The Association of Pacific Ports is pleased to welcome GRT Regnerock as an Associate Member. In speaking with Jane McIvor, Executive Director for the APP, Blair Tassone, Director, Business Development, and Deanna Woods, Director of People & Product Development, discussed the company’s mission to transform contaminated and excess soil into reusable construction material, its expansion plans, and its pioneering role in sustainable land management.
Founded in 2019, GRT identified a gap in the construction and waste industries — the need for an environmentally responsible alternative to landfilling excavated soil. The company’s first facility opened in 2021 at Duke Point in Nanaimo.
“We saw an opportunity to turn what’s typically considered waste into a resource,” said Woods. “Our goal was to reduce environmental impacts on both the disposal and extraction sides.”
Innovative circular model
GRT’s facilities receive excavated soil and sediment from construction or dredging projects. The material is treated, remediated, and screened into usable aggregate products such as washed sand, drain rock, riprap, and compactable silt. These outputs are then sold for use in infrastructure and industrial applications.
While contractors handle their own transportation, GRT’s urban facility model significantly reduces hauling costs compared to traditional landfills, which are typically located far outside city centers.
“That’s a big benefit,” Tassone explained. “By being close to the source, we cut both costs and emissions — it’s a win-win for our clients and the environment.”
Growth and market impact
Since launching in 2021, GRT has been widely adopted on Vancouver Island, largely through education and outreach in an industry accustomed to linear “dig and dump” practices. The company is permitting a facility in Vancouver, with a planned opening date of late 2026. “We were the first facility of our kind in Canada,” said Woods. “No one else processes the range of soils and dredged materials that we do.”
Competitive and sustainable
The GRT offerings are both competitive with the marketplace and environmentally responsible.The company’s success has been driven by a leadership team of environmental and engineering professionals, including CEO Peter Reid, COO Claire Lewis, and CFO Kevin Watson, all with decades of experience in environmental remediation and infrastructure development. GRT employs about 38 people in Nanaimo.
Looking ahead
With regulatory acceptance secured in B.C. and growing recognition of its environmental value, GRT is poised to become a leader in circular soil management across the Pacific coast. The company will present its model at the upcoming APP 2026 Conference in Hawaii, showcasing how its work supports both economic efficiency and climate goals.
“It’s great to connect with people who get it,” Woods said. “For years, we’ve been explaining why this kind of business needs to exist. Now the industry is finally ready for it.”
To learn more about GRT, visit: https://www.grtenv.com/
