Waste Management Expert Emterra Group Latest to Set Up Shop in Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub

REGINA, SK – Emterra Group, a Canadian leader in waste management and recycling material recovery, processing and commodities marketing, announced today it has purchased a 13-acre parcel in Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub (GTH) where it will build a world-class processing facility for recyclables.

Emterra is building the facility as a result of winning a 10-year contract with the City of Regina to process and market an estimated 25,000 tonnes of recyclables collected annually in the city’s coming curbside single stream recycling program. Emterra’s total investment in the land, building and processing equipment tops $18 million.

The 45,000 sq. ft. material recovery facility (MRF), which will have a total recyclables processing capacity of 50,000 tonnes annually is set to begin operations coinciding with the start of the recycling program on July 1, 2013. Initially it will employ between 25 and 30 workers with expectations that the number will grow as Emterra expands to meet the solid waste management needs in Saskatchewan’s municipal and industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.

“This operation in Saskatchewan will be Emterra’s flagship facility,” said CEO Emmie Leung. “It’s our first presence in the province and the first MRF built from the ground up with a full commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.”

The plant is being designed to use less energy, less water and less natural resources. Benefits will include lower energy and water costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a healthier environment for workers. Following LEED’s best practices for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, Emterra is using more than 250 metric tonnes of recycled asphalt in the site development; advanced, energy saving windows and doors that incorporate recycled materials; nearly 137 metric tonnes of recycled steel in the structure and panelling; and water conserving washroom facilities. The processing equipment to be installed will feature industry-leading, energy efficient technology.

“We selected the GTH as the location for our MRF because of the partnership opportunities it offered and the fast, efficient, cost effective access to Emterra’s North American and global markets and municipal partners. We are very excited to be joining the GTH at the ground floor,” Leung said. She added that the experience of working with the GTH team to define and find solutions to Emterra’s operational needs has been outstanding.

Currently operating in BC, Manitoba and Ontario, this is Emterra’s 15th MRF and fourth that is designed to process single stream recyclables (SSR), which allows residents and businesses to commingle container and paper recyclables in the same recycling bin. SSR typically results in a 20% to 25% increase in the recovery of recyclable materials as compared to recycling programs that require additional sorting by residents and businesses. Emterra is the largest SSR facility designer, builder, and operator and commodities marketer in Canada.

Emterra Group operates three divisions: Emterra Environmental, which collects, processes and markets waste resources in more than 80 Canadian communities, serving 10% of the Canadian population; Emterra Tire Recycling, which collects and recycles scrap tires; and Canadian Liquids Processors Limited, which converts waste consumer beverages into highly sought after industrial grade ethanol.

Emterra also operates Emterra Environmental USA which provides waste disposal and recycling services to 50 municipalities and counties in mid-Michigan.

Each year, Emterra markets more than 500,000 tonnes of recyclables selling approximately 70% to North American markets.