Companies that recycle wood or other materials generally only use materials that meet certain criteria; the rest go in the garbage. Quebec company Enerkem takes these trash materials and turns them into ethanol, chemicals, and other materials. They have been successful enough to attract the attention of giant company Waste Management Inc., who have strategically invested in Enerkem in order to take advantage of their technology.
Instead of incinerating trash like most people do, Enerkem’s process requires no combustion or smokestack. Enerkem is based out of Montreal, with facilities operating in Quebec, Edmonton, and a new one planned in the US.
