Research Project on Carbon Capture Opportunities for Waste Management and Wastewater Facilities Copy

Winter 2023

Durham Region owns and operates, in partnership with York Region, an energy from waste facility known as Durham York Energy Centre and the Duffin Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. These two facilities alone are responsible for producing 38% and 13% of Durham Region’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the incineration of residential garbage and sewage biosolids. 

To help reduce Durham Region's GHG emissions, we were interested in researching what carbon capture opportunities exist for the Durham Energy from Waste and Duffin Creek facility. Questions examined included: what opportunities exist for wastewater? Are there proven technologies available? Who is using them and how long? What are the metrics? Are the opportunities feasible in Durham Region given the climate and landscape? Is there any synergistic opportunity for incineration and wastewater?