Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Greenspace Environmental (GE) is a consulting firm specializing in the management and reuse of excess materials, including sediment, soil, and construction by-products. With the introduction of Ontario Regulation (O Reg) 406/19 in 2021, a framework designed to prevent illegal dumping and reduce valuable soil waste, GE has encountered significant challenges in managing sediment from stormwater management ponds (SWMPs). These ponds are essential municipal infrastructure, controlling runoff, preventing flooding, and filtering pollutants, but their functionality diminishes over time due to sediment accumulation. Stringent disposal requirements have increased costs, limited removal sites, and caused logistical backlogs, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to manage contaminated sediment more sustainably. To address these challenges, GE is undertaking a 36-month project with Lambton College (LC) to develop a scalable sediment treatment system capable of meeting regulatory standards for reuse or safe disposal. This project aims to reclaim SWMP sediment as a valuable resource, reduce environmental impacts, and align with circular economy principles. The initiative will involve evaluating and implementing remediation technologies through a phased approach, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of existing treatment methods. A modular lab-scale prototype will be designed to optimize sediment treatment processes, including separation, filtration, and chemical or biological remediation. The prototype will undergo rigorous testing to refine contaminant removal efficiency and operational parameters. GE will construct a pilot-scale system tailored for field deployment, focusing on scalability, portability, and cost-effectiveness. Field trials at diverse SWMP sites will evaluate the system’s performance in real-world conditions, measuring contaminant reduction, sediment handling capacity, and environmental impacts. This innovation will allow GE to lower disposal and hauling costs, minimize landfill use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling local sediment reuse and treatment. The project offers substantial environmental, economic, and social benefits. By reducing soil toxicity, it improves the health of ecosystems and the quality of air and water while enhancing biodiversity in retention ponds. This initiative will strengthen Canada’s environmental stewardship, create new market opportunities and jobs for GE, both domestically and globally.