Port Coquitlam exterminator, vehicle dismantling facility, found to be out of step with environmental regulations

A pair of Port Coquitlam businesses have been found to be out of compliance with environmental regulations following inspections.

The Ministry of Environment issued a warning to an exterminator who was using pesticides without valid authorizations or record keeping. The ministry also issued an advisory to a vehicle dismantling facility regarding improper storage and record keeping.

The exterminator, Oleksandr Zalyvadniy, working under Blue Vest Pest & Wildlife Control on Coast Meridian Road, has been told to get in compliance within a month or face further enforcement action from the province.

On June 14, a provincial pest management officer conducted unscheduled onsite mobile storage and office review of the Port Coquitlam property.

Zalyvadniy’s licence had expired on April 1, 2023, but the officer found his records showed he had carried out work related to rodents and pavement ants on May 9, and bed bugs on May 26.

Furthermore, the officer noted deficient and inconsistent record keeping in his logs, such as requirements for filling out names, dates and times, certificate numbers, and specifics related to pesticide application and monitoring.

Individuals convicted of offenses under the Integrated Pest Management Act can face fines up to $200,000 and/or six months in prison.

The province uses escalated enforcement action, first issuing advisories for non-compliance, then warnings, followed by administrative penalties.

Zalyvadniy has 30 days to write back to the ministry to advise on what corrective measures have taken place and what other actions are taking place to prevent further non-compliance in the future.

Meanwhile, Orient Auto Repair and Sales located on Kingsway Avenue was inspected by environmental protection officers on June 21.

The facility is authorized to handle and store hazardous waste as part of its dismantling and recycling operation.

During the inspection, provincial officers found two 205 litre oil drums containing waste oil and filters which were not properly sealed or labelled with the type of hazardous material contained within.

The company’s environmental management plan was found to be out of date, and the owner was unable to produce manifest records needed to transport hazardous waste to show how it was delivered to the business.