Emterra Group Named One of Canada’s Greenest Employers as It Marks 50 Years of Impact
The annual Canada’s Greenest Employers designation, organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., recognizes employers that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to environmental leadership, embed sustainability into their organizational culture, and support environmental awareness through policies, practices, and innovation.
“I started this company 50 years ago with a belief that there is value in everything. I’ve always approached our work a little differently—seeing things differently, investing differently, and embedding environmental responsibility into how we operate and support our communities,” says Emmie Leung, Founder and CEO, Emterra Group. “This recurring recognition is a meaningful affirmation of that belief, and one I encourage our teams to carry forward.”
Founded in 1976, Emterra Group has grown from a one-person paper recycling operation into a vertically integrated group of companies operating across Canada and the state of Michigan. Over five decades, Emterra Group’s growth has been supported by continued investment in recycling infrastructure, fleet decarbonization, circular economy solutions, and employee‑driven initiatives.
“The transition to a circular economy happens through the choices people make every day,” said Paulina Leung, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emterra Group. “By integrating circular economy principles into our operations and empowering employees to find ways to make us greener, we’re shaping a workplace that enables people to make a lasting impact and reflects the future of responsible employment.”
In 2026, Emterra Group was selected for the award based on a range of environmental initiatives, including:
- Being an early adopter of electric collection vehicles, launching Ontario’s first electric garbage truck in 2023 and later introducing a fully electric fleet for recyclables, waste, and organics collection on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
- Through its subsidiary, Canadian Liquids Processors, Emterra Group advances circular economy practices by recycling end-of-life liquids into ethanol for reuse in applications such as non‑toxic windshield washer fluid.
- Joining the Canada Plastics Pact as a co-founding member, working with industry partners and experts to "collaborate and rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastic packaging to realize a circular economy for plastic in Canada".
The full list of Canada’s Greenest Employers (2026) was announced yesterday in a special feature published by Mediacorp Canada Inc. and distributed online in The Globe and Mail.
As Emterra Group celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization remains as focused as ever on advancing innovation, supporting local communities, and enabling people and businesses to become better stewards of the environment.