Newco Metal and Auto Recycling Ltd.

Newco Metal and Auto Recycling Ltd. is showing that going green is good for business. As Newfoundland and Labrador’s oldest and largest full-service metal recycling operation, the company is setting the standard for how innovation and environmentally conscious practices can drive growth and create lasting value.

With a growing staff of over 100 full-time employees, Newco has modernized its operations, significantly reduced emissions, minimized waste and developed processes that turn byproducts into valuable resources, all while maintaining its position as a leader in metal recycling.

From scrap to solutions

Every year, Newco processes millions of pounds of scrap steel, aluminum, copper and brass. Recycling these materials reduces the need for virgin resources, diverts waste from landfills and cuts carbon emissions. The company also reuses oils and materials within its facilities, creating a circular economy where nothing goes to waste.

Its state-of-the-art electric shredder has transformed the recycling capacity in the province, handling everything from small items like needles to massive steel vessels, oil industry infrastructure, windmill monopiles and more.

With 12 locations and mobile crews across the province, all materials are collected and brought back to Newco’s electric shredder in St. John’s where they are meticulously sorted, processed and readied for export to global markets.

Newco Operations Manager Don Drew recalls how different things were before the shredder. “We were shipping about 1,500 tractor trailer loads of crushed cars every year to central Canada for processing. That meant a massive carbon footprint equating to over 1200 kilograms per load. Now, everything is processed locally, cutting emissions down to under 200 kilograms per load.”

As Newco continues to grow, the company is committed to keeping its operations rooted in the province and ensuring the benefits stay close to home. “Instead of trucks from outside the province hauling the material away, it’s all handled by Newco or our contractors, right here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Drew explained. “That means local investment, local business and local return.”

The company has also found a sustainable use for soil fines, a byproduct of the shredder, by repurposing them as landfill cover. According to Drew, “We’ve started working with approved landfills to use this as ground cover, reducing the need for natural materials like blasted rock or gravel. By repurposing this byproduct, we’re helping landfills cut costs and improve profitability while making use of material that would otherwise go to waste.”

Building a cleaner future

With support from ACOA, Newco Metal has expanded its sustainable operations and strengthened its position as a leader in metal recycling, both in the province and beyond.

“ACOA’s support through interest-free loans has allowed us to modernize older technology and infrastructure, helping take metal recycling in the province to the next level,” said Drew. “With this support, we were able to add advanced sensors and additional recovery lines, ensuring that as much material as possible is recycled and reused.”

Newco’s journey proves that sustainability is more than an environmental responsibility, it is a competitive advantage. By cutting costs, creating jobs and driving innovation, the company is demonstrating how environmental stewardship and business success can thrive together, while forging a cleaner, more prosperous future for Atlantic Canada.

If your small business is ready to accelerate its journey to clean growth, reduce costs, create jobs and unlock new markets, call ACOA at 1-800-561-7862 or visit Helping with your green transition - Canada.ca