A Vancouver Island clean-tech startup is turning food waste into a bio-based solution that helps reduce dust on unpaved roads, reducing water use and giving organic waste a second serving.
The innovation targets a problem defining much of B.C.’s infrastructure. According to the provincial government, 92 per cent of the province’s road network is unpaved. For rural communities, construction sites and resource roads, controlling dust is a constant and costly challenge. Traditional methods rely heavily on repeated water spraying — an approach that is increasingly unsustainable as drought conditions worsen and water costs rise.
Duncan–based Ergo Eco Solutions believes its alternative offers a more durable and climate-conscious option.
The company’s product is made from recycled organic waste, including used cooking oil collected from local restaurants, and is designed to bind road surfaces and reduce airborne dust longer than water alone. Pilot projects on Vancouver Island have shown promising results, significantly reducing dust while conserving water.
Because the solution can be applied using standard road-maintenance equipment, it has the potential to scale quickly without requiring new infrastructure or major capital investment.
Beyond roads, Ergo is building a local circular economy by transforming waste into practical, low-carbon products that solve everyday problems.
