York Region’s future biofuel facility, designed to process local green bin waste, has officially secured all necessary permits and approvals to move forward with construction in East Gwillimbury.
The $490-million Convertus York plant will be built on Garfield Wright Boulevard, just east of Newmarket, with construction set to begin in October 2024. The facility is expected to be fully operational by 2027, turning 200,000 tonnes of organic waste each year into renewable natural gas and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
According to Convertus, this will be the first biofuel plant in Canada to integrate CO₂ liquefaction technology, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Once operational, it is projected to produce 350,000 to 400,000 gigajoules of energy annually — enough to heat about 5,000 homes — and feed that energy directly into the local gas grid.
“These approvals are the result of close collaboration with local and provincial authorities,” said Arun Gudla, vice-president of strategic initiatives for Convertus. “This facility will set a new benchmark for sustainable waste management and clean energy production in Canada.”
York Region awarded the 20-year contract to Convertus through a competitive procurement process, seeking a closer alternative to distant facilities in London and Moose Creek. Officials estimate the project will save the region $85 million over its lifetime.
With permits in place, Convertus says its focus is now on construction, aiming to “close the loop” on waste in a way that supports both sustainability and a circular
