Transforming Toronto’s Waste Landscape: The Dufferin Organics Processing Facility

For nearly two decades, the Toronto Dufferin Organics Processing Facility (DOPF) has been at the forefront of sustainable waste management in Toronto. With resounding success and unwavering dedication, this facility has continuously operated well above its original design capacity, setting a benchmark for anaerobic digestion projects in North America.

A visionary partnership between the City of Toronto and CCI Bioenergy Inc. (CCI), has been a beacon of innovation since its commissioning in May 2002. Operating with CCI’s cutting-edge BTA® Hydromechanical Treatment, the facility seamlessly handles Source Separated Organics (SSO), distinguished by a high plastic content due to the use of plastic bags for waste collection. Remarkably, the waste undergoes direct feeding to the BTA® Hydromechanical Treatment without any prior processing.
At the core of the facility’s operations is a single-stage, wet anaerobic digestion process, meticulously carried out in reactors. This forward-thinking approach exemplifies the facility’s commitment to harnessing the full potential of organic waste, transforming it into renewable energy and valuable resources.

Post-digestion, the resulting digestate undergoes dewatering using screw presses, separating the solid phase. The solid phase is then thoughtfully managed, further treated in an external composting plant. This innovative approach ensures that the organic waste is entirely repurposed, leaving minimal environmental impact.

Having operated successfully for over twenty years, the Toronto Dufferin facility stands as a testament to the power of anaerobic digestion and its transformative role in sustainable waste management. The project has not only exceeded expectations but has also significantly contributed to the City’s goals of reducing landfill waste and generating renewable energy.
CCI Bioenergy Inc. and BTA International GmbH’s enduring partnership has been the cornerstone of this project’s success. Together, they have shaped a vision of waste management excellence, leading the way in diverting organic waste from landfills and fostering a greener future for Toronto and beyond.