Business Details
50 Years
experience
Your Trusted Environmental Services Partner
Emterra Group has been a family-owned leader in environmental stewardship since 1976, transforming waste into resources through innovative recycling and waste reduction programs. Our entrepreneurial spirit drives us to combine cutting-edge technology with decades of experience, delivering cost-effective solutions for residential, business, and municipal clients across Canada and Michigan. With 40 locations and over 1,100 employees, we prioritize safety, sustainability, and community engagement while helping clients achieve zero-waste goals.Our commitment to regenerative economies is demonstrated through our Compressed Natural Gas fleet, electric vehicle adoption, and partnerships that divert 7,800 tractor trailer loads of organics annually. Recognized eight times as Canada's Greenest Employer, we maintain industry certifications and operate with transparency, reinvesting in local communities through our Community Care program while advancing circular economy principles.
Services
Recycling Services
Waste Management
Tire Recycling
Green Products
Compressed Natural Gas Fleet
Municipal Solutions
Product Stewardship
Community Care Program
Material Recovery
Sustainability Consulting
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- 48 years of environmental industry expertise since 1976
- North America's largest fleet of electric waste collection trucks
- Recognized 8 times as Canada's Greenest Employer
- Community Care program supports local sustainability initiatives
- Certified diverse supplier through multiple national councils
Associations and certifications
- WBE Canada
- WEConnect International
- Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
What people say
Environmental leadership
Community engagement
Innovative recycling
Sustainable practices
Reliable services
Services
Recycling Services
We provide comprehensive recycling solutions for residential, commercial, and municipal clients through our network of material recovery facilities. Our advanced sorting technology processes 500,000 tonnes of recyclables annually, transforming waste into valuable resources while maintaining low residue rates. With single-stream recycling capabilities and dedicated collection programs, we help communities achieve higher diversion rates and environmental sustainability goals.
Tire Recycling
Our specialized tire recycling division processes end-of-life tires using proprietary technology that separates rubber, steel, and fiber components. This environmentally responsible process creates crumb rubber products for industrial applications while preventing tire stockpiles from contaminating natural landscapes. The Brampton facility handles both consumer and commercial tire waste through sustainable processing methods that align with circular economy principles.
Green Products
We develop innovative green products from post-consumer materials including Niagara Ecoglass abrasive and ReVital plastic resins. Our closed-loop manufacturing processes transform waste into high-value alternatives for industrial applications, reducing reliance on virgin materials. Product lines include ethanol from liquid waste, non-toxic windshield fluid, and rubber products that meet strict environmental standards while maintaining commercial viability.
Compressed Natural Gas Fleet
Our CNG-powered fleet reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to diesel vehicles while significantly lowering noise pollution. As North America's largest cold-weather CNG fleet operator, we demonstrate environmental leadership through transportation innovation. The fleet supports waste collection programs while contributing to cleaner air quality in the communities we serve.
Community Care Program
This initiative partners with local organizations to create charitable giving programs that promote waste reduction and recycling education. We fund community improvement projects while linking environmental stewardship to social well-being. The program has received multiple awards for its innovative approach to combining corporate responsibility with grassroots environmental education efforts.
People
Emmie Leung
Founder and CEO
Emmie Leung founded Emterra Group in 1976 and has led its transformation from a single cardboard collection truck to a major environmental services enterprise. Recognized as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women, she champions sustainable business practices and innovative waste management solutions while maintaining family ownership values.
Questions
What environmental services does Emterra Group offer?
We provide comprehensive recycling, waste management, tire recycling, and green product development services for residential, commercial, and municipal clients across Canada and Michigan.
How does Emterra contribute to sustainability?
Through our Compressed Natural Gas fleet, electric vehicles, material recovery facilities processing 500,000 tonnes annually, and community sustainability programs that have diverted 7,800 tractor trailer loads of waste from landfills.
What makes Emterra different from other waste management companies?
We combine 48 years of experience with innovative technologies like North America's largest electric waste collection fleet and maintain eight-time recognition as Canada's Greenest Employer.
Can businesses partner with Emterra for sustainability goals?
Yes, we offer customized product stewardship programs and advisory services to help businesses meet environmental regulations while improving their sustainability scorecards through circular economy solutions.
How does Emterra support local communities?
Our Community Care program partners with local organizations to fund environmental initiatives, promote recycling education, and link community health to sustainability efforts across our service areas.
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Reviews (5)
Michael Bowe
Jan 12, 2022
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If this allowed you to leave zero stars, i would. This is the most usless company for recycling pickup. Last week the truck blew by our house, and left our recycling but picking up each neighbor around us. 7 phones calls over the next 3 days and endless promises to send a truck back, one never came. Now yesterday a truck never came to our area, and today i am guessing no one is coming due to snow, even though our garbage and compost was picked up just fine. Now I have 2 weeks worth of recycling and according to the app, i am supposed to just take it back in till next week. What a joke this company
Paul Bittante
Jan 08, 2022
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We have lived in N Van city for over 40 years and have never experience such terrible service from any city services. The city had switched from city collection to Smithrite several years ago and the transition was seamless and efficient. Last year the service was put out to Emterra, and the service has plummeted. Repeated missed pick ups, spillage. The only thing consistent with this service is its inconsistency! We have called numerous times and while they are empathetic and apologetic, the company has done nothing to correct, a very simple problem. If there was a negative rating we would have
K.- Fed
Dec 25, 2021
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They've gotten better at showing up as scheduled. Increased star rating to 3 from 1. Would be nice if they'd take excess recycling. Sometimes our bins are full and I've bagged the excess in clear recycling bags but they won't take it. The last company we used would take it on those occasions.
MaryAnn McDevitt
Dec 13, 2021
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It's amazing I even gave them one star. Emterra is about the worst service I have ever seen. They almost dump more on the lawns and road than in the truck and never bother to clean it up. The employees can't chew gum and think at the same time. One time the truck was so full, they spilled a lot on my neighbour's lawn before they finally realized they had to go empty the truck before they could finish their route. Then then drove over the curb, breaking it and drove off. They stopped picking up glass and couldn't be bothered to tell anyone until we complained. And they can't be bothered to find
Carla Klinksgaard
Mar 18, 2021
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I wish to complain about the recycling service we are receiving. Im getting really sick of cleaning up after them. Please can you address this matter , as it is not the first time I have had to clean up the mess. District of North Vancouver