Urban Impact Recycling Ltd.

What Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. does

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. is a privately held, BC-based waste management company founded in 1990 (originally as Project Recycle) by Nicole Stefenelli and Rod Nicolls and headquartered at 5 Capilano Way, New Westminster. It provides integrated recycling, secure shredding, garbage collection, roll-off bin rental, waste auditing, zero-waste consulting, product destruction, and waste-to-energy routing to commercial, institutional, retail, hospitality, multi-family, manufacturing, and government customers across the Lower Mainland from Whistler to Chilliwack, supported by 7,500+ pickup locations.

The operating backbone is an owned two-facility footprint in New Westminster — a Materials Recovery Facility that processes source-separated and single-stream recyclables (paper, cardboard, glass, metal, rigid and soft plastics, organics) and an adjacent Spruce Street trucking depot — together with a proprietary fleet that includes collection trucks with on-vehicle bin-washing systems, low-profile compact trucks engineered for below-ground bin rooms, mobile pierce-and-tear shredding trucks, roll-off trucks, and a Peterbilt 579EV electric tractor. A Navusoft-based Customer Portal handles self-serve account management, while a 2025-launched Project Re-Bounce program extends into South Vancouver Island with Capital Regional District support.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring subscription contracts priced by bin size, frequency, and number of locations, supplemented by one-time product destruction jobs, fee-based waste audits and consulting, beverage-container rebates, and event-driven charity Shred Days. Free services extended to 35+ registered charities are cross-subsidized by commercial revenue, and the company monetizes community goodwill through brand visibility, referral pipelines, and ESG-aligned account retention rather than as a direct revenue stream.

Name

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd.

Legal name

Urban Impact

Website

https://urbanimpact.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. is a privately held, New Westminster-based waste management company serving commercial, institutional, retail, hospitality, multi-family, and government customers across BC's Lower Mainland with integrated recycling, secure shredding, garbage, roll-off, and zero-waste consulting services via an owned fleet and on-site Materials Recovery Facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management & Recycling Services

NAICS

Solid Waste Collection (562111), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Waste Collection (56211)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris Recycling (IMAIAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

C&D Waste Collection, Hauling & Container Services (Roll-off/Dumpsters) (EUAIAHAA), On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated) (BPABALAB)

Keywords

• Commercial recycling services
• Document shredding services
• Waste management solutions
• Materials recovery facility
• Secure destruction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Hill

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Recycling Collection Services: Recurring scheduled collection of cardboard, office paper, organics, single-stream, mixed containers, beverage containers, Styrofoam, batteries, e-waste, and small appliances from commercial, institutional, and residential customers. Revenue generated through service fees tied to bin size, service frequency, and number of locations.
2. Secure Shredding Services: On-site mobile shredding, off-site shredding, hard drive shredding, and confidential document destruction services. Includes Certificate of Destruction for compliance records. Both one-time and recurring subscription models available.
3. Waste/Garbage Collection: Collection of non-recyclable waste streams, including roll-off bin rentals for construction, demolition, and industrial projects with 10- to 40-yard capacity bins.
4. Charitable Recycling Program: Free recycling services (up to $75/month per charity) provided to registered charities. In 2025 Urban Impact provided over $50,000 in free recycling services to charities. Revenue from commercial customers cross-subsidizes this community program.
5. Waste Audits and Consulting: Fee-based waste audits, waste consulting, and zero waste program design services for commercial and institutional customers seeking to optimize diversion and reduce costs.
6. Product Destruction: Destruction of end-of-life or recalled products, typically one-time or periodic service for manufacturers and retailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. provides commercial recycling collection, secure document and hard drive shredding, waste/garbage collection, and zero waste consulting services to businesses, institutions, and multi-family buildings across British Columbia's Lower Mainland. The company operates its own Materials Recovery Facility in New Westminster for single-stream processing and runs a branded fleet of collection trucks, including a Peterbilt 579EV electric vehicle, with a concierge service model offering free site visits, custom program design, and account management.

Product overview

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. is a British Columbia-based waste management company offering a comprehensive suite of services organized around three core pillars: Recycling Services (cardboard, paper, organics, containers, e-waste), Shredding Services (document and hard drive destruction), and Zero Waste Solutions (consulting and waste management). The company operates proprietary equipment including Roll Off Bins and Low Profile Compact Trucks, and provides a Customer Portal digital platform for account management. Community programs include Community Shredding Events, Project Re-Bounce sporting equipment diversion, a Waste & Recycling Educational Program for schools, Charitable Giving, and Indigenous Initiatives. The company also offers Waste Audits, Product Destruction, and Waste-to-Energy services for materials that cannot be recycled. All services are delivered through a network of operating teams and two facilities in the Lower Mainland (New Westminster Plant and Spruce Street facility), with a fleet of vehicles including a recently acquired electric Peterbilt 579EV.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recycling Services Comprehensive recycling collection services for businesses including cardboard, office paper, organics, single-stream, mixed containers, beverage containers, Styrofoam, batteries, and e-waste. Services scale for any business size with customizable collection schedules and bin sizes.
• Shredding Services Secure document and media destruction services including one-time shredding, hard drive shredding, and recurring shredding. Services include on-site mobile shredding and off-site facility destruction with chain-of-custody documentation and certificates of destruction for compliance with HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA.
• Garbage/Waste Collection Waste collection services for businesses with a range of collection options suited to customer requirements, including garbage collection alongside recycling services.
• Zero Waste Solutions Comprehensive consulting and services for waste, recycling, shredding, reporting, and auditing needs. Helps customers minimize environmental impact and achieve zero waste goals through expert advice and full-service waste management strategies.
• Roll Off Bins Heavy-duty open-top waste containers available in 10- to 40-yard capacities for construction, demolition, commercial cleanouts, and industrial waste, delivered with roll off bin trucks for rapid deployment and efficient removal.
• Low Profile Compact Trucks

Quantifiable outcome

• 17 trees saved per tonne of paper recycled
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation (RCHF)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Urban Impact has been a returning golf hole sponsor at the Making the Cut Charity Golf Classic, hosted by the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. RCHF raises funds for trauma care, cardiac care, neurosciences, high-risk maternity, and neonatal intensive care at BC's essential medical centre. The tournament has raised nearly $700,000 over 12 years.
• Vancouver International Airport and Musqueam NationstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, Urban Impact is facilitating a two-day Knowledge Transfer Workshop with Vancouver International Airport and the Musqueam Nation. The workshop gives Indigenous workers a firsthand view of employment opportunities in an operating business, covering vocational trucks, logistics, route planning, material processing, and corporate administration. First offered to Musqueam band members.
• Capital Regional DistrictcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Capital Regional District provided vital backing for Project Re-Bounce expansion across South Vancouver Island in 2025. Tony Gooch spearheaded the initiative with CRD support, enabling collection at 14 participating facilities in Victoria and surrounding region.
• Project Re-Bounce (Karen Levine)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Karen Levine, a racquet sports enthusiast, partnered with Urban Impact in 2021 to scale Project Re-Bounce — an initiative diverting end-of-life tennis, squash, and pickleball balls from landfills. Urban Impact leverages its dedicated routes directed to Metro Vancouver's Burnaby Waste-to-Energy facility to collect and divert sporting equipment. The program has expanded to 15+ sports facilities and retail outlets across BC including Lower Mainland, Victoria, Sunshine Coast, Squamish, and BC interior.
• Metro VancouvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro Vancouver's Solid Waste team collaborates with Urban Impact on Project Re-Bounce, directing collected sports equipment to the Waste-to-Energy facility. Metro Vancouver's Coquitlam Transfer Station is also included as a tour destination in the Waste & Recycling Educational Program, giving students a view of regional waste transfer infrastructure.
• 35+ Local Registered Charities (Charitable Giving Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUrban Impact provides free monthly recycling services (up to $75/month) to 35+ registered charities including A Loving Spoonful, Alzheimer Society of BC, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC, Habitat For Humanity, and others. Recipients include healthcare, community services, education, and sports organizations.
• Charitable Shred Event Partners (annual)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual shredding events partner with local charities including VisionQuest Recovery Society, Communitas, White Rock RCMP, Laura Secord Elementary School, PADS, 828 Hurricane Royal Air Cadets Squadron, and Burnaby Winter Club. Urban Impact provides truck, driver, and equipment at no cost; charities raise funds per box shredded.
• ShareWaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareWares provides reusable cups and takeout containers for events using a scannable QR code deposit-return system. Urban Impact has referenced ShareWares as a best practice example for zero waste events and sustainable event management.
• Sustainable FoxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Fox connects local businesses and organizations in Victoria BC to help make events Zero Waste. Urban Impact has featured Sustainable Fox as a partner in zero waste event best practices discussions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Waste Management Inc. North America's largest waste management company, operating comprehensive collection, recycling, and disposal services across the continent. Sets industry pricing benchmarks and sustainability expectations that smaller regional players like Urban Impact must meet to remain competitive.
• Iron Mountain Incorporated: Global information management and secure shredding services provider. Competes with Urban Impact in document destruction and product destruction services for enterprise customers, with broader records storage offerings.
• GFL Environmental Inc. One of the largest diversified environmental services companies in Canada, providing solid waste, recycling, and soil remediation across virtually every province. Operates competing hauling and recycling services in Metro Vancouver, representing the most direct incumbent threat to Urban Impact's commercial accounts.
• Republic Services, Inc. One of the largest U.S. environmental services companies, providing solid waste and recycling collection services to commercial and residential customers. While primarily U.S.-focused, represents the broad-incumbent competitive model that Urban Impact must differentiate against.
• Waste Connections: Major North American solid waste services company with significant British Columbia operations acquired through the Progressive Waste Solutions merger. Competes with Urban Impact for ICI and municipal collection contracts in the Lower Mainland with substantially greater fleet density and capital base.

Direct peers

• Cascades Recovery: Division of Cascades Inc. operating MRFs and recycled fiber collection across Canada. Comparable vertically integrated recycler with similar source-separated and mixed recyclables processing capabilities, though at substantially larger scale.
• Emterra Group: Canadian family-owned recycling and waste management company offering curbside recycling, MRF operations, organics processing, and commercial waste services across multiple provinces. Directly comparable mid-sized Canadian peer with similar vertically integrated recycling business model.
• Shred-it (Stericycle): North America's largest document destruction service with mobile on-site shredding capabilities and recurring service contracts — directly competing with Urban Impact's secure shredding revenue stream across commercial and institutional customers.

Regional players

• Miller Waste Systems: Ontario-based waste management company with vertically integrated collection, transfer station, and recycling operations. Comparable regional Canadian peer of similar size and ownership structure (family-owned), though operating in a different geographic market.
• ABC Recycling Ltd. British Columbia-based scrap metal and recycling company headquartered in Burnaby. Regional peer in the Lower Mainland with adjacent metals recycling focus and overlapping commercial customer base, though operating in a different primary commodity stream.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-impact-recycling-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Impact Recycling Ltd.