Who We Are

As a family‑owned and operated company, we’re driven by entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for resource recovery. We design and deliver cost‑effective recycling, waste reduction programs, and advisory services that blend experience with innovation.

From a one‑person operation to a team of more than 1,100 people across 40 locations and five divisions, we remain dedicated to our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. With operations across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Michigan, we’re committed to transforming waste into resources and helping our partners set and achieve their sustainability goals.

Our Story

Fifty years ago, Emmie Leung, a new immigrant to Canada, turned a simple observation in her Winnipeg neighbourhood into a groundbreaking idea when she noticed businesses discarding cardboard and paper she knew were valuable resources.

In 1976, she founded International Paper Industries in Vancouver and single‑handedly built the business—driving the truck, collecting and sorting materials, and managing every aspect herself.

From one woman and a truck, Emterra has grown into a proudly Canadian, female‑founded, BIPOC‑led organization with over 40 sites, 600+ trucks, and more than 1,100 employees—still driven by Emmie’s vision that waste can become opportunity

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What We Stand For

  • Safety First

    We make safety a priority for ourselves, each other, our customers and members of our communities.

  • Sustainability

    We strive to demonstrate environmental leadership in everything we do.

  • Community

    We strengthen the well-being of the communities in which we live and work through economic, social and environmental contributions.

  • Diversity

    We recognize it is our diversity that creates innovation, promotes inclusivity and produces better outcomes for our customers' changing needs.

  • Integrity

    We are honest and empower each other to act with integrity.

  • Entrepreneurialism

    We believe that entrepreneurship is a fundamental expression of the human spirit, freedom and ingenuity; it is the unique culmination of the visionary and the pragmatic, of both art and science.

  • Employee Engagement

    We believe people make things happen. We are committed to developing our employees and treating them fairly, equitably and with respect.

  • Customer-Centric

    We are empowered to deliver quality, reliable, value-added and professional solutions to our customers.

Supplier Diversity & Certificates

Supplier diversity

We ensure that all vendors and service providers receive equal opportunity in doing business with us. By increasing procurement from diverse suppliers, Emterra enhances its supply chain in a socially responsible and community-focused manner.

Are you certified through a supplier council as a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) or minority business enterprise (MBE)? Are you interested in doing business with Emterra? Send us an email for more details.

Certificates for council

Emterra is proud to be certified and self-recognized as a WBE through WBE Canada and WEConnect International and as a MBE through the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC).

FAQ

Who is Emterra Group?

Emterra Group is a Canadian-owned waste and recycling company providing collection, processing, resource recovery, and sustainability services for homes, businesses, and municipalities across North America.

What does Emterra Group do?

Emterra Group delivers recycling, waste collection, tire recovery, organics processing, and circular economy initiatives through multiple divisions that support environmental goals.

How long has Emterra Group operated in Canada?

Emterra has operated for more than four decades, expanding from a small recycling startup to a major national waste and resource recovery organization.