July 11, 2024
(L-R): Arthur Campus Operations Manager Adam Egan; Municipal Relations Manager Diana Aquino; Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae; Wellington-North Mayor Andy Lennox; Walker President and CEO Geordie Walker cut the ribbon to officially open the facility expansion.
Walker Industries expands composting facility
Walker Industries is continuing to strengthen its circular economy operations with a substantial investment at its Arthur, Ont., campus. This investment entails a $25-million expansion of Walker’s composting infrastructure alongside an $18-million state-of-the-art packaging facility.
These strategic investments have added to Walker's capabilities as a resource recovery leader, by diverting 170,000 tonnes of organic materials into premium-quality compost, soils and soil amendments. The expansion has resulted in an increase of the workforce at the Arthur campus, underscoring Walker's commitment to supporting its local communities.
Adam Egan, business operations manager at Walker, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Arthur community, emphasizing the collaborative effort towards building a sustainable future. "The expansion of our Arthur campus is a testament to our shared vision for environmental stewardship and community prosperity," remarked Egan.
Walker began its expansion program at the site in 2020 by constructing 32 new GORE composting cells. The cells are covered with innovative GORE-TEX material, which creates a controlled environment for optimal decomposition. The cover also reduces odours and environmental impacts, allowing for rapid production of high-quality compost.
There are many environmental benefits with this process and Walker is poised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 11,350 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2030 and 137,000 tonnes by 2050.
The new facility came online in June 2024, equipped with two fully automated bagging lines capable of producing up to 100,000 pallets of garden soil and mulches annually. This increase will help Walker offer new products to the market, like the recently launched GrowBetter Gardens soil and mulch brand. GrowBetter Gardens products are peat-free and made from 100 per cent renewable, recycled materials. This strategic investment aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable products, positioning Walker as a leader in resource recovery and the circular economy.
Geoff Boyd, vice president of resource recovery at Walker, expressed pride in Walker's contribution to resource conservation and circular economy principles. "Our commitment to sustainability drives us to develop solutions that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency," shared Boyd.
These strategic investments have added to Walker's capabilities as a resource recovery leader, by diverting 170,000 tonnes of organic materials into premium-quality compost, soils and soil amendments. The expansion has resulted in an increase of the workforce at the Arthur campus, underscoring Walker's commitment to supporting its local communities.
Adam Egan, business operations manager at Walker, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Arthur community, emphasizing the collaborative effort towards building a sustainable future. "The expansion of our Arthur campus is a testament to our shared vision for environmental stewardship and community prosperity," remarked Egan.
Walker began its expansion program at the site in 2020 by constructing 32 new GORE composting cells. The cells are covered with innovative GORE-TEX material, which creates a controlled environment for optimal decomposition. The cover also reduces odours and environmental impacts, allowing for rapid production of high-quality compost.
There are many environmental benefits with this process and Walker is poised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 11,350 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2030 and 137,000 tonnes by 2050.
The new facility came online in June 2024, equipped with two fully automated bagging lines capable of producing up to 100,000 pallets of garden soil and mulches annually. This increase will help Walker offer new products to the market, like the recently launched GrowBetter Gardens soil and mulch brand. GrowBetter Gardens products are peat-free and made from 100 per cent renewable, recycled materials. This strategic investment aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable products, positioning Walker as a leader in resource recovery and the circular economy.
Geoff Boyd, vice president of resource recovery at Walker, expressed pride in Walker's contribution to resource conservation and circular economy principles. "Our commitment to sustainability drives us to develop solutions that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency," shared Boyd.