Key takeaways:
- A Manitoba start-up is one of 18 to receive $100,000 from the federal government to help develop solutions to reduce food waste across the country.
- Gray estimates that after their next pilot project, which will take 16 to 24 months, they will be able to roll out the technology.
- The company completed a “successful” pilot in Pinawa, Manitoba, this summer, carbonizing lawn clippings to make biochar.
A Manitoba start-up is one of 18 that will receive $100,000 from the federal govt to assist in developing food waste reduction remedies across the country.
Carbon Lock Technologies Inc. is developing technology that extracts carbon and other elements from waste and converts it into biochar, which can be re-used in soil.
Terry Gray, co-founder as well as president of Carbon Lock Technologies, said, “We established this business, we had this concept, and the fact that we got recognized… we’re very proud of that.”
“Here’s the federal government telling you, ‘You’ve got a great idea, go for it.’ ‘Here’s some cash; take it.’ It also prepares you for the next phase of the challenge, which will have a bigger impact on us a year from now.”
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According to previous research, nearly half of all food consumed in Canada is wasted each year. Nearly $50 billion worth of usable groceries end up in landfills, where methane is produced.
“By 2030, Canada has pledged to reduce its emissions by 40 to 45 percent.” That’s only eight years away, and given that food waste and organics in landfills account for eight to ten percent of total emissions, we believe we can make a difference,” said Kevin Danner, co-founder, and CEO of Carbon Lock Technologies.
“We must transition to a circular economy.” We’re starting to get some of that circularity in there by taking that food waste, carbonizing it, and then mixing it back into soils to help plants grow again.”
The Manitoba Innovation Growth Program and also the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, according to Danner, are both supporting their work.
“Our goal is to perfect that technology to demonstrate the concept and then scale up across Canada,” Danner said.
Gray estimates that they’ll be able to roll out the technology after their next pilot project in 16 to 24 months.
“From there, the plan is to expand into other municipalities that would most likely want to use this technology across Manitoba or Canada,” Gray explained.
This summer, the company completed a “successful” pilot in Pinawa, Manitoba, carbonizing lawn clippings to make biochar. Gray says they’ll be collaborating with Red River College on some biochar research projects this winter.
“With this technology, we hope to have a significant global impact,” Gray said.
Source: Global News
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