Nothing Left Behind with West Coast Reduction

West Coast Reduction Ltd. may not be a household name, but every British Columbian has a cleaner environment and more affordable local food supply because of its sustainable solutions

Since 1964, West Coast Reduction Ltd. (WCRL) has been quietly going about its vital work on Vancouver’s south shore. From early roots as a butcher to its modern rendering facilities, the company has carried out safe, environmentally friendly recycling solutions for the agricultural industry, creating valuable ingredients for everyday products and helping to keep local communities clean and sustainable.

The company collects food waste and by-products from food producers like farms, restaurants and supermarkets, transforming them into ingredients used in renewable energy, animal feed and thousands of other products used daily. Without fanfare or even most people’s knowledge, these efforts contribute to a sustainable local food supply and help everyone live in cleaner and healthier communities.

To the average person that means lower food costs, a more sustainable agricultural industry and lower GHG emissions, but on an even bigger scale, WCRL’s work is helping the province meet ambitious energy goals.

Like any company that has thrived for more than 50 years, WCRL has evolved with the times and stayed responsive to the changing needs of industry and the wider community. Whereas a few years ago the fats and oils from their process went mainly to oleochemicals and feed ingredients, the industry has shifted, creating a higher demand for alternative energy solutions.

“Today, companies like Parkland (Burnaby’s Chevron refinery) and British Petroleum (Cherry Point’s refinery) have switched to use these materials in biofuels,” says Jared Girman, Director of Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives at WCRL. “WCRL works with these companies to supply feedstock for co-processing, which refers to next generation biofuel that combines biofuel and crude to create lower carbon renewable diesel and gasoline.”  

The province has set a goal in the Clean BC initiative to produce 650,000 metric tonnes of liquid renewable fuel. In 2019, WCRL supplied 250,000 metric tonnes to renewable fuel companies. “We represent large portion of that goal, processing 1 billion pounds of raw material each year,” Girman says.

Parkland intends to double its production by the end of 2021, which means it is essential that WCRL expands its capacity to meet this demand. “The WCRL facility at the Port of Vancouver is the only current location in Western Canada with the ability to refine organic feedstocks to the specifications these suppliers require,” Girman says.  

Learn more about West Coast Reduction Ltd. at wcrl.com/