Province gives environmental stamp of approval for plastics-to-fuel plant

A company that wants to turn plastics into fuel has receivedenvironmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia government.

Sustane Technologies Inc. plans to bring in up to 50,000 tonnes of municipal garbage per year and convert it into biomass pellets, diesel and kerosene at a plant near Chester, N.S.Some metals are also expected to berecovered.

"We'll be completing the industrial approval in the next 30 to 60 days," said Peter Vinall, company president. "Once that's granted we commence the commissioning of the plant."

The company submitted its environmental studies to the province on July 4, and Environment Minister Margaret Miller released her decision late Thursday afternoon.

"I am satisfied that any adverse effects or significant environmental effects of the undertaking can be adequately mitigated through compliance with the attached terms and conditions," she wrote.

Those conditions outline what types of raw material the company can bring in. For instance, it can only process plastics obtained from regular garbage, not plastics that have already been separated in blue bags.

The conditionsalso lay outrequirements to monitor the material that will be produced when the plastic is heated and the chemical contents of the fuel that is produced.

Sustane must develop and follow plans to monitor air quality, groundwater, noise levels and the effects of flaring and lighting on birds as well as create a map of species at risk in the project area. The company must also create a contingency plan for accidents.

These conditions must be met before the company can apply for the industrial approval it needs tostart operations.

The company estimates that 90 per cent of the incoming garbage will be diverted from the landfill, and the remaining 10 per cent will go to the Kaizer Meadow dump, which is right next to Sustane.

The plant will produce both synthetic kerosene, which will be used on site to cook the garbage, and about 9,000 litres of synthetic diesel per day, which will be sold.

"We've got one customer signed up for a large portion of that volume," saidVinall. "It's a high-quality fuel. We've done extensive testing."

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