Emterra’s newly opened $57.5M facility to serve 180,000 households across the Waterloo region

Emterra Environmental officially opened its new Waterloo Region collection facility at 360 Shirley Avenue, a $57.5-million local investment that will create roughly 75 local jobs and serve approximately 180,000 households across the region each week.

In addition to the new facility, Emterra is outfitting the operation with a fleet of low-carbon collection vehicles to better serve the community and reduce emissions. 

Since 1976, Emterra has expanded from a single operation in British Columbia to serving over 10 percent of all households in Canada. Backed by CEO Emmie Leung, the company has maintained a commitment to advancing efficiency during operations and creating new opportunities to better serve its communities. 

The facility is home to Ontario's largest CNG fuelling stations and fleets

The facility is the operating base for Emterra Environmental's waste management services supporting the Waterloo Region and includes one of Ontario's newest and largest compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations and fleets, and a CNG-certified maintenance shop. The heavy-duty collection fleet is made up of lower-carbon CNG trucks anchored by automated side-loaders, which improve efficiency and driver safety, and are accompanied by zero-emissions electric support vehicles.

The heavy-duty collection fleet is made up of 60 vehicles and 35 zero-emission electric support vehicles. The switch from diesel to CNG means that Emterra will avoid current high fuel costs. 

The lower-carbon fleet is expected to avoid approximately 1,660 tonnes of CO2 a year, the equivalent of taking about 360 passenger vehicles off the road.

Emterra held an opening ceremony to celebrate the new facility 

The facility will support Emterra Environmental's collection contract with the Region of Waterloo. Emterra was honoured to welcome provincial officials and representatives of the Region of Waterloo's waste management division to the opening alongside Emterra Environmental leadership and frontline staff.

"Fifty years ago, I started with one truck and a belief that business could be a force for good," said Emmie Leung, founder and CEO of Emterra Group. "As a proudly Canadian, family-owned company, we're continuing to invest in that same belief. This facility, fleet, and team will help us deliver essential services and build a stronger circular economy."

"Behind every collection fleet is a dedicated team of drivers, technicians, supervisors, and support staff committed to serving the community," said Samuel Kukula, district manager, Emterra Environmental. "This facility gives our team the tools, technology, and infrastructure needed to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service every day. We're really proud of this investment and the teams that have helped bring it to life."

"The successful transition to cart-based collection has been a significant milestone for Waterloo Region residents, and today's opening is another important step forward in that work," said Regional Chair Karen Redman. "Emterra's investment in this new facility, lower-carbon fleet, and local workforce strengthens the reliable, modern waste collection service residents count on every week and supports our shared commitment to a more sustainable future."