The County of Wetaskiwin has partnered with a Nova Scotia-based company for an initiative that changes waste into energy.
The partnership will adapt the company’s technologies specifically for Alberta and set a precedent as the province’s first end-to-end circular waste solution, the County said in a media release.
“The Sustane Technologies project represents a significant opportunity for the County of Wetaskiwin to lead in innovative waste management solutions,” said Josh Bishop, County of Wetaskiwin reeve.
“This project not only fosters economic development but also strengthens our commitment to environmental objectives, aligning with our vision for long-term sustainability.”
Sustane Technologies Inc. offers a proprietary clean technology that takes non-source separated municipal solid waste (MSW), separates it into components and converts it into needed resources such as fertilizer and fuel products, the release reads.
This project aims for up to 90 per cent diversion and recovery rate of MSW from landfills, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two to three tonnes for every tonne of waste produced.
The technology will reduce reliance on landfills and decrease greenhouse gases.
“When you combine our leading-edge technology and the county’s innovative view of waste as an opportunity, it delivers new sources of clean, low-cost feedstock for renewable natural gas, or other applications while not only reducing the carbon footprint but also showing commitment to building a better environment for citizens,” said Peter Vinall, CEO of Sustane.
Sustane is a Canadian cleantech company that uses a mechanized proprietary process to recycle landfill-destined household waste for use as low-carbon fuels, feedstocks for producing renewable natural gas (RNG), agricultural fertilizers, and in the production of plastics.
Sustane produces outputs such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency-certified GroBoost Fertilizer, created from primarily paper-derived materials, that can improve soil health while minimizing chemical runoff.
Additionally, by integrating agricultural and other waste plastics into its processes, this initiative promotes economic growth and environmental sustainability, aligning with the County of Wetaskiwin’s efforts to enhance municipal waste management and support our agricultural community.
This project is poised to deliver economic benefits by creating 30-35 local jobs in technical and maintenance roles, underscoring its contribution to the community’s economic development.
Understanding the importance of community input and support, early and proactive engagement efforts are underway to align the project with local values and priorities.
The initiative will also seek collaboration with regional stakeholders and pursue provincial and federal funding to further enhance its feasibility and reduce operational costs.