A project to divert construction materials out of landfills is getting a big money boost.
Insurance provider The Co-operators is giving $350,000 to the Zero Waste Economic Transformation Lab to help with a project led by both the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington.
Madeline Carter, the lab's project lead, said large amounts of construction material is ending up in the landfill, even though some of it can be reused or recycled if separated properly.
Thus, a pilot project is launching this year with AET Group and The Better Bin Company to look at separating construction materials at building sites locally.
"Our pilot project will help build the business case for separating materials on local construction sites using best practices and increase material recycling rates," she said in a news release.
Home builders and contractors are encouraged to participate, and you're asked to contact the Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad, or COIL for more details.
It's the second straight year the insurance agency is providing money for the project.
Last year, an initial $350,000 commitment allowed for the launch of the project and the lab, which is a Smart Cities initiative.
"To reduce what’s going to landfill, we need to find ways to create new value from materials that are currently considered waste while doing so in a way that reduces the carbon footprint of our built environment," said Smart Cities Office executive director David Messer.
"Our research gives us both the material and business perspectives for where waste happens, which will help us make better choices to change the system."
Last year, a pair of research projects identified the impact of construction waste, including variety, quantity and the carbon impact.
It also looked at why construction, renovation and demolition materials have landed in the landfill or recycled.
"As the city and county continue to grow, the work of the Zero Waste Economic Transformation Lab will help us develop sustainably and with less waste," said Guelph mayor Cam Guthrie in a news release. "Co-operators is a circular economy leader in our community, and we sincerely thank them for working with us to find solutions to big challenges that affect us all."
