CANADA – Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), in collaboration with GFL Environmental’s division Matrec, has begun the construction of a new materials recycling facility in Montreal, Canada.
The construction began with an official ground-breaking ceremony at the facility, which is situated in the East End of the island of Montreal, specifically in the Montréal-Est industrial district on Sherbrooke Street East.
The event was attended by Quebec’s Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks Minister Benoit Charette along with other officials and company representatives.
Scheduled to become operational by January 2025, the recycling facility will be equipped with sorting systems and will be able to perform traceability processes, leveraging local expertise and technologies.
Once opened, the facility is expected to support the modernization of Montreal’s kerbside recycling programs.
Charette said, “When operational, the center will sort 150,000 tonnes [t] of containers, packaging, and printed paper annually, thereby diverting it from landfill.
“That’s no small achievement when you consider that sorting centers currently process about one million tonnes of recyclable materials per year in Quebec.
“Our government is collaborating with various stakeholders to effectively manage our waste in a more sustainable manner. This involves reducing waste at its source and maximizing opportunities for reuse, recycling, and valorization.”
According to the companies, the facility is expected to employ approximately 100 workers.
In Quebec, approximately 800,000 tonnes of recyclable materials are recovered every year via kerbside recycling programs.
According to ÉEQ, an additional transition plan will be implemented to redirect the collected materials from Complexe Environnemental St-Michel, which processes and converts waste, to Matrec.
This transition will take place between the end of CESM’s current operating contract and three months prior to the start of activities at the future sorting center, starting from October 1, 2024.
Maryse Vermette, President and CEO of ÉEQ, stated, “The agreement with Matrec – GFL will guarantee that the project is executed following the highest standards and establishes new benchmarks for achieving a closed-loop system in the circular economy.”
Meanwhile, in June, all companies that market containers, packaging, and printed matter in Quebec were issued a notice requiring them to become members of Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) and pay a portion of the recycling program’s management costs.
Under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulation for curbside recycling, all producers are now required to become members of ÉEQ.
The required financial contribution is due in January 2024 and will help manage the program and establish a reserve fund, which is mandated by the new regulations.
ÉEQ is also expanding the list of included materials, and most recently, they have added porcelain. There will also be a separate fee for polypropylene (PP).
