As part of our effort to become carbon neutral, Maple Leaf Foods is investing in important organic waste diversion projects to help neutralize our unavoidable emissions. The projects we support reduce emissions through proper waste management and organic waste diversion from landfill. Landfill waste releases significant amounts of methane gas as it decomposes. We are committed to supporting three different projects that encourage proper organic waste diversion, reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and prevent gas emissions through composting.
Waste diversion projects we support
In Ontario, we support the Hamilton Central Composting Facility which processes 60,000 tonnes per year of source-separated organics (SSO) producing over 10,000 tonnes of valuable category A compost through the use of large, climate-controlled vessels.
CSA Group certifies The Hamilton Central Composting Facility project.
We also support Energy Efficiency and Solid Waste Diversion Activities within the Quebec Sustainable Community. This project includes several micro-projects spearheaded by different non-profits and municipalities in Quebec.
The micro-projects include landfill diversion, landfill avoidance of residual waste, as well as, geothermal and energy efficiency projects. For example, one Quebec community micro-project supports the recovery of urban biomass, composting of organic waste, and recycling of paper and cardboard, to ensure a better management of residual materials. This has led to a significant reduction of GHG emissions on the territory of the Municipalité Régionale de Comté Les Basques.
Verified Carbon Standard certifies the Energy Efficiency and Solid Waste Diversion Activities project.
In 2020, we will support GEC Organics – a 70-acre site in Southern Alabama for the production of an all-natural soil amendment. Soil amendments are materials added to soil to improve its physical and chemical properties.
GEC Organics receives chicken manure from local companies as a raw material and soil amendment to produce a high-potency organic compost that is pathogen free and odourless. The use of the organic soil amendment can help farmers dramatically improve the quality and health of their soil and crops, and can be used in home gardens, landscaping and potted plants. This GEC Organics project is certified by the Gold Standard.
Our project support also includes renewable energy, landfill and biomass, and forestry.
