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Alta. announces $58M for circular economy projects in public and private sector

EDMONTON — The Government of Alberta is advancing the province’s position in the circular economy by committing $58 million through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to projects across the province worth $528 million in public and private investment. All funding is sourced from the province’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund.

Producing fertilizer for farmers, recycling asphalt from roof shingles, sequestering carbon in concrete, and novel plastics recycling are some examples of the technology solutions receiving funding through ERA’s Circular Economy Challenge.

If successful, these projects will result in cumulative greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of up to 4 million tonnes by 2050 — equal to offsetting the GHG footprint of 1 million homes. Circular Economy Challenge Funding is expected to create 1835 person-year jobs* in Alberta and have a $350 million GDP impact in the province by 2025.

The investment aligns with provincial initiatives including the proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approach, the agricultural plastics recycling initiative, and the Natural Gas Vision and Strategy’s goal to establish Alberta as a centre for plastics diversion and recycling.

“Advancing technology solutions that support a circular economy makes good environmental and economic sense. Circular Economy Challenge projects supported by the TIER fund will help keep valuable materials in the economy and out of landfills, which drives investment, bolsters economic activity, cuts emissions, and creates jobs. It’s a win across the board,” says Sonya Savage, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

“A more sustainable, diversified provincial economy requires using our resources more wisely, we need to think about waste as a resource rather than a cost. This investment in converting waste into other uses is going to make a real difference,” says Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta.

Companies receiving support include Northstar Clean Technologies Inc., Sparks Eggs, Rimrock Renewables LP., Hydrovac Waste Solutions Ltd., Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Phyto Organix Foods Inc., Suncor Energy Inc., INCA Renewtech, Circular Rubber Technologies Inc., RBW Waste Management Ltd.