Top 10 Refrigerator Crushing and Separating Equipment Suppliers in Canada (2025)

EcoCycle Solutions Inc. has been a cornerstone of Canada's recycling equipment landscape since 2008, and their refrigerator recycling line has earned them a reputation for reliability. Based in Toronto, this family-owned business prides itself on understanding the unique needs of Canadian recyclers—from small-scale operations in rural towns to large facilities in urban centers. What makes EcoCycle stand out is their focus on "end-to-end" solutions: they don't just sell a machine; they provide a complete system tailored to a recycler's workflow.

Their flagship product, the Refrigerator Recycling Pro Series , includes a range of equipment designed to handle every stage of the process. At the front end, their shredder and pre-chopper equipment is built to tackle the tough outer metal casings and foam insulation, breaking them down into manageable pieces without damaging valuable internal components. Further along the line, their separating systems use a combination of magnetic separation, air classification, and density sorting to extract steel, copper, aluminum, and plastic with impressive precision.

Sustainability is at the heart of EcoCycle's mission. They've recently upgraded their systems to include integrated air pollution control system equipment , which captures and filters emissions during shredding and processing, ensuring compliance with Canada's strict air quality regulations. Customers often praise their after-sales support, with a team of technicians available 24/7 to troubleshoot issues—critical for operations that can't afford downtime.

NorthStar Recycling Tech, founded in 2012 in Vancouver, has quickly risen to prominence by focusing on innovation. They specialize in high-capacity equipment for large-scale recycling facilities, and their refrigerator recycling equipment is engineered to handle the volume demands of Canada's busiest urban centers. What sets NorthStar apart is their investment in automation: their systems reduce the need for manual labor, cutting down on human error and increasing throughput.

The NorthStar UltraShred 5000 is a standout product here. This industrial-grade shredder and pre-chopper equipment features a dual-shaft design with hardened steel blades that can process up to 50 refrigerators per hour—ideal for facilities handling municipal collection programs. Paired with their Multi-Separator Pro , which uses near-infrared (NIR) technology to sort plastics from metals, the system ensures that even small, valuable components (like copper wiring from compressors) aren't missed.

NorthStar also places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency. Their equipment is designed to minimize power consumption, with variable-speed motors that adjust to the load, and heat recovery systems that repurpose excess energy from shredding to warm facility spaces in winter. For recyclers looking to scale up, NorthStar offers modular systems that can be expanded as demand grows—no need to ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ entire setups when business booms.

GreenMech Canada, a subsidiary of the global GreenMech Group, brings European engineering expertise to the Canadian market with a local touch. Since opening its Montreal headquarters in 2015, the company has carved a niche in refrigerator recycling equipment that balances power with precision—especially important for handling the delicate refrigerants and oils found in compressor units. Their approach is simple: "Do it right the first time."

A key offering is the GreenMech EcoShred R-Series , a line of shredder and pre-chopper equipment designed specifically for appliances. Unlike generic shredders, the R-Series includes specialized blades and adjustable speed settings to avoid piercing refrigerant lines, which can release harmful greenhouse gases like HFCs. Before shredding even begins, GreenMech's systems integrate a pre-processing step for refrigerant extraction, ensuring compliance with Canada's Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations.

Beyond the hardware, GreenMech Canada is known for its training programs. They offer on-site workshops for operators, teaching them how to maintain equipment, optimize separation efficiency, and troubleshoot common issues. This focus on education has made them a favorite among new recyclers entering the industry, who value the support as much as the machinery itself.

Serving Canada's Atlantic provinces from Halifax, Atlantic Recycling Systems (ARS) has built its reputation on ruggedness and adaptability. Founded in 2010, ARS understands that recyclers in coastal and rural areas face unique challenges: limited space, variable input volumes, and harsh weather conditions. Their refrigerator crushing and separating equipment is designed to thrive in these environments, with durable construction and easy maintenance at its core.

The ARS CoastalCrusher 300 is a compact yet powerful system that's perfect for smaller facilities. This all-in-one unit combines a shredder, magnetic separator, and air classifier in a footprint that fits in most standard warehouses. Despite its size, it can process up to 20 refrigerators per hour, making it a workhorse for regional recyclers. ARS also offers mobile units for on-site processing, ideal for communities without permanent recycling centers—imagine a truck that can visit remote towns, process fridges on the spot, and haul away sorted materials for further refining.

What truly makes ARS stand out is their commitment to local partnerships. They source steel and components from Canadian suppliers whenever possible, reducing their carbon footprint and supporting domestic manufacturing. For recyclers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland, ARS feels less like a distant vendor and more like a neighbor invested in their success.

In the heart of Alberta's energy sector, PrairieGreen Technologies is proving that sustainability and industry can go hand in hand. Founded in 2013, this Calgary-based supplier has expanded from oilfield recycling equipment to become a leader in appliance recycling tech, with a focus on air pollution control system equipment that addresses the unique concerns of industrial-scale operations.

PrairieGreen's RefriCycle Pro System is a comprehensive solution that includes not just shredding and separation, but also advanced emissions control. Their air pollution control system equipment uses a multi-stage filtration process: first, a cyclone separator to capture large dust particles, then a baghouse filter for fine particulates, and finally a catalytic converter to neutralize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during shredding. This ensures that even when processing refrigerators with aged insulation (which can contain trace chemicals), the air leaving the facility is clean and compliant with Alberta's strict environmental standards.

The company also offers custom engineering services. For example, when a major recycler in Edmonton needed to integrate refrigerator processing with existing metal recycling lines, PrairieGreen designed a bridging system that merged the two workflows seamlessly. Their team of engineers works closely with clients to understand their specific needs, whether that's retrofitting an old facility or building a greenfield site from the ground up.

Ontario Recycling Innovations (ORI) is a rising star in the province's tech hub, Kitchener-Waterloo. Founded in 2018 by a team of mechanical engineers with backgrounds in robotics, ORI brings a tech-forward approach to refrigerator recycling equipment . Their specialty? Smart systems that use data to optimize performance, helping recyclers track efficiency, reduce waste, and make data-driven decisions.

The ORI SmartCrush System is a game-changer here. This shredder and pre-chopper equipment is equipped with sensors that monitor blade wear, motor temperature, and separation efficiency in real time. Data is sent to a cloud-based dashboard, where operators can track metrics like "plastics recovery rate" or "steel purity," and receive alerts when maintenance is needed. For example, if the system detects that plastic separation is dropping below 95%, it automatically adjusts air flow in the classifier to correct the issue—minimizing downtime and maximizing yield.

ORI also excels in customer collaboration. They run a "beta tester" program, where ｓｅｌｅｃｔ recyclers get early access to new features in exchange for feedback. This iterative approach ensures that their equipment evolves with the needs of the industry. One recent upgrade, based on client input, was a faster refrigerant extraction module that reduces pre-processing time by 30%—a small change that adds up to big savings for high-volume facilities.

On Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim Recycling Equipment (PRRE) has built a loyal following by focusing on sustainability from the ground up. Since 2011, PRRE has designed its refrigerator crushing and separating equipment with the planet in mind—using recycled materials in manufacturing, minimizing energy use, and ensuring that their own production processes are as green as the equipment they sell.

Their flagship product, the PRRE EcoShred V2 , is a testament to this philosophy. The machine's frame is made from 80% recycled steel, and its hydraulic systems use biodegradable fluids. During operation, the EcoShred V2 consumes up to 25% less power than comparable models, thanks to its energy-efficient motor and regenerative braking system. But sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing performance: the EcoShred V2 can still process 35 refrigerators per hour, with a separation accuracy of 98% for metals and plastics.

PRRE also offers a unique "closed-loop" service: when a customer's equipment reaches the end of its life, PRRE will and recycle the machinery itself, ensuring that even the equipment doesn't end up in a landfill. This cradle-to-cradle approach has made them a favorite among B-Corp certified recyclers and eco-conscious municipalities in British Columbia and beyond.

Quebec Metal Recovery Systems (QMRS) has deep roots in the province's metal recycling industry, dating back to 1995. While they started with scrap metal processing, their expansion into refrigerator recycling equipment in the early 2010s leveraged their expertise in separating ferrous and non-ferrous metals—skills that are invaluable in appliance recycling. Today, QMRS is known for equipment that delivers exceptional metal recovery rates, a key selling point for recyclers focused on maximizing revenue from end-of-life fridges.

The QMRS MetalPro 7000 is their star product. This system combines a high-torque shredder and pre-chopper equipment with a series of magnetic and eddy current separators to pull out steel, aluminum, and copper with remarkable efficiency. In independent tests, the MetalPro 7000 has achieved a 99.2% recovery rate for steel and 97.8% for copper—numbers that translate directly to higher profits for recyclers. QMRS also offers specialized attachments for separating rare earth metals from compressor motors, a growing market as demand for electronics recycling rises.

What keeps customers coming back to QMRS is their reliability. Their equipment is built to last, with a 10-year warranty on major components, and their Quebec City factory ensures fast turnaround on parts and repairs. For recyclers in remote parts of Quebec, this local support is invaluable—no waiting weeks for parts to ship from overseas.

Canadian Environmental Machinery (CEM), based in Winnipeg, has made a name for itself by serving the unique needs of Canada's northern and central regions. Founded in 2005, CEM understands that recyclers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the territories face extreme cold, limited infrastructure, and long distances between service centers. Their refrigerator recycling equipment is built to thrive in these conditions, with rugged designs and simplified maintenance that minimize downtime.

The CEM ArcticShred is a prime example. This shredder and pre-chopper equipment features insulated hydraulic lines and cold-weather lubricants, ensuring it starts reliably even in -30°C temperatures—a must for facilities without heated warehouses. The ArcticShred also has a simplified control panel with large, glove-friendly buttons and visual indicators, making it easy to operate in busy, cold environments. For recyclers in remote communities, CEM offers mobile training units that travel to sites, ensuring operators have hands-on experience before the equipment even arrives.

CEM also partners with local Indigenous communities to support recycling initiatives in the North. They've developed a scaled-down version of the ArcticShred for smaller operations, helping communities like Rankin Inlet and Whitehorse establish their own recycling programs, creating jobs, and keeping harmful materials out of local landfills.

Rounding out our list is Advanced Recycling Technologies (ART), a Ottawa-based supplier with strong ties to Canada's research community. Founded in 2010 as a spin-off from Carleton University's engineering department, ART brings academic rigor to refrigerator crushing and separating equipment , with a focus on developing cutting-edge solutions for emerging challenges—like the rise of smart refrigerators with complex electronic components.

ART's SmartCycle 3.0 system is at the forefront of this innovation. Designed to handle modern refrigerators with circuit boards, touchscreens, and lithium-ion batteries (from smart features), the SmartCycle 3.0 integrates shredder and pre-chopper equipment with specialized separators for electronics. A key feature is its ability to safely extract and contain lithium-ion batteries before shredding, preventing fires and ensuring these hazardous components are recycled properly. ART worked with Environment and Climate Change Canada to test the system, and it's now certified to handle the latest refrigerator models hitting the market.

The company also offers research and development services for recyclers looking to tackle unique materials. For example, when a client in Ottawa needed to process vintage refrigerators with asbestos-containing insulation (a rare but tricky case), ART developed a custom enclosure for their shredder that safely contains and removes asbestos fibers, ensuring worker safety and compliance with federal regulations.