Top 5 Water-Based PCB Recycling Equipment Suppliers in Canada

2. AquaRecycle Tech (Montreal, QC)

Montreal-based AquaRecycle Tech is all about innovation – and their HydroSep Pro system proves it. Launched in 2019, this water-based PCB recycler was built with one goal: to make metal recovery so efficient, it beats traditional smelting costs by 30%. How? They’ve combined classic wet separation with AI-driven sensors that adjust water flow and pressure in real-time, ensuring no metal gets left behind.

Let’s break down the process. Crushed PCBs enter a tank where water jets (think high-powered hoses) blast away plastic coatings. Then, a centrifuge spins the mix at 3,000 RPM, flinging lightweight plastic to the edges while metals collect in the center. The real magic? Their water process equipment includes a “smart filter” that uses machine learning to detect metal types – so gold, silver, and copper end up in separate bins without manual sorting. Capacity-wise, they’ve got options: the HydroSep 500 (500kg/hour) for startups, and the HydroSep 2000 (2000kg/hour) for industrial players.

What do clients love most? The system’s footprint. “We’re in a tight industrial park in Montreal – no room for giant machines,” says Pierre Dubois, owner of RecyclePro Electronics. “AquaRecycle’s setup fits in a 20x30ft space, and it’s so quiet, we barely notice it’s running.” Plus, their water treatment add-on turns wastewater into clean H2O (they even use it to water their office plants!).

3. NorthFlow Recycling Systems (Edmonton, AB)

Edmonton’s NorthFlow is the go-to for heavy-duty operations. Their claim to fame? The MegaSep 3000 , a water-based PCB recycler that cranks out 3,000kg/hour – that’s 72 tonnes a day! If you’re processing truckloads of e-waste from provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, this is the beast you want.

How does it handle that volume? NorthFlow skipped the “one-size-fits-all” approach and built modular units. You start with a shredder (their 2-shaft design chews through PCBs like butter), then add a water separation tank, a series of filter press equipment (each the size of a small fridge), and a final drying station. The water here is heated to 40°C to loosen stubborn solder, and they use food-grade surfactants (think dish soap, but industrial-strength) to help separate metals from plastic. The result? 99% copper recovery and gold purity that hits 99.9% – good enough for jewelry makers.

“We run 24/7, and the MegaSep hasn’t had a single breakdown in two years,” says Raj Patel, operations director at Prairie E-Waste Recyclers. “NorthFlow’s tech team even remotely monitors the system – they texted us once to adjust a filter pressure before we noticed an issue. Now that’s service.”

Pro tip: Ask about their auxiliary equipment package – it includes a wastewater treatment unit that uses reverse osmosis to recycle 95% of the water, plus a metal briquetter to compact recovered metals into neat bars for shipping.

4. ClearWater Circuit Tech (Halifax, NS)

Halifax’s ClearWater is the new kid on the block (founded 2017), but they’re already shaking things up with their focus on sustainability . Their EcoClean 1000 isn’t just a recycler – it’s a closed-loop system that generates zero wastewater and uses 50% less energy than competitors.

Here’s the genius: instead of fresh water, they use recycled rainwater collected from their roof. The water is treated with UV light to kill bacteria, then pumped into a separation tank where PCBs are mixed with tiny ceramic beads (yes, like the ones in your coffee grinder) that gently scrub off plastic without scratching metals. After separation, the water goes through a sand filter, then a carbon filter, and is pumped back into the system. The only “waste” is a small amount of plastic sludge, which they turn into pellets for 3D printing filament. Talk about circular!

Capacity-wise, the EcoClean 1000 handles 1,000kg/hour – perfect for mid-sized recyclers in the Maritimes. “We wanted to prove that ‘green’ doesn’t mean ‘slow’,” says founder Lisa Chen. “Our first client, a small recycler in New Brunswick, now makes more profit from recovered metals than they did selling scrap to China.”

Bonus: ClearWater offers free sustainability audits. They’ll visit your facility, check your energy use, and tweak the EcoClean to cut costs. One client saved $12,000/year on water bills alone!

5. BlueStream Recovery (Winnipeg, MB)

Winnipeg’s BlueStream is all about accessibility. Their StreamLine 500 is designed for small businesses and community recycling centers that want to dip their toes into PCB recycling without breaking the bank. At $150,000 (about half the cost of competitors), it’s the most affordable system on this list – but don’t let the price fool you.

The StreamLine 500 is compact (fits in a 15x20ft garage), easy to use (the touchscreen interface has just 5 buttons), and handles up to 500kg/hour. It skips the fancy AI and sticks to basics: a shredder, a water bath with rotating paddles (like a washing machine for PCBs), and a simple filter stack. They even include a training video series (hosted by their in-house tech, Dave, who’s got a knack for explaining things in plain English). “I’m a mechanic, not a chemist, and I had the system running in a day,” says Mike Thompson, owner of Thompson’s E-Waste in Saskatoon.

BlueStream’s secret weapon? Their wet process equipment uses cold water (no heating needed) and minimal chemicals, making it safe for teams without specialized training. And if you grow? They offer upgrades – add a second separation tank, a better filter, or a metal dryer – so you don’t have to buy a whole new system.

“We started with 100kg/day, and now we’re at 2,000kg/day,” Mike adds. “BlueStream grew with us, and their prices never went up. That’s loyalty.”

5. Great Lakes Green Tech (Toronto, ON)

Toronto’s Great Lakes Green Tech rounds out our list with a focus on versatility . Their MultiSep X isn’t just for PCBs – it can handle other e-waste too, like circuit boards from phones, laptops, and even old CRT monitors (those big, boxy TVs). That makes it a favorite for recyclers who process mixed loads.

The MultiSep X uses a two-step water process: first, a “rough separation” tank to pull out large metals (like capacitors), then a “fine separation” tank with magnetic filters to catch tiny bits of iron and steel. They also offer a dry separation add-on (yes, you can mix wet and dry process equipment !) for plastics, so you can recover both metals and plastic in one pass. Capacity ranges from 500-2000kg/hour, depending on the setup.

What clients love: the “quick-swap” filter system. Instead of shutting down for hours to change filters, you pop out old ones and slide in new ones in 10 minutes. “Downtime kills profits, so that alone saved us $50k/year,” says Jessica Wong, owner of Toronto E-Cycle. “Plus, their tech support is in Toronto – no waiting for someone to fly in from the west coast.”

Fun fact: Great Lakes partners with local colleges to train the next generation of recyclers. Their “E-Waste Tech Academy” offers free courses on operating their equipment – a great way to build a skilled team.