Emterra Group

What Emterra Group does

Emterra Group is a privately held, family-owned Canadian resource recovery company founded in 1976 in Vancouver by Emmie Leung. Headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, the company operates across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Michigan through five core divisions: Emterra Environmental (collection and recycling), Emterra Tire Recycling, Canadian Liquids Processors (liquid product destruction and ethanol recovery), Ryse Solutions (Producer Responsibility Organization), and Emterra Environmental USA. The platform is vertically integrated, with 1,100+ employees, 40+ locations, 600+ collection vehicles, 19 Material Recovery Facilities processing approximately 500,000 tonnes of recyclables annually, and specialty processing assets including a tire facility achieving 96% material recovery and a Hamilton, Ontario liquids facility converting waste beverages into ethanol and biodegradable windshield washer fluid under the Transformations™ brand.

Revenue is generated through a mix of long-term municipal contracts, commercial and industrial service agreements, EPR/PRO fees, specialty processing fees (tire recycling, liquid product destruction), commodity brokering, and product sales of bins, containers, compactors, and Transformations™ windshield washer fluid. Customer segments include residential households (served via municipal contracts), municipal governments (curbside collection, processing, and EPR programs), industrial-commercial-institutional customers (restaurants, retail, manufacturing, offices, multi-family), tire producers and retailers (RPRA compliance via Ryse Solutions), and beverage/CPG manufacturers (confidential liquid destruction).

The operating model is differentiated by alternative-fuel fleet leadership: 35% of the 550-vehicle fleet runs on Compressed Natural Gas, and the company launched the largest electric collection fleet in North America in 2024 in Comox Valley, BC in partnership with BC Hydro. Distribution is direct via field sales to municipalities and ICI customers, supported by an online product catalog and an e-commerce storefront for bins, compactors, and Transformations™ products. The company has remained founder-controlled for five decades, with no institutional investors or PE/VC ownership disclosed, and no public revenue or financial filings.

Name

Emterra Group

Legal name

Emterra Group

Website

https://emterra.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management & Recycling Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Waste Collection (56211), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) & Single-Stream Recycling Processing (IMAIAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Used Oil, Lubricants & Industrial Fluids Recovery/Recycling (IMAIAFAM), Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL), Recycling & E-Waste Collection/Hauling (HSAKALAJ), Scrap Collection, Brokerage & Trading (Dealers, Aggregators, Exporters) (EUAIAJAH)

Keywords

• Waste management services
• Recycling collection
• Material recovery facilities
• Tire recycling services
• Producer responsibility compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Waste Collection Services: Curbside collection services for homes providing recycling, organics, and garbage collection across Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Revenue generated through municipal contracts and residential service fees.
2. Commercial and Industrial (ICI) Services: Dual-stream and multi-stream recycling collection, organics collection, bin rentals, and waste stream audits for commercial properties, manufacturing sites, and industrial facilities across Canada. Revenue from service contracts and bin rental fees.
3. Municipal Solutions and Contracts: Comprehensive waste management programs for municipalities including curbside collection, hauling, transfer, processing, recycling programs, and public education support. Revenue from long-term municipal service agreements.
4. Tire Recycling Services: Collection, processing, and compliance reporting for end-of-life tires in Ontario. Ryse Solutions provides producer responsibility services supporting Ontario tire producers with RPRA compliance, reporting, and collection through an integrated approach.
5. Liquid Product Destruction: Confidential destruction services for beverage manufacturers and alcohol-based CPG brands managing expired, recalled, damaged, or unsellable inventory. Processing converts liquids into ethanol and windshield washer fluid while recycling packaging materials.
6. Product Sales: Sale of recycling containers (totes, bins, carts), front end bins, roll off bins, compactors, Transformations brand windshield washer fluid made from recovered ethanol, and commodity ethanol.
7. Commodities Brokering: Finding and developing stable, environmentally-sound markets for a wide range of recycled commodities. The materials marketing team connects processed recyclables with strong, stable end markets across Canada, the U.S., and internationally, managing logistics and sales of baled fibre, plastics, metals, and specialty materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Emterra Group is a vertically integrated Canadian resource recovery company that provides waste collection, recycling, and processing services to municipalities, businesses, and households across Canada and Michigan. The company operates 19 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), 600+ collection vehicles, and four specialized processing divisions (Emterra Environmental for general recycling; Emterra Tire Recycling; Canadian Liquids Processors for liquid destruction and ethanol recovery; and Ryse Solutions as a multi-material Producer Responsibility Organization). It also sells proprietary hardware products (bins, compactors) and circular-economy products such as Transformations™ ethanol-based windshield washer fluid.

Product overview

Emterra Group is a Canadian family-owned resource recovery company offering an integrated portfolio of waste management and recycling services. The platform encompasses collection services for homes, businesses, and municipalities; equipment products (front end bins, roll off bins, compactors, totes and baskets); specialized processing divisions (Emterra Tire Recycling, Canadian Liquids Processors, Ryse Solutions); and circular economy products (Transformations™ ethanol-based windshield washer fluid, recovered ethanol). The core Emterra Environmental division operates 19 MRFs, 40+ facilities, and 600+ vehicles, while subsidiary divisions handle specialized streams including tire recycling (96% material recovery), liquid product destruction with chain-of-custody documentation, and producer responsibility compliance services. The portfolio is unified by a commitment to resource recovery and circular economy outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emterra Tire Recycling: Tire recycling services including collection, processing, and material recovery for rubber, steel, and fibre from end-of-life tires in Ontario.
• Canadian Liquids Processors
• Ryse Solutions
• Transformations™
• Community Care™
• Emterra Clean Community Cup™

Products and services

• Material Recovery and Processing Services Operating 19 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across Canada and Michigan that sort, separate, and process recyclable materials using advanced optical, mechanical, and density-based technologies for municipal and commercial customers. Material is baled and marketed to end markets across Canada, the U.S., and internationally.
• Recycling Collection Services Residential, commercial, and municipal recycling collection services designed to reduce contamination and keep materials in the circular economy, delivered through municipal contracts and direct commercial agreements across BC, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Michigan.
• Residential Curbside Collection Curbside collection services for households providing recycling, organics, and garbage pickup across Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, including up-to-date collection calendars and recycling education.
• Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Waste Services Dual-stream and multi-stream recycling, organics collection, and bin rental services for commercial properties, manufacturing facilities, industrial sites, restaurants, retail, offices, and multi-family properties across Canada.
• Organics Collection Services Food waste, leaf, and yard material collection for multi-family properties, commercial kitchens, institutions, and industrial sites, with material routed for composting to meet provincial organics requirements.
• Liquid Product Destruction Services Confidential liquid product destruction services for beverage manufacturers and alcohol-based CPG brands managing expired, recalled, damaged, or unsellable inventory, with documented chain of custody and Certificates of Destruction. Processed liquids are converted into ethanol and biodegradable windshield washer fluid.
• Emterra Tire Recycling Services End-of-life tire collection, hauling, and processing services across Ontario producing crumb rubber, steel, and fibre, with an emission-free process guaranteeing 96% material recovery. Outputs are sold for manufacturing, flooring, mulch, and playground surfaces.
• Producer Responsibility Services (Ryse Solutions) EPR compliance services supporting Ontario producers with packaging, tire, and other regulated materials, providing regulatory navigation, reporting, and integrated collection through a registered Producer Responsibility Organization.
• Material Hauling and Transfer Services Consolidated hauling and transfer services for waste, recycling, and organics, including operational planning and reliable logistics for material movement to processing or disposal facilities.
• Waste Stream Audit Services Business waste stream audits for industrial, commercial, and institutional customers that identify materials for recovery, recycling, and diversion from landfill, producing custom work plans to boost diversion and improve environmental performance.
• Commodities Brokering Services Finding and developing stable, environmentally-sound markets for a wide range of recycled commodities including baled fibre, plastics, metals, and specialty materials across Canada, the U.S., and internationally. Connects processed recyclables with strong, stable end markets and manages logistics and sales.
• Live Event Waste Services Strategic waste management planning and collection services for special events including tournaments, festivals, concerts, and farmers' markets, covering waste, recycling, and compost removal with flexible scheduling.
• Facilities Collection Services Customized waste, recycling, and organics collection programs for public facilities including schools, recreation centres, and government buildings, with streamlined collection across multi-site municipal portfolios.
• Front End Bins Front-loading waste bins designed for businesses with steady, day-to-day waste generation requiring reliable scheduled collection. Available in 2-8 cubic yard sizes for restaurants, retail, offices, industrial sites, and multi-family properties.
• Roll Off Bins Open-top bins for construction waste, bulky debris, and site cleanup, available in 14-40 yard sizes for construction, demolition, commercial cleanups, and industrial sites with temporary or high-capacity waste needs.
• Compactors Commercial waste compactors that reduce waste volume up to a 4:1 ratio, lowering pickup frequency and controlling overflow. Available in 2-10+ cubic yard sizes for retail, industrial, multi-family, and high-volume sites.
• Totes and Bins Recycling totes, bins, and carts for municipal curbside programs and commercial recycling operations, available in 65-gallon and 95-gallon sizes with UV-stabilized HDPE plastic construction, compatible with automated and semi-automated collection systems.
• Transformations™ Windshield Washer Fluid Bio-based ethanol windshield washer fluid made from recovered post-consumer liquid streams. Rated to -40°C for Canadian fleet use, biodegradable and non-toxic, zero methanol formulation, available in 1000L totes and 4L jugs.
• Recovered Ethanol Ethanol produced from distilled liquid food and beverage waste at Emterra's Canadian Liquids Processors facility; a 100% bio-mass driven sustainable product that supports the circular economy by transforming liquid waste into usable energy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 189,711,328 metric tonnes of waste diverted
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.

• Merlin PlasticskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership spanning 20+ years where Merlin Plastics purchases 100% of sorted plastics generated from Emterra's material recovery facility in Delta, BC. This strategic relationship ensures stable end markets for Emterra's recycled plastics.
• BC HydrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to develop an on-site charging station for Emterra's electric fleet in Comox Valley, BC. BC Hydro designed the system with smart power management that prevents grid overload, supporting both environmental goals and regional energy reliability.
• Cummins Westport Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for CNG fleet operations, helping Emterra successfully operate the largest fleet of CNG collection trucks in the world in extreme cold weather climate conditions in Winnipeg, MB since 2012.
• Shred-ItminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSemi-annual Shred-a-Thon event partnership in Chilliwack, BC where Shred-It provides secure document shredding services as part of the community event.
• Salvation Army (Chilliwack)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Shred-a-Thon events where attendees are encouraged to bring food or monetary donations for the local Salvation Army chapter.
• The WRENCH (Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-time supporter of western Canada's largest community bike shop, helping expand access to affordable bikes, repair services, and cycling education through Cycle of Giving and Bike Bazaars programs.
• Circular MaterialskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario's Producer Responsibility Organization executing 948 collection contracts as part of the Blue Box program transition. Emterra and other waste operators have secured new collection contracts as municipalities transition out of recycling management.
• GFL EnvironmentalminorOthersCompetitor/waste operator mentioned alongside Emterra in Ontario Blue Box EPR transition context, both having secured new collection contracts as municipalities transition out of recycling management.
• Miller Waste SystemsminorOthersCompetitor/waste operator mentioned alongside Emterra in Ontario Blue Box EPR transition context, both having secured new collection contracts as municipalities transition out of recycling management.
• WM of CanadaminorOthersCompetitor/waste operator mentioned alongside Emterra in Ontario Blue Box EPR transition context, both having secured new collection contracts as municipalities transition out of recycling management.
• Peterborough PetesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHockey team partnership for the Emterra Clean Community Cup (ECCC) program, an eco-warrior challenge for minor hockey teams to participate in community clean-ups.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Clean Harbors, Inc. Clean Harbors is a major North American provider of environmental and industrial services, including hazardous waste management. Comparable in environmental services breadth and ability to manage specialized waste streams.
• Republic Services, Inc. Republic Services is one of the largest US-based waste and recycling companies. While primarily US-focused, it represents a comparable recycling/collections platform and an indirect competitor in NA commodity markets.

Direct peers

• Waste Management, Inc. (WM): WM is the largest NA waste management company with collection, recycling, and disposal services. WM of Canada directly competes with Emterra for Ontario municipal contracts under the Blue Box EPR transition.
• GFL Environmental Inc. GFL is a Canadian-founded, North American waste management and environmental services company with collection, recycling, and disposal operations across Canada — directly competing with Emterra for municipal and ICI contracts in Ontario, BC, and other provinces.
• Waste Connections, Inc. Waste Connections is a large NA solid waste services provider with significant Canadian operations, competing directly with Emterra in collection, recycling, and transfer/disposal services.
• ReCommunity Holdings: ReCommunity is one of the largest independent MRF operators in North America, focused on recycling processing and commodity sales. Directly comparable to Emterra's 19-MRF Material Recovery Facility operations.
• Miller Waste Systems: Miller is a Canadian-owned competitor in municipal and commercial waste collection, recycling, and organics processing, competing head-to-head with Emterra in Ontario and other provinces.

Regional players

• Arlès (formerly Recyc‑Québec operators) / GreenWaste Recovery: GreenWaste Recovery is a vertically integrated waste and recycling services company operating primarily in California. Similar vertically integrated collection, MRF processing, and organics diversion model — though focused on the US West Coast.
• Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Casella is a vertically integrated solid waste, recycling, and resource management services provider in the northeastern US. Comparable vertically integrated recycling/collection model, though operating in a different geography.

Emerging players

• Circular Materials: Circular Materials is Ontario's Producer Responsibility Organization executing 948 Blue Box collection contracts. As a Ryse Solutions partner/competitor in EPR compliance, it directly intersects Emterra's PRO and recycling services business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EmterraGroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emterra-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/emterragroup
• Xx.com/emterragroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 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 Emterra Group