The federal government and Quebec are investing nearly $26.5-million in new biomethanization and composting facilities to be built at a landfill in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès.
The project, with an estimated total cost of over $75.7 million, will be led by waste management company Énercycle. It includes a connection to the biogas treatment and purification system, which will enable biomethane to be injected into the gas network.
The project will also make it possible to collect organic waste from industrial, commercial and institutional sources in the region.
In addition to diverting approximately 35,000 tonnes of organic matter from disposal per year, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,286 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year, provincial officials announced.
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A wastewater treatment plant will also be installed on site. The facility, which is scheduled for commissioning in autumn 2026, will eventually produce over 1.2 million m³ of biomethane for injection into the Énergir network.
“Quebec is firmly committed to transforming its economy to make it more low-carbon and to actively combat climate change within its borders,” announced Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Benoit Charette. “This is true in all strategic sectors, such as waste management, where we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.”
London, Ontario-based Convertus Group has announced plans to partner with energy services company Énergère for the construction of the new Énercycle organic waste recovery centre, which will serve a significant portion of the population in the Mauricie region, including the urban communities of Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan, as well as Mékinac, Maskinongé and Des Chenaux.
“We are excited to contribute to the sustainability goals of Mauricie Region’s communities by providing an innovative organic waste management solution,” announced Michael Leopold, CEO of Convertus Group. “Our full-service approach to designing, constructing and operating new organic waste processing facilities across North America ensures maximum resource recovery while minimizing environmental impact.”
According to RECYC-QUÉBEC’s latest report, organic waste accounts for around 45% of the 6.2 million tonnes of residual materials disposed of every year in Quebec. The residual materials sector is the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Quebec, emitting around 4.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.
