A proposed waste processing and transfer facility along Highway 21 in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has received provincial approval.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued an Environmental Compliance Approval to 511414 Ontario Limited for the facility at 86618 Highway 21.
The decision was posted to Ontario's Environmental Registry on September 14, 2026, following a 45-day public comment period.
The facility will be permitted to receive, process, and transfer non-hazardous solid waste generated anywhere in Ontario.
"The Site will receive, process and transfer non-hazardous solid waste generated in the Province of Ontario," the ministry said in its decision.
That includes waste from residential and agricultural sources, as well as industrial, commercial and institutional operations.
Construction and demolition waste can also be processed at the site using a grinder inside the building. Provincial documents say other mobile equipment, including shredders and crushing equipment, can be brought in when required.
The original application set a maximum annual intake of 31,200 tonnes of waste and processed material.
No more than 424 tonnes can be stored at the site while awaiting removal.
"Processing and management of the waste will occur indoors," the province said in the original proposal.
A limited number of bins containing scrap metal and wood waste can be stored outside.
The approximately 2,006-square-metre waste transfer building will contain separate areas for incoming material, processing and sorting, scrap-metal storage and outgoing loads.
Documents say construction and demolition material can be sorted and processed before being transferred elsewhere.
Shipping and receiving were proposed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays.
The Environmental Registry shows no public comments were submitted during the consultation period, which ran from July 15 to August 29.
The province says the decision remains subject to the Environmental Bill of Rights appeal process. Ontario residents have 15 days from the September 14 decision date to begin seeking leave to appeal.
