Every year, tens of thousands of tonnes of asphalt shingles are hauled to Calgary landfills. It is the unavoidable byproduct of a booming construction sector, and for decades, disposal was the only outcome for the material. However, one Calgary company is demonstrating that there is a way to transform this waste into something valuable.
Northstar Clean Technologies has developed a patented process that reprocesses discarded shingles into reclaimed asphalt, fibre, limestone, and aggregate ready for use in new roofing products and other commercial applications.
In November 2025, the company opened its Empower Calgary Facility. As Canada’s first asphalt shingle reprocessing plant, it represents a major step forward in turning industrial byproducts into market-ready materials, fully supporting a circular economy.
“With 16.5 million tonnes of shingles destined for the landfill in North America each year, which has an oil content of over 20 million barrels, our solution could scale across the entire continent,” said Aidan Mills, President and CEO of Northstar.
A new five-year contract with the City of Calgary is also helping to advance the facility’s success. Beginning in April 2026, all shingles accepted at the Spy Hill, East Calgary, and Shepard waste management sites will be redirected to the facility.
This ensures a steady, reliable feedstock supply while diverting thousands of tonnes of material from landfills and adds to existing supply agreements with IKO Industries Ltd and Ecco Recycling & Energy Corporation.
ERA supported the project through its Circular Economy Challenge, investing $7.1 million to help design, build, and launch the facility. The funding advanced a made-in-Alberta technology with strong potential for replication across North America. Northstar recently reached a major milestone by processing over 80 tonnes of shingle feedstock per day.
“This is a flagship investment in Alberta’s circular economy,” said Justin Riemer, CEO of ERA. “It is a proven technology that cuts emissions, diverts waste, and positions the province as a leader in shingle recycling and shows significant potential for deployment across North America.”
ERA’s support helped turn the technology from a promising concept into a commercial-scale reality.
“With the support of ERA and our contract with the City of Calgary, we’re transforming what was once a landfill problem into a circular economy solution,” Mills adds. “This facility proves what’s possible when government, industry and innovators come together to make environmental progress that also drives economic growth.”