnes of waste in 2000. They arc listed listed along with eight other companies as Ontario's heaviest polluters. But progress has been made, says Tom Wesolowski, environmental manager manager at Amcristcel. "You need to know all the details to make a judgment," he urges. "Our efficiency efficiency is very high... We've been one of the most improved companies in the report." In 1998, Ameristeel ranked 25th in North America for total releases, dropping dropping to 275th in 2000. The company decreased the amount of chemicals it sent to off-site landfills by 5,881 tonnes between 1998 and 2000, and increased its recycling by 3,292 tonnes. Amcristcel has its own on-site landfill, Mr. Wesolowski adds, and contracts a recycler in the U.S. "We pay a premium... rather than sending it to a landfill," Mr. Wesolowski Wesolowski explains. But Delphi Canada, in Oshawa, jumped from 275lh in North America for total releases and transfers in 1998, to 91st in 2000. It increased its recycling recycling by 2,165 tonnes during this time. Spokesman Richard James notes a third shift was added to the factory's production. Says Jim Flaherty, Ontario Minister of Innovation, Enterprise and Opportunity: Opportunity: "The awareness is there... We have to be vigilant, and make sure all companies are obeying the rules." Peter Marr, affairs manager at Dominion Dominion Colour, agrees. He says Dominion Dominion Colour follows strict international international standards when it comes to environmental environmental concerns, despite reports more than 4,000 tonnes of pollution was produced by the company in 2000. "We've had a lot of focus on cutting waste," he explains. The company showed improvement over previous reports, going from 943rd for total releases in North America America in 1998 to number 9,162 on the list in 2000. Dominion Colour decreased the amount of chemicals being sent offsite offsite to landfills by 302 tonnes from 1998 to 2000, and it increased the amount transferred to municipal sewage treatment plants by 338 tonnes. But many other companies in the province arc on the rise for pollution. According to Victor Shantora, acting acting executive director for the Commission Commission of Environmental Co-operation, many smaller companies are now raising raising the amount of pollution in Ontario. "The small 'p' polluter might not grab the same headlines as a large power plant or chemical manufacturer," manufacturer," he explains. "But their effect is being felt throughout the North American environment." environment." Son calls parents from Baghdad SON from page 1 "It was like a miracle to be able to sec him in the newspaper, then a few days later, hear from him," says Mrs. Patterson of her son, who has dual Canada-U.S. citizenship and joined the Marines two-and-a-half years ago. The newspaper photo came as a total surprise to the Pattersons. "Out of 300,000 troops that are over there, our son was picked. We couldn't believe it," Mrs. Patterson says, noting other than a broken nose, her son had sustained no injuries at that point. "I've never seen his hair that long since he's been wjth the Marine Corps, but I guess they don't have time for hair cuts." Her son was not even aware the photo had been taken, says his mother, noting he'd experienced a great deal in the days leading up to the photo being taken. Lance-Cpl. Patterson had been in the square when the statue of Saddam Saddam Hussein had been toppled, and was assigned to guard duty at the Palestine Palestine Hotel, where many international journalists were staying through the conflict. "He had lost a buddy a few days before," before," says Mrs. Patterson. "He just arrived arrived in Baghdad and had come through a fire light. But he sounded good ... I don't think lie's had a lot of time to think." Though the fighting in Iraq has significantly significantly slowed in recent days, Mrs. Patterson says she won't really rest easy till she sees her son on North American soil. She has no idea when that might happen. "I'll be 100-pcr cent relieved when lie's home but there is a little feeling of relief' knowing the worst of the fighting fighting appears to be over, says Mrs. Patterson. Patterson. Still, "neither my husband nor I are foolish enough to think that it's over now, and he's safe." Savings expected on janitorial service SAVINGS from page 1 companies for bids on the job, which includes cleaning the expanded town hall and new library. But normal purchasing purchasing rules had been waived to allow council the final word on whether to contract out or go with inside workers. The in-house service will be provided provided on a one-year trial basis, which will give council a good opportunity to decide decide the best way to go, says Councillor Jane Rowe. 'The time to deal with it is a year from now, when we look back and say what did it actually cost us, is this the best way to continue," says Councillor Rowe, who voted against the proposal for in-house service when the numbers indicated contracting out would be less expensive. "If it's not working or it's costing more than contracting out would have, we should seriously look at going back to the contract situation." DURHAM ( Ol.I.KOK COMMUNITY CHOIH SUNDAY. APRIL 27. 20ÜH JACK IK II KIIAimSON Save Big with Rebates! COMPAQ. PRESARIO S3000NX • AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (1.67 GHz) processor • 256 MB DDR RAM • 40 GB hard drive • CD-RW optical drive • 56K-modem and -10/100 NIC • Windows XP™ Home 507868/502813/502912 AMDrt y ^ Athlon xp Price After Rebates Coupon Code: 5755800000000000 'Based on a 1.5% exchange rale. /M Our Price 1349.86 Instant -49.91 and Mail-in -$200 US (Approx. $300* CON) Rebates F ".a x PAPER WITH PURCHASE OF ANY HP INK COMBO PACK! 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