Calgary's Green Asphalt Dream: Northstar's First Sale Paves Way for Cleaner City
People are talking about Northstar's move to turn old shingles into new roads. Could this be Calgary's next big green leap? Cleaner air and less landfill waste sound pretty great, right?
Big news for Calgary's environmental footprint, folks! Our very own Northstar Clean Technologies, operating right here at the Empower Calgary Facility, just announced its first commercial sale of liquid asphalt to McAsphalt Industries Ltd. This isn't just a win for their books; it's a monumental stride towards a more sustainable city, cutting down on the mountain of waste piling up in our landfills.
Think about it: every year, our beloved city's Spy Hill, East Calgary, and Shepard Waste Management Facilities are swamped with thousands upon thousands of tonnes of discarded asphalt shingles. Northstar's facility is set to divert a massive 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of that waste annually, transforming what was once trash into a valuable resource.
This isn't just about making our landfills last longer. The liquid asphalt Northstar is producing boasts a carbon footprint that's a staggering 60% lower than its virgin counterpart. That translates to an estimated saving of 3,500 to 4,700 tonnes of CO2e per year – equivalent to taking a significant number of cars off Deerfoot Trail! It's a tangible step towards cleaner air and a healthier Calgary for everyone, from Ward 11 to the farthest reaches of our city.
Aidan Mills, Northstar's President and CEO, rightly calls this a "significant commercial and operational milestone." This partnership with McAsphalt, a subsidiary of Colas Canada Inc., has been brewing for a while, with McAsphalt playing an instrumental role in the facility's development. David LeMay, President of McAsphalt Canada, shared the excitement, looking forward to "steady state commercial production" – which, good news for our roads, is expected to kick into high gear with regular ongoing sales starting in January 2026.
What does this mean for your daily drive? Potentially, the very asphalt patching up those winter potholes on the Trans-Canada or paving new developments could be made from recycled shingles, reducing our reliance on new resource extraction. It's the circular economy in action, right in our backyard. The City of Calgary clearly sees the value, signing a five-year contract with Northstar, set to begin in April 2026, to handle all shingles collected at our waste facilities. This initiative also has the backing of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and the provincial government's TIER Fund, underscoring the broad support for this green innovation.
Calgary's Commitment to Green Innovation
While some new industrial facilities can face local opposition, Northstar's mission of transforming waste into value has garnered widespread support. The environmental benefits are clear, and the economic growth potential for our city is undeniable. This isn't just about selling a product; it's about leading the charge in sustainable processing and ensuring that materials once destined for endless decay are given a new life.
The Bottom Line
Northstar's first liquid asphalt sale isn't just a blip on the financial radar; it's a powerful statement about Calgary's commitment to innovation and sustainability. It means less waste in our landfills, cleaner air, and a forward-thinking approach to urban development. Keep an eye out, Calgary – the future of our infrastructure just got a whole lot greener.
