A group of about 100 residents picketed Collingwood Ethanol over the weekend.
Residents from the surrounding area - members of the Collingwood East Environmental Action Committee (CEEAC) - spent Labour Day holding picket signs that read "Clean Up or Close Up."
Peter Case, chair of CEEAC, said the goal of the protest was not only to show their frustration with the ethanol plant, but also to show their frustration with the lack of action from the Ministry of the Environment.
Case's group has led the charge over the past year in an effort to get the plant to clean up. Case said over the past year, residents have not been able to enjoy their properties because of odour and noise.
"We continue to ask Collingwood Ethanol to close until it gets these repairs made," he said.
"We don't have any doubt they can do it. We want them to do it."
Case said it isn't fair that the plant "continues to contravene the Environmental Protection Act," and the residents have to suffer.
"They continue to be fundamentally indifferent to the residents," he said. "We don't get acknowledgment from the plant."
Case said this protest is likely the first of many.
In a press release, Collingwood Ethanol outlined what changes they have made to the plant.
• Installed a beer degasser to reduce potential odours from the CO2 scrubber.
• Tied a germ dryer exhaust into the gluten/fibre scrubber, which is designed to decrease noise associated with the germ drying process.
• Installed a silencer on the fibre/gluten scrubber, which is designed to reduce noise associated with the germ drying process.
• Enhanced the complaint response procedure to respond to complaints faster.
• Retained an expert to deliver a report on the status of the wastewater treatment plant.
• Hired a consultant to perform a peer review of the report.
• Installed a meteorological station at the plant to track wind conditions
• Delivered a 174-page noise and odour abatement strategy to the MOE.
The company said it plans to:
• Extend the height of the CO2 scrubber exhaust stack, which is designed to increase odour dispersion.
• Perform an acoustic audit by Sept. 8.
