Brampton: The Garbage capital of Canada!

Brampton’s existing waste-to-energy facility on Bramalea Road could see a major expansion, increasing its waste-processing capacity from about 182,000 tons to 900,000 tons per year — nearly five times its current capacity.

The facility has been operating since 1992 and burns non-recyclable waste to generate electricity and steam. Emerald Energy from Waste says the expanded facility would use modern emissions-control technology and help reduce the amount of garbage going to landfills.

However, the proposed expansion has raised concerns among residents, environmental advocates, and Peel Public Health, particularly about air quality, public health, increased truck traffic and the cumulative impact of pollution in an area already affected by industrial and transportation emissions.

Another major issue is the environmental assessment process. The project received approval through an Environmental Screening process in 2025, but critics argue that an expansion of this scale should have undergone a more detailed Individual Environmental Assessment.

Our reporter, Taranjeet Kaur Ghuman spoke with Rajbalinder Singh Ghatoura, a Canadian environmental professional and community activist, about the proposed expansion. He said this is a very large expansion that would become the largest of its kind in Canada. Many people have raised their voices against the project because of concerns about its potential negative impacts on health and the environment.

Through his organization, Kudrat Di Rakhiya, they are working to create awareness among the public about the issue. He also raised concerns that the information shared by Emerald Energy is not easily accessible to the public. He expressed his concerns about the project and the lack of accessible information.

The expansion has already received approval. However, residents and Peel Public Health continue to express concerns and raise questions about the potential impacts of the project, particularly regarding air quality, public health, and environmental effects.

Watch the full story on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JzEhc22V58&t=6s