Walker Environmental repurposing closed landfill

Walker Environmental is announcing the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has recently granted it approval to repurpose a section of its closed east landfill in Thorold into a resource recovery area. The repurposing will allow the company to stop a broader range of materials from ending up in landfills, as well as create valuable new products such as manufactured soils, low carbon fuels, recycled asphalt products and livestock feed supplements. Another large component is the development of several acres of pollinator habitat in support of local agriculture, Walker says in a news release. The National Resources Conservation Service’s site defines a pollinator habitat is an area of permanent vegetation, located in an agricultural landscape such as a field edge, field middle, odd corner, or virtually any location that is suited for pollinators to survive. The vegetation in a pollinator habitat consists of acceptable herbaceous plants and woody plants. The new Walker facility will also give opportunities to potential companies looking for alternative low-carbon fuel as a replacement for coal in kilns and coke ovens, according to the release. “This is an opportunity for us to create new products and fuel sources, all while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and repurposing the land on top of our east landfill,” said Tim McVicar, vice-president of transfer and disposal with Walker Environmental. Said Mike Watt, executive vice-president, “It’s a great opportunity to continue to grow the resource recovery side of our business while providing safe and reliable infrastructure for materials that currently cannot be recycled or reused.” Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services Chief Tom Cartwright said when firefighters arrived on scene, everyone was already ashore. The man thrown from his jet ski was said to be complaining of being unable to feel from his waist down, and Ornge Air Ambulance was called to the scene. Cartwright said the air ambulance was called off after the man regained feeling and firefighters assisted in loading him into a regular ambulance, at which time he was taken to local hospital. Police said he had minor injuries as a result of the crash. Niagara Regional Police working with the Ministry of Transportation gave 14 vehicles complete safety inspections during a short, localized blitz in the urban areas. Two vehicles were removed form the road and 12 provincial offence notices were issued for various offences, including insecure loads, major and minor defects and document offences. Police said one vehicle had tires so worn that they required immediate replacement onsite. Police and the ministry are reminding drivers to keep items tied down, strapped and secured in their pickups and trailers so they don’t become a danger to others. The inspection blitzes will continue throughout the summer.