Environmental Stewardship

Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.

We are committed to being responsible stewards of the environments and champions for sustainability. This commitment is a cornerstone of all that we do, and the following principles help guide our environmental centre regulations.

Protection
We will conduct all operations in a manner that protects the environment and our employees, neighbours, and customers.

Compliance
We will comply with all legal requirements and proactively implement procedures to ensure compliance. WM is committed to meeting and or exceeding all regulatory requirements.

Conservation
We will practice and promote the conservation of nature and the earth’s energy resources. The science of landfill construction has progressed remarkably from the days when waste was deposited in open, unlined “dumps.”

Today, modern landfills like Twin Creeks are carefully designed to contain waste and protect the environmental integrity of the surrounding area – including the air, water and soil. Our landfill incorporates advanced design features, including multi-layer liner construction, gas extraction and leachate removal systems.

In accordance with the ECA A032203, Twin Creeks Landfill completes a comprehensive monitoring program, including monitoring of groundwater, surface water, air quality and noise at the facility.

Groundwater monitoring is completed on a semi-annual basis in the spring and fall through a network of 38 perimeter monitoring wells that are strategically placed to observe groundwater quality changes at upgradient and downgradient locations.

Surface water monitoring is completed quarterly based on responses to precipitation events. There are four stormwater management ponds installed across the site to manage runoff from landfill and non-landfill areas. Water quality is analyzed in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

Landfill gas is collected through horizontal galleries that are connected to vertical gas extraction wells and vacuumed to an on-site flare facility for destruction.

Twin Creeks received approval to treat leachate that is generated in the waste through a phytoremediation system consisting of a 9ha poplar tree plot planted on the landfill cap in 2003. Surplus leachate is trucked off-site to approved waste-water treatment plants. Leachate is monitored for liquid elevation and quality on a semi-annual basis in the spring and fall.

Landfill gas is a naturally occurring byproduct of waste decomposition and represents a low-cost green resource that can help generate alternative sources of power. Instead of simply flaring the approximate 3,200 standard cubic feet per minute of landfill gas produced at the landfill, WM provides renewable bio-gas to a neighbouring greenhouse to grow produce, which is sold throughout Ontario and Quebec, supporting local business and creating employment opportunities for the local community.

Twin Creeks Environmental Centre has been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2004. It is home to native grasslands, ponds, a deciduous forest and old field meadows. It also has a mix of upland tree species and diverse understory plants including the regionally significant species St. John’s wort and false mermaid weed.

A poplar plantation links existing forested areas, and closed landfill cells north of the plantation have been actively seeded with native grasses to re-vegetate unused areas with a diverse array of species as outlined below. Trees have also been planted in this area, and plants added along Bear Creek to protect water quality. Located along the north perimeter of the site are a variety of deciduous trees. Additionally, native pollinator plants were recently added to the berms.

Smaller projects at the habitat include blue bird nesting boxes, bat boxes, mallard tubes, wood duck boxes, and a pollinator garden.

Our wildlife team continues its re-vegetation efforts to create buffers that provide shelter for birds and small animals and to establish windbreaks for the prevention of soil erosion.

Over the past five years, Twin Creeks has welcomed a variety of species to the habitat. This includes over 45 species of birds like the rare Bobolink which is a threatened species, 14 species of fish, amphibian and reptiles including Green Frogs, Garter Snakes, turtles and sunfish, 5 mammals including deer, racoons, foxes and squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and many aquatic invertebrates. Additionally, for the past 5 years, Twin Creeks has welcomed the nomadic snowy owl who has called the sanctuary home thanks to the ample food supply and many acres of habitat.