Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Since August 2009, Lafleche Environmental has been processing organic material in its multiple state-of-the-art compost facility. These facilities receive various biodegradable feedstocks and bulking agents including food scraps, food processing residues, paper/cardboard, leaf and yard waste, and other organic materials and remediate them. Due to high demand for this remediation, in 2013 the company doubled its processing capacity and now can process up to 120,000 metric tonnes of organic material annually. The resulting leachate byproduct is captured and diverted to holding ponds where it remains until processing by a wastewater treatment plant. With the help of St. Lawrence College Applied Research Department and the Environmental Science Program, Lafleche and the research team will investigate if this leachate is a potential high-end commercial speciality fertiliser, which would turn a previously waste product into a viable commercial product with a new revenue stream for the company.