Essential Soils Solutions

Soil is the foundation of life. Prioritizing its role as a crucial cog in the planet’s ecosystems and food production, regulatory entities worldwide are introducing mandates for efficient and sustainable soil management.

In Ontario, a market with stringent compliance needs driven by the 406/19 regulation, Essential Soils Solutions (ESS) stands out as a trailblazer in soil remediation and aggregate mining. Blending innovation and environmental responsibility, it is a forward-thinking company that minimizes waste, reduces carbon emissions, and creates long-term value for clients and the environment with a transformative approach.

Operating from one of Ontario’s largest soil remediation hubs, ESS runs its facility atop the rugged Canadian Shield bedrock. This strategic location allows for year-round operations. More than a treatment center—it’s a Class 1+ soil remediation facility known for handling all soil types with operational excellence.

“At our facility, we optimize efficiency by combining soil remediation with limestone aggregate mining, all within a single site. By leveraging the economies-of-scale, we can effectively reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint,” says Matthew Cinelli, General Manager.

With this integration, trucks arrive with contaminated soil, unload it for treatment, and leave with newly mined aggregates—eliminating empty trips and significantly reducing emissions and transportation costs. This innovative economies-of-scale approach streamlines project timelines while ensuring precise tracking and full compliance with provincial environmental regulations.

The facility’s dual-purpose operations minimize downtime, allowing clients to maintain momentum and focus on completing their projects without delays. The seamless coordination between soil treatment and aggregate mining further enhances efficiency, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

In light of these operational efficiencies, it’s essential to acknowledge the context in which ESS operates. Ontario’s soil regulations are among the most rigorous in Canada, demanding licensed facilities to treat, track, and reuse excess soil in sustainable ways. For the construction industry, the stakes are high; compliance with these regulations is mandatory, but navigating the process can be challenging for any organization. This is where ESS excels, making compliance easier while providing full transparency throughout the soil’s remediation journey.

“We do more than just transfer soil—we treat it, keep it, and document every step. If a client asks us where their soil went, we can trace its entire remediation journey, from the moment it arrived to where it will stay forever,” states Cinelli.

Such transparency is made possible by the company’s proprietary tracking software, which monitors each ton of soil from drop-off to final placement. In real-time, clients can view where their material is treated and stored, with visual confirmation through tools like Google Maps. The custom-developed solution provides detailed reports on soil movements, ensuring accurate documentation at every stage.

Essential Soils Solutions’ strength lies in the collective experience of its leadership team—nearly 100 years of combined expertise in earthmoving, soil remediation and environmental management. This wealth of knowledge allows ESS to offer comprehensive services tailored to construction sites and infrastructure projects across Ontario. Its partnerships with key transfer stations further expand its capacity to handle complex projects efficiently and sustainably.

In one notable instance, the software enabled a large infrastructure project to meet strict regulatory requirements by providing real-time tracking of where every ton of soil was treated and placed. This transparency reassured project managers and stakeholders, streamlining approvals and reinforcing trust.

Central to such successes is the company’s strong commitment to customer satisfaction. After each project, ESS gathers feedback to assess what worked and opportunities to improve or innovate. This dedication to service and operational excellence has been a key driver in developing its proprietary software, built in response to challenges identified through customer feedback.

From cutting-edge technology to efficient operations, ESS’s work reflects its commitment to doing things right—safely, transparently, and sustainably. In a world where environmental stewardship and industrial progress are often seen as opposing forces, it demonstrates they can coexist seamlessly. By balancing regulatory compliance with business efficiency, Essential Soils Solutions continues reshaping Ontario’s soil management landscape and transforming challenges into opportunities for its diverse and growing clientele.