How CFT Group Turns Ottawa’s Scrap Metal Into Something Useful for Everyone

Most Ottawans interact with the metal recycling industry without ever thinking about where their discarded metal actually goes. The cars taken off the road, the appliances replaced, the wiring removed during renovations, and the metal objects cleared out of garages and sheds all enter a system that operates mostly out of public view. Last month, a group of local councillors, community leaders, and select media were given a rare look inside that system when CFT Group opened its new facility at 6682 Bank Street. What they saw was a modern and tightly managed operation that plays a quiet but essential role in the region’s circular economy.

CFT Group is the parent organization behind several integrated divisions, including CFT Recycling, which handles metal recovery and processing, and CFT Storage, which provides secure outdoor storage and mobile office solutions. Using the division names helps customers easily identify the service they need, whether they are bringing in scrap metal or looking for storage and job‑site infrastructure.

CFT Group CEO Charbel Bouroufail welcomed visitors and spoke about the importance of helping the public understand how metal recycling supports both the environment and the local economy.

“We opened this facility because we wanted to bring CFT Recycling closer to more people in Ottawa. We’ve built our name on taking care of our customers and making sure they’re getting the best prices out there, and we’re not shy about that. But what really drives us is knowing that every piece of metal that comes through our gates isn’t going to a landfill. It’s going back into the economy. We want people to understand that when they recycle their metal, they’re actually doing something real for this city — and we’re here to make that as simple and worthwhile as possible.”

Above: Surrounded by staff, CEO Charbel Bouroufail cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Bank Street South location.

The visit offered a clear view of how metal recycling works at scale. Visitors saw the machinery, the environmental safeguards, the sorting processes, and the people who keep the operation moving. Through guided yard tours and conversations with staff, they watched how discarded metal is processed and returned to the supply chain with efficiency and care.

“We wanted people to see the reality of this industry,” said Emanuel Vasilescu, Director of Sales for CFT Recycling. “Most of what we do is invisible to the public, but it touches every part of daily life. It affects construction, manufacturing, and transportation. This was a chance to show the professionalism and environmental responsibility behind the scenes.”

CFT Recycling operates four locations across the region. The company’s flagship site is in Stittsville, followed by facilities in Pembroke and Aylmer, and now the new Bank Street location in Ottawa. Together, these sites divert thousands of tonnes of metal from landfills each year. They supply manufacturers with recycled material that reduces emissions and conserves natural resources.

The Bank Street facility is designed for efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility. The yard is organized into clearly defined areas for intake, sorting, and processing. Materials are handled on a clean and well‑maintained surface that prevents contamination and ensures that all metal is managed responsibly. The site reflects a level of order and control that counters common misconceptions about the recycling industry.

The facility also operates within a strict regulatory framework. CFT Recycling’s processes meet all City of Ottawa, provincial, and federal requirements for metal handling, environmental protection, and site management, including controls on runoff, containment, and material tracking. The Bank Street site was designed to exceed these standards, reflecting the company’s focus on responsible and transparent operations.

CFT Recycling serves both residential and commercial customers, and the range of material they accept is broader than most people realize. Homeowners clearing out garages or sheds can bring in old appliances, tools, bicycles, wiring, radiators, roofing metal, copper piping, aluminum siding, cast iron, steel beams, and even strings of burnt‑out Christmas lights. The company also accepts automotive metal such as rims, rotors, and car parts, along with construction scrap including rebar, sheet metal, and structural steel. If an item is made of metal, CFT Recycling will take it, sort it, and recycle it. Customers are paid for the material they bring in, turning unwanted metal into a meaningful return for homeowners and contractors alike.

CFT Recycling buys aluminum, copper, brass, wiring, and other metals by the pound, and their Ottawa yard uses a dedicated separation system that pulls recyclable metals out of mixed loads before anything moves on to the next stage of the recycling process at a steel mill or foundry.

For larger home projects, the company offers bin delivery. “If someone is doing a renovation or a clean out, we can send a bin right to their driveway,” Vasilescu explained. “They fill it at their own pace, we pick it up, and they get paid for the metal. It is simple and accessible for anyone.” Customers can also drop off material directly at any of CFT Recycling’s four locations, where staff will assist with unloading and sorting.

Commercial clients rely on CFT Recycling for consistent and large‑volume metal recovery. “Every tonne of metal we recover is a tonne that does not end up in a landfill,” said Jim McLaughlin, B2B Commercial Account Manager. “It is also a tonne that does not need to be mined again. That is real environmental impact, and it happens quietly every day.”

Beyond recycling, CFT Storage provides secure outdoor storage for vehicles, equipment, and contractor use. This addition reflects the needs of residents and businesses that require long‑term storage with reliable access and security. The layout of the yard supports safe movement of vehicles and machinery and demonstrates the company’s emphasis on organization and environmental protection.

CFT Storage has also expanded its services with a new fleet of 20‑foot mobile office units built for job sites and commercial operations. These offices are constructed from heavy‑gauge steel, delivered fully cleaned, and equipped with heating, air conditioning, LED lighting, multiple electrical outlets, and secure entry. Each unit provides roughly 150 square feet of bright, functional workspace and can be deployed anywhere, including stacked configurations for tighter sites. It’s a practical extension of CFT Group’s commitment to providing reliable, site-ready solutions for contractors and businesses across Eastern Ontario.

“We built this site to be clean, efficient, and environmentally secure,” McLaughlin said. “Everything is contained, monitored, and managed properly. It is the standard we believe every modern facility should meet.”

As the tour concluded, CEO Charbel Bouroufail reflected on the broader role of the company in the region’s sustainability efforts.

“When I look at what we’ve built across our four locations, I’m proud of the role we play in this region. We’re not just moving metal, we’re keeping valuable materials in circulation, reducing emissions, and supporting businesses and homeowners every single day. Ottawa is growing, and the demand for what we do is only going in one direction. We’re ready for it.”

As Ottawa continues to prioritize sustainability and responsible growth, CFT Group’s work sits at the intersection of environmental necessity and industrial expertise. The company’s operations are not simply about scrap metal. They are about ensuring that valuable materials remain in circulation rather than becoming waste.

For most people, recycling is a blue bin. For CFT Recycling, it is a complex and essential system that keeps the economy moving and the environment protected.

Photos: Courtesy CFT Group