Challenge

By 2003, the region of Waterloo was diverting 40 per cent of its waste from landfill. While laudable, the Region's diversion rate wasn't high enough to keep the Cambridge landfill open past June of that year. At that time, the Cambridge site changed roles from a disposal to a collection site and the Region began paying a contractor to haul waste from Cambridge to the sole remaining landfill in the Region, located in Waterloo.

By 2008, approximately 100,000 tonnes of waste were being hauled each year from the Cambridge transfer station to the Waterloo landfill. That year, the Region issued a tender request for haulage services. In 2009, Wessuc was awarded the contract, which started in 2010.

Solution

Wessuc determined there were opportunities for the Region to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions if its contractor used state-of-the-art equipment. As a result, Wessuc bought five aluminum trailers with heavy duty walking floors and automated folding roofs instead of the traditional pull-over tarps. We also bought five new heavy spec'ed International tractors and installed after-market fuel saving technology.

Results

The automated folding roofs on the trailers improved safety for the drivers, who tarp four to five loads per day, and saved 25 to 30 minutes loading time per load. The aluminum trailers were also much lighter than traditional steel trailers, requiring fewer axles under the trailer while maintaining weight capacity. The fuel saving technology on the trailers reduced fuel consuption by 20 per cent and reduced emissions far below Canada's emissions standards at the time.