Robotic garbage sorter to eliminate tonnes of waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
March 7, 2019
Government of Canada invests in clean technology for waste management
March 7, 2019 — Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Across Canada, clean technology companies are supporting growth and creating jobs in all industries, while helping to protect our environment. It is clear the future of innovation is in cleantech. The Government of Canada is making cleantech a priority in order to secure Canada’s international leadership position in this fast-growing market.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced an investment of $1.4 million in Waste Robotics. The funding is being provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), which works with Canadian companies to bring clean technologies to market.
Today’s investment will support Waste Robotics in the development of a sorting system that uses cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to separate commercial waste more efficiently. The system will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting tens of thousands of tonnes of organic material from landfills every year. Today’s support will help further Waste Robotics’ effort to become a world leader in robotic waste and recycling sorting solutions. Small and medium-sized businesses like Waste Robotics play an important role in the clean technology market, driving the economy and helping us meet our climate change goals.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to support companies like Waste Robotics, which are vital to helping us create and develop cutting-edge clean technology. Our government is making cleantech a priority today so that all Canadians can reap the benefits of this fast-growing market in the future.”
— The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain
“Clean technology is about more than any one sector—when we support clean technology, we support our entire economy, creating good jobs while helping to protect our environment. Investments in clean technology will help solve the world’s biggest environmental problems, both at home and around the world.”
— The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“Everyone knows what it’s like to recycle waste in their home. This robot will help cities do it on a massive scale in a really cool, high-tech way, resulting in less garbage in our landfills.”
— Leah Lawrence, President and CEO, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
“Waste Robotics develops intelligent sorting systems that are revolutionizing the waste recycling industry and contributing in a significant way to sustainable development. We are very pleased to be able to benefit from the support of SDTC to demonstrate our technologies under real commercial conditions, thus strengthening the growth of Waste Robotics.”
— Eric Camirand, founder and CEO, Waste Robotics
Quick facts
Waste Robotics aims to build a high-capacity, multi-arm robot waste sorting system to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of organics and recyclables collection and sorting.
Sustainable Development Technology Canada helps Canadian entrepreneurs develop and demonstrate new environmental technologies that address climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil challenges.
The 2019 Global Cleantech 100 list, which recognizes companies that embody the most innovative and promising ideas in cleantech, included 12 Canadian companies, 10 of which have received funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
In Budget 2017, the Government provided over $2.3 billion to help clean technology firms grow and expand.
Clean tech companies can get advice from a team of experts from across government through the Clean Growth Hub. The Hub provides a single, easy point of contact for connecting with clean technology programs and services.
Piloted by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions help prioritize the federal government’s actions to promote the development and adoption of innovative practices and ensure growth for everyone in all Quebec regions. Therefore, the Strategy promote the creation of stable, well-paying jobs.
