Emterra’s Material Recovery Facility Operations Launch at Regina’s Global Transportation Hub

REGINA, Saskatchewan - Nov. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Monday October 28 marked the launch of Emterra’s innovative new material recovery facility (MRF) constructed to achieve the City of Regina’s ambitious waste diversion plans. The partnership with Emterra Environmental, a leading Canadian waste management services provider, will enable the community to realize ambitious waste diversion targets while providing a revenue stream from waste recovered for recycling. Media was on hand to tour the facility during the opening event.

Emterra’s (http://www.emterra.ca) state-of-the-art, $18 million, 45,000 square foot MRF is located at the Global Transportation Hub. "Compared to our 37-year history and starting new facilities like this in BC, Manitoba and Ontario, and even the state of Michigan, this has been the most productive, efficient and smooth transition we've ever had," said Paulina Leung, VP of corporate strategy and business development with Emterra. Leung went on to say that community and government support at all levels, provincially and at the municipal level have been key positive factors.

The MRF is designed to meet the anticipated increase in recyclable materials that would have previously been destined for landfill. Regina residential use of blue boxes for recyclables has immediately surged from 50% of households to 70%. Given some construction delays, accumulated recyclables collected were held until the MRF opened. Emterra made quick work of the build-up, confirming that the backlog of recyclables has been cleared with 3,000 tonnes of material processed.

Emterra believes that the amount of recyclables they can collect from residents will grow over time, and additionally, that area institutions will increasingly look to divert their recyclable waste. That is why Emterra’s MRF was built to handle upwards of 50,000 tonnes of material annually.

Increasing recycling makes sense for the residents of Regina from an environmental perspective as well as a financial one. The City is keen on expanding recycling as part of their vision for a healthier, more sustainable community for its residents and future generations. As Emterra is a leading remarketer of recyclable materials that serve as the raw inputs for new products, there is a financial benefit to be shared. The City of Regina will receive 25% of revenue Emterra will earn from commodity sales. A low end estimate of 15,000 tonnes recycled means the city stands to gain $270,000 annually.

Benefits to the community extend further as Emterra has added approximately 30 employees locally, which includes workers with special needs in partnership with the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. Leung believes the number of jobs will grow at the plant as operations ramp up.

Emterra Group is the parent of three operating divisions (http://www.emterra.ca/services/divisions-and-services); Emterra Environmental, Emterra Tire Recycling, and Canadian Liquids processors. Emterra Environmental collects, processes and markets waste resources in more than 80 Canadian communities, serving 10% of the Canadian population. Emterra also operates Emterra Environmental USA which provides waste disposal and recycling services to 50 municipalities and counties in mid-Michigan.