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On August 20, 2023, Carbon Lock Tech, a Manitoba-based startup led by CEO Kevin Danner, presented to the Ritchot municipal council, proposing a partnership for a pilot project utilizing their patented technology for converting organic waste into biocarbon. This innovative process, based on pyrolysis, allows organic waste'such as grass clippings, food scraps, and other biowasteáto be transformed into stable biochar pellets, mitigating landfill issues and contributing to climate change solutions.

Danner emphasized that this biocarbon can serve multiple industries, including agriculture, construction, and wastewater filtration. The biocarbon pellets enhance soil water retention and can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete used in road construction. Furthermore, the initiative could present a financial opportunity for Ritchot, as converting waste into marketable carbon products could generate revenue from sales to various sectors and carbon removal credits sought by large corporations like Microsoft and Google.

The proposed facility would be located on a one-acre parcel adjacent to the Mid Canada landfill near ále-des-Chánes, featuring a pyrolytic reactor system and storage for the finished product. Danner noted that the facility would be mostly self-sustaining regarding energy requirements, as it generates its own energy during the pyrolysis process.

Ritchot council members unanimously supported entering negotiations for a memorandum of understanding, which would allow Carbon Lock Tech to seek investors and government funding for the $5 million pilot project. If successful, a second phase could expand the project commercially after an initial two-year evaluation period.

This collaboration aims not only to address municipal waste management challenges but also to position Ritchot as a leader in sustainable waste solutions.