When it comes to waste management, public health protection and safety are always the top priority. Communities and stakeholders want reassurance that modern energy from waste (EfW) facilities operate safely and transparently. At Emerald Energy from Waste, we have decades of experience and rigorous oversight that prove our operations manage waste responsibly, while also protecting local communities and the environment.
Meeting a Growing Urban Challenge
Ontario faces a landfill crisis with provincial capacities projected to run out by 2035. Cities require alternative waste management strategies that promote community safety and sustainability, which is where Emerald steps in. By transforming non-recyclable, non-hazardous waste into electricity and steam through thermal recycling, this process reduces landfill dependency while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we currently generate 10 MW of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 6,000 homes annually. Emerald also provides steam through a closed-loop system to a local recycled paper mill, powering their boilers and reducing their reliance on fossil-fuel boilers. The facility’s expansion increases its processing capacity to over 900,000 tonnes of waste per year, enabling the facility to generate 100 MW of electricity and power approximately 60,000 homes annually.
Advanced Emissions Controls for Public Health Protection
Modern EfW facilities, like Emerald, are among the most heavily regulated waste technologies in Canada. Emerald’s approved environmental screening report indicates that its planned redevelopment meets all provincial and federal air quality standards. There are a few contaminants that raise concerns; however, background regional levels are the primary contributors to this rise, rather than the facility’s operations. To meet air quality standards, Emerald utilizes an Advanced Pollution Control (APC) system, which includes evaporating cooling towers, venturi reactors, baghouse filters, induced draft fans, and a selective catalytic reactor. The APC process effectively removes acid gas, heavy metals, dioxins, furans, particulates, and nitrogen oxides and safely disposes of them before they reach the atmosphere. Additionally, real-time monitoring ensures compliance with strict emission thresholds and transparency with the public. These safeguards are in place to ensure emissions remain well below levels that could pose risks to human health.
Independent Health Assessments
As part of the redevelopment approval process, Emerald commissioned detailed Human Health Impact and Human Health Risk Assessments. These studies, reviewed by independent regulators, concluded that the potential health risks associated with the facility’s operations are low to negligible. While the results identified emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter as potential concerns, the studies found that local air quality challenges primarily stem from regional background sources, such as transportation, rather than from Emerald’s facility.
Continuous Community Engagement and Transparency
Protecting public health goes beyond just technical safeguards, as Emerald is committed to engaging openly and transparently with local communities and stakeholders. Through bi-monthly public liaison meetings, open houses, and public reporting, individuals are welcome to learn more about the facility’s operations and raise any concerns they may have. Emerald is committed to listening to public opinion to ensure the facility operates with accountability and community trust. We are currently developing a system to publish real-time monitoring data, enabling residents and stakeholders to view the facilityis performance.
Co-Benefits for Communities
Emerald Energy from Waste delivers lasting value to local communities by combining responsible waste management with the production of clean energy. By diverting non-recyclable waste away from landfills, Emerald helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoids the environmental and social impacts of long-haul waste transportation. The facility also generates electricity for Ontario’s power grid and provides steam to a local recycled paper mill, in turn decreasing their reliance on fossil fuel-based boilers. Emerald’s redevelopment also creates skilled construction and permanent jobs, strengthening the regional economy and providing opportunities for workers. Together, these benefits make Emerald Energy from Waste an integral partner in building healthier, more resilient communities.
When done right, Energy from Waste is not a threat to public health. Through scientifically backed technology, rigorous environmental monitoring, and transparent community engagement, Emerald demonstrates that cities can manage residual waste responsibly without compromising the air we breathe or the health of our communities. For residents of the Greater Toronto Area, this means peace of mind that their waste is being managed safely, sustainably, and with public health at the forefront.
