#Canada #Calgary #Waste Management #NorthStar

Northstar Clean Technologies Secures Major Contract with City of Calgary

In a significant development for waste management and recycling, Northstar Clean Technologies Inc., a Canadian innovator, has announced it has officially entered into a five-year contractual agreement with the City of Calgary. This partnership will primarily focus on the processing and reprocessing of asphalt shingles, which is a crucial step in the collective movement towards sustainability and circular economy practices.

Overview of the Contract

The contract, set to commence in April 2026, aligns perfectly with Calgary's plan to relaunch its Shingles Recycling Program. Under this agreement, Northstar will accept all asphalt shingles collected from the city's various waste management facilities, including Spy Hill, East Calgary, and Shepard. The aim of this collaboration is not only operational efficiency but also to substantially meet waste diversion objectives set by the city, which aims to reduce the number of construction-related materials ending up in local landfills.

Pioneering Sustainable Practices

The contract strengthens Northstar’s pre-existing supply agreements with notable companies such as IKO Industries Ltd and Ecco Recycling Energy Corporation, further enhancing their robust supply chain. This innovative venture marks a pioneering move for cities across Canada in recycling efforts, as it establishes a concrete example of shifting from traditional waste management to a circular economy solution. This method includes the recycling of waste shingles into reusable industrial products, which is a landmark step forward in environmental innovation.

Comments from Leadership

Aidan Mills, President and CEO of Northstar, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in the company by Calgary. He emphasized that this contract represents the beginning of a fruitful relationship designed to expedite waste diversion strategies significantly. With the additional supply from their partners, Northstar assures that it has more than enough feedstock to operate efficiently, processing around 40,000 tonnes annually in a single shift.

Opening a New Facility

The announcement coincided with the grand opening of Northstar's Empower Calgary facility, hailed as one of the first commercial-scale asphalt shingle recovery and reprocessing plants in North America. This facility is a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability, utilizing their patented Bitumen Extraction Separation Technology (BEST). Designed to process up to 80,000 tonnes of asphalt shingles each year, the facility illustrates the potential to transform waste into valuable, reusables like liquid asphalt and aggregate for construction industry use.

Job Creation and Economic Growth

Potent as it is in promoting sustainability, the Empower facility will create local job opportunities with plans to employ around 30 full-time staff members. The successful collaboration with local engineering firms and support from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) through significant funding has enabled this shift from concept to operational reality, fostering economic growth while tackling environmental concerns.

Justin Riemer, CEO of ERA, described the collaboration as a flagship investment that exemplifies how public-private partnerships can stimulate industrial decarbonization and job creation.

A Model for the Future

The Northstar-City of Calgary partnership not only aims to meet local waste management needs but also sets a precedent for municipalities across North America seeking sustainable waste diversion solutions. With ambitions in various sectors aligning towards the 2030 emissions reduction targets, this project stands at the forefront of reshaping how construction and demolition waste is treated.

In conclusion, this agreement showcases the alignment of environmental responsibility with economic opportunity, illustrating how innovative approaches to waste recycling can create new frameworks for urban sustainability. Through such initiatives, Northstar and the City of Calgary are paving the way for leadership in the circular economy and solidifying Alberta’s reputation in driving innovation within waste management practices.