Peel Region and Emterra Group Launch Ontario's First Fully Electric Waste Collection Vehicle

BRAMPTON, ON (October 10) – Emterra Group and Peel Region have taken an innovative step toward a greener and more sustainable future with the launch of Ontario's first fully electric waste collection vehicle. Starting this Fall, the vehicle will collect recyclable, waste, and organic items from Peel homes with the added benefits of improved air quality, reduced noise pollution and zero carbon emission.

Paulina Leung, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emterra Group, spoke of the joint initiative at a launch event in Mississauga. "This pilot project is a direct result of Emterra Group’s and Peel Region's shared commitment to solutions that benefit the environment, workers, and the community. Together, with Mack Trucks, we are transitioning to a future where we use cleaner forms energy to collect solid waste in Ontario and beyond. Using clean energy to power a circular economy is the next logical step in our shared climate action goals."

Emterra Group and Peel Region say this new vehicle aims to test and promote low carbon energy as a viable solution for waste collection infrastructure. By embracing this technology, Emterra Group and Peel Region are demonstrating their collective commitment to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

"Today, we take a significant step towards a greener and cleaner future for our community," said Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management for Peel Region. "The launch of Ontario's first fully electric collection vehicle in Peel Region is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and a healthier environment for our residents and workers. We are excited to lead by example and hope it inspires others to follow suit."

Emterra Group currently operates 150 waste collection vehicles across Peel Region, most of which are powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by as much as 20% compared to diesel.

Adding to this fleet, the Mack Low Ride (LR) Electric vehicle is equipped with an automated side-loader and will operate in residential areas. The LR Electric vehicle offers a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity for 42 percent more energy and an increased range between vehicle charges. The twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower.

Its fast-charging capabilities ensure minimal downtime, allowing it to cover collection routes efficiently. The vehicle has a much quieter operation during collection hours and will also vastly decrease air and noise pollution, providing a cleaner and more peaceful living environment for the community.

The Mack LR Electric is a game-changer," says Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. "What makes it ideally suited for residential waste collection is a two-stage regenerative braking system that helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day, even with an increasing load. Mack is proud to be partnering with Emterra and the Region of Peel to help them achieve their sustainability goals. 

"At the heart of this incredible piece of engineering are four cutting-edge NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries. It is a powerful truck with an extended range through twin electric motors that instantly unleash 4,051 pounds-feet of peak torque."

With the use of the Mack LR Electric vehicle, Emterra Group is adding to its decades-long record of being an early adopter of the latest lower carbon collection technologies that reinforce a circular economy. The pilot also has a mission beyond residential collection. During this next stage of fleet electrification, Emterra Group and Peel Region have teamed up with the Smart Freight Centre, to evaluate what equipment, charging infrastructure and approaches are best suited to the operational needs of a fully electric vehicle. The project will provide key data on the material aspects of future electric vehicle deployment for municipal and private fleets, including equipment performance, climate insights, driver feedback and community response.

"Canada's climate is unique, with sweltering summers and frigid winters," says CSO, Paulina Leung. "The Smart Freight Centre will work with us to monitor and evaluate comprehensive data from this pilot and assess its impact. This project aims to inform municipal and private fleet operators on future fleet electrification, air quality improvement, and noise reduction.

"Following years of dedicated research and development, this pilot project is a direct result of Emterra Group’s and Peel Region's commitment to low carbon solutions that benefit both the environment and the community. Together, we aim to make a beneficial impact on our environment and our planet and help expedite the transition to the next generation of collection services and infrastructure. Each electric vehicle on the road represents less reliance on fossil fuels and cleaner air for people."

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About Emterra Group:

Emterra Group is on a mission to be a leader in creating and delivering products and services that enable people and businesses to become stewards of the environment and the future. Emterra Group is a leader in providing circular solutions, integrated recycling, and waste management solutions to the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors and municipalities throughout Canada and the state of Michigan.

As a family owned and operated company, Emterra Group is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for waste resource recovery. We combine experience, innovation and leading-edge technology to design and deliver cost-effective recycling and waste reduction programs and advisory services.

From the early days of just one employee, to an international enterprise of more than 1,100 employees, 40 locations and six distinct divisions (reFUSE, Emterra Environmental, Emterra Environmental USA, Emterra Tire Recycling, Canadian Liquids Processing, and Ryse Solutions), we are dedicated to our people and to providing the very best service to our customers and the communities that we work with.

At Emterra Group, we transform waste into resources. With operations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as the State of Michigan, we are committed to expanding our reach, leading by example and laying the ground work for our customers to set and achieve their own circular economy goals.

For more information about Emterra Group, visit our website at https://www.emterra.ca/

Media contact

Sangeeta Sundaresan 
Communication Specialist 
Region of Peel