The Government of Canada is investing in innovative wastewater treatment solutions to boost competitiveness and mitigate the environmental footprint of the food processing sector.
In this regard, member of Parliament Bernard Trottier, on behalf of agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, recently announced an investment of $95,000 for a project that will test an innovative water recycling system used to treat wastewater from within a food processing facility.
"Our government is constantly investing in innovation in the food processing sector, Canada's largest manufacturing sector, to help our hard-working producers find ways to boost their bottom lines," said Trottier. "This project has the potential to increase profitability and competitiveness of processors across the country by testing innovative approaches to water treatment," he added.
This investment will go to Weston Foods Canada Inc., to pilot test a new onsite bio-digester for wastewater treatment. This novel process will allow the water to be reused or disposed of without having to be discharged to municipal sanitary sewers at a cost to the business, ultimately helping the company, which specialises in producing a wide variety of baked goods, achieve more cost-effective and sustainable water use.
"Weston Foods is looking for innovative ways to address wastewater discharges. In addition to our relentless focus on source reduction, we want to identify technological solutions that will enable our business to continue to grow in the future," said senior director of environmental affairs Walter Kraus.
