This electronic version of Licence C-007 was prepared by Ecowaste Industries for informational purposes. Only the printed version issued by the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District is the official version.

GREATER VANCOUVER SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE DISTRICT

SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

LICENCE

C-007

In accordance with the Greater Vancouver Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Municipal Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw No. 181, 1996, as amended by Bylaw No. 183, A Bylaw to Amend Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Municipal Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw No. 181 (collectively the "Bylaw")

Ecowaste Industries Ltd.
2500 - 595 Burrard Street
P.O. Box 49200
Vancouver, British Columbia
V7X 1L1

(the "Licensee") is authorized to operate a

COMPOSTING FACILITY

located at

15111 Williams Road, Richmond, B.C.

This Licence has been issued under the terms and conditions prescribed in the Bylaw for Existing Facilities and consists of a total of 12 pages.

1. DEFINITIONS

1. Definitions

In this Licence terms defined in the Bylaw shall have the same meaning for the purpose of this Licence unless otherwise defined in this Licence and,

"co-composting" means the composting of municipal solid waste with agricultural waste and/or industrial waste;

"composting" means the biological decomposition of organic materials, substances or objects under controlled circumstances to a condition sufficiently stable for nuisance-free storage and safe use in land applications;

"Compostable Material" means any organic material, substances, or objects that can be used for composting;

"Finished Compost" means compost that has biologically decomposed to a sufficient degree that the compost has beneficial value to plant growth, and the compost can be stored, handled and used without giving rise to odour or self-heating problems, even if it should become wet;

"municipal solid waste" shall have the same meaning as defined in the Waste Management Act, ("(a) refuse which originates from residential, commercial, institutional, demolition, land clearing or construction sources, or (b) refuse specified by a manager to be included in a waste management plan");

"Yard Waste" means vegetative matter resulting from gardening, horticulture, landscaping or land clearing operations, including materials such as tree and shrub trimmings, plant remains, grass clippings, trees and stumps, but does not include demolition waste, contaminated organic matter or significant amounts of animal feces.

2. FACILITY

2.1 Location of Authorized Facility

 The operation of the Facility to which this Licence applies shall be restricted to the area designated for composting as outlined in the attached Site Plan, and to the land described as the central portion of Parcel Identifier: 003-475-727 Lot "J" except: part subdivided by Plan 47993; Section 27 Block 4 North Range 5 West New Westminster District Plan 19680, Parcel Identifier: 003-574-083 Lot "C" except: part subdivided by Plan 47993, Section 22 Block 4 North Range 5 West New Westminster District Plan 19680, and Parcel Identifier: 003-810-437 Lot "B" Section 15 Block 4 North Range 5 West New Westminster District Plan 19680. The address of the land is 15111 Williams Road, Richmond, B.C., and the area designated for composting is between Blundell Road and Francis Road.

 2.2 Access

The Licensee shall provide locking gates on all access roads to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that the gates are locked at all times the Facility is unattended. Access routes on and through the Facility shall be constructed from suitable material capable of providing all weather access for all operations and emergency vehicles. The Licensee may be required by the Solid Waste Manager to provide fencing, trees, shrubbery, or natural features so as to limit access to the Facility.

 2.3 Signage

The Licensee shall ensure that at all times the Facility has a sign posted at the entrance clearly identifying the name and address of the Facility, owner and operator, contact phone number and phone number in case of emergency, hours of operation, and information on acceptable and unacceptable materials. This sign shall be of a size and have print that is easily readable from the Facility entrance. Additional signs which clearly indicate the directions to the active tipping and Compostable Material separation areas, etc. shall also be displayed.

 2.4 Communications

The Licensee shall ensure that at all times the Facility is operating, telephone or other communication equipment is available to immediately summon fire, police or emergency service personnel in the event of an emergency.

3. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

 3.1 Acceptable Materials

 The Facility may accept for composting purposes the following types of Compostable Material which are considered municipal solid waste:

(1) Yard Waste;
(2) Wood waste from construction and demolition sources which shall not exceed more than 5% by volume of the total volume of material being composted; and
(3) Other materials specifically authorized by the Solid Waste Manager. Such authorization shall be deemed to form part of this Licence.

For co-composting purposes, the Facility may accept the following types of Compostable Material which are not considered municipal solid waste:

(1) Horse stable bedding; and
(2) Other materials specifically authorized in writing by the Solid Waste Manager. Such authorization shall be deemed to form part of this Licence.

3.2 Unacceptable Material

The Facility shall not accept :

(1) Special waste as defined by the Waste Management Act Special Waste Regulation;
(2) Dead animals, slaughterhouse carcasses and parts, and fish waste; and
(3) Any other wastes not authorized in Section 3.1 of this Licence.

Unacceptable material must be removed from the Facility immediately or stored in accordance with the Approved Operating Plan under Section 3.10 of this Licence.

3.3 Quantities

For the purpose of this section the term quantity includes any gases, liquids, or solids intermingled with Compostable Material and Finished Compost. These quantities shall apply regardless of the state, condition, or form of the Compostable Material and Finished Compost.

The annual average weight of Compostable Material that may be accepted at the Facility shall not exceed 200 tonnes per day.

The annual average volume of Compostable Material that may be accepted at the Facility shall not exceed 600 cubic metres per day.

The total weight of Compostable Material and Finished Compost that may be at the Facility at any given time shall not exceed 35,000 tonnes.

The total volume of Compostable Material and Finished Compost that may be at the Facility at any given time shall not exceed 123,000 cubic metres.

3.4 Hours of Operation

Subject to municipal bylaws, zoning requirements, or the notification provided for below, the Facility shall only operate or allow access to vehicles transporting Compostable Material as follows:

The Licensee shall notify the Solid Waste Manager (facsimile number: 436-6811) in writing during regular business hours at least 24 hours in advance of operating outside of these specified times. Notices received outside of regular business hours will be deemed to have arrived at the beginning of the next business day. This notice shall include the specific date and times that the activity will occur outside of these hours. The Licensee shall also notify the City of Richmond of any changes to these specified times.

3.5 Material Storage

All materials on site shall be stored in a manner to minimize vector attraction. Compostable Material listed in Section 3.1 of this Licence that is not suitable for composting, sale, or use, must be segregated from the composting Facility and removed in accordance with the Approved Operating Plan under Section 3.10 of this Licence.

3.6 Leachate Control

The Licensee shall ensure that storm water or leachate from the Facility is collected and discharged in accordance with the Approved Operating Plan under Section 3.10 of this Licence.

The Licensee may be required by the Solid Waste Manager to provide groundwater and surface water monitoring information.

3.7 Area Maintenance and Litter Control

The Licensee shall maintain public and private roadways within 100 metres of the Facility free from litter, mud or debris which may be directly attributed to the Facility, its customers, or its suppliers. The Licensee shall control litter by way of litter control fences, litter pickup, or any other measures deemed necessary by the Solid Waste Manager.

3.8 Supervision and Load Inspection

An attendant employed by the Licensee shall be present at all times that the Facility is open for business or accepting waste and shall inspect every load received before mixing with any other loads.

3.9 Fire Protection

The Licensee shall provide and maintain an adequate water supply, a sufficient quantity of noncombustable soil and earthmoving/excavating equipment, or equivalent, on site for extinguishing any fires, should they occur. All windrows shall be placed to allow access by fire fighting equipment.

In the event of a fire the Licensee shall immediately notify the local fire department and the Solid Waste Manager (telephone number: 436-6800, facsimile number: 436-6811) and take all measures necessary to extinguish the fire.

3.10 Approved Operating Plan

On or before April 15, 1997, the Licensee shall submit to the Solid Waste Manager a Proposed Operating Plan. If the Licensee does not submit a Proposed Operating Plan to the Solid Waste Manager on or before April 15, 1997, the Solid Waste Manager may, at his sole discretion, suspend or cancel the Licence. The Solid Waste manager may approve or reject the Proposed Operating Plan.

After May 30, 1997, the Licensee shall not operate the Facility except in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of an Operating Plan approved in writing by the Solid Waste Manager ("Approved Operating Plan"). After May 30, 1997, if the Licensee operates the Facility without an Approved Operating Plan, or without complying strictly with the terms of the Approved Operating Plan, the Licensee will be in breach of this Licence. In that case, the Solid Waste Manager may, at his sole discretion, in addition to any other action he may take, suspend or cancel the Licence. The Licensee shall not amend the Approved Operating Plan without first having received written approval of the Solid Waste Manager.

Amendments to the Approved Operating Plan may be required periodically at the sole discretion of the Solid Waste Manager.

The Operating Plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Handling procedures for all materials entering the Facility during the term of operation including all Compostable Material, additives, unacceptable and unsuitable material, and Finished Compost;
(2) Procedures and frequency of inspections and monitoring of all operational activities;
(3) Fire Protection and Emergency Procedures Plan;
(4) Management of storm water and leachate;
(5) Dust, litter, odour, vector, and other nuisances control;
(6) Schedule for any future changes or upgrades; and
(7) Any other matter specified by the Solid Waste Manager.

3.11 Approved Closure Plan

On or before April 15, 1997, the Licensee shall submit to the Solid Waste Manager a Proposed Closure Plan. If the Licensee does not submit a Proposed Closure Plan to the Solid Waste Manager on or before April 15, 1997, the Solid Waste Manager may, at his sole discretion, suspend or cancel the Licence. The Solid Waste manager may approve or reject the Proposed Closure Plan.

After May 30, 1997, the Licensee shall not operate without a Closure Plan approved in writing by the Solid Waste Manager ("Approved Closure Plan"). After May 30, 1997, if the Licensee operates the Facility without an Approved Closure Plan the Licensee will be in breach of this Licence. In that case, the Solid Waste Manager may, at his sole discretion, in addition to any other action he may take, suspend or cancel the Licence. The Licensee shall not amend the Approved Closure Plan without first having received written approval of the Solid Waste Manager.

Amendments to the Approved Operating Plan may be required periodically at the sole discretion of the Solid Waste Manager.

The Closure Plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Length of time between receipt of last Compostable Material and the completion of closure activities (closure period);
(2) Procedures for removal, reuse, and/or disposal of all materials remaining at the Facility;
(3) Procedures and plans for site restoration; and
(4) Any other matter specified by the Solid Waste Manager.

4. INSPECTIONS

4.1 Inspections

The Licensee shall conduct and maintain records of regular inspections of the Facility in accordance with the Approved Operating Plan under Section 3.10 of this Licence.

5. REPORTING

5.1 Quarterly Reporting of Quantities

The Licensee shall record the quantity, in tonnes, and type of Compostable Material received at the Facility and the quantity of Finished Compost, in tonnes, shipped from the Facility each day. Records of monthly quantities of Compostable Material and Finished Compost shall be submitted to the Solid Waste Manager on a quarterly basis by the end of April, July, October and January of each calendar year for the preceding 3 months of operation.

The first report is due by April 30, 1997.

5.2 Record Keeping

The Licensee shall retain the following at 215 - 10451 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, B.C. and shall produce the same for examination if required by the Solid Waste Manager or an Officer:

(1) Copy of this Licence;
(2) Copy of Approved Operating Plan;
(3) Copy of Approved Closure Plan;
(4) Copies in electronic or hard-copy form of records and other evidence for the previous year of operation relating to the quantity and type of
   (i) Compostable Material accepted at the Facility,
   (ii) residues or rejected material from the composting Facility    delivered to a disposal facility, and
   (iii) Finished Compost shipped from the Facility; and
(5) Records of inspections conducted by the Licensee and regulatory agencies for the previous year of operation.

The Licensee shall also retain the following at the Facility and shall produce the same for examination if required by the Solid Waste Manager or an Officer:

(1) Copy of this Licence; and
(2) Copy of Approved Operating Plan.

6. TERMS

6.1 Notification

The Licensee shall notify the Solid Waste Manager of a change in the operator, ownership, or control of the Facility, or any change in control of the Licensee within 10 days of such a change.

6.2 Notice

Any notice required to be delivered to the Licensee under this Licence shall be delivered or deemed to have been delivered if such notice is:

(1) mailed by double registered mail to the registered or records office of the Licensee or to the address for service set out in this Licence;
(2) delivered to the registered or records office of the Licensee;
(3) delivered to an adult individual at the Facility who appears to be in control of the Facility or who appears to be an employee of the Licensee;
(4) delivered to a director, officer, liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy or receiver manager of the Licensee; or
(5) posted on the door or gate of the Facility, where no one is present at the Facility or the Facility appears to be abandoned.

6.3 Suspension and Cancellation

This Licence may be suspended or cancelled in accordance with the Bylaw.

7. SECURITY and PERFORMANCE

As a condition of this Licence, the Licensee shall provide and maintain security as described in this Article 7. The security shall remain in place until the requirements of the Approved Closure Plan referred to in Section 3.11 of this Licence have been fulfilled in their entirety to the satisfaction of the Solid Waste Manager.

7.1 Purpose of Security

The purpose of the security is to indemnify the District for any expenses arising out of a default by the Licensee under this Licence. The security may be utilized by the District at the discretion of the Solid Waste Manager at any time during the term of this Licence to conduct remedial work which may be necessary to rectify a continuing default by the Licensee under this Licence.

7.2 Nature of Security

The security shall be in the amount of $5,000 or adjusted pursuant to Section 7.3, and shall be provided and maintained as follows:

(1) The five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be provided in the form of cash or an irrevocable Letter of Credit provided by a Canadian Chartered Bank. The Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable and may be drawn upon only by written demand of the Solid Waste Manager. The Letter of Credit shall be issued in favour of the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District.

7.3 Review of Security

The amount of security required under this Licence may be reviewed periodically at the sole discretion of the Solid Waste Manager and may be adjusted by the Solid Waste Manager.

7.4 Conditions for Drawing on Security

If the Licensee defaults under or fails to comply with any provision of this Licence, and does not cure the default or failure within the time specified by the Solid Waste Manager, in a written notice delivered to the Licensee informing the Licensee of such default or failure, the security may be drawn upon and used at the discretion of the Solid Waste Manager, acting reasonably, for the following purposes, without limitation:

(1) to remove, process, treat, or utilize municipal solid waste, Compostable Material, or any other materials abandoned at the Facility;
(2) to control or stop the escape of leachate or contaminated run-off from the Facility;
(3) to remediate the site following a fire;
(4) to comply with any orders or requirements by any government or governmental agency or authority respecting the remediation of contaminants on or from the Facility; and
(5) to cover expenses, including legal expenses, incurred by the District in
   (a) carrying out the activities described in this Section 7.4, and
   (b) enforcing or complying with any laws or enactments of the federal, provincial or any local government.

7.5 Conditions for Returning Security

The security, or any balance remaining after it may have been drawn upon in accordance with the terms of this Licence, will be returned to the Licensee upon the Licensee fulfilling the requirements of the Approved Closure Plan referred to in Section 3.11 of this Licence in their entirety to the satisfaction of the Solid Waste Manager.

Nothing in this Licence shall release the Licensee or any other person from any present or future liability, responsibility or obligation arising under any present or future federal, provincial, or local government laws or enactments.

Nothing in this Licence shall obligate the District to draw on any security provided under this Licence or undertaken any action to cure any default or failure of the Licence. The exercise by the District of any power to cure any default or failure by the Licensee under this Licence shall not create any obligation or liability on the District to complete the curing of any default or failure or to fulfill in their entirety all requirements of the Approved Closure Plan referred to under Section 3.11 of this Licence.

Ecowaste Industries Ltd.
Composting Facility Site Plan