Meet your RCA Board Members: A Monthly Feature
The Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) is an agent of change – promoting, facilitating, and advocating for a Circular Economy in Alberta through waste reduction and resource conservation. It is an exciting time for the RCA, as a grassroots organization with an active and respected voice, our work to reduce waste and advance the broader benefits of a circular economy is making waves in Alberta and across the country.
To name a few recent successes, the RCA helped the government of Alberta introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, launched circular economy initiatives in Albertan communities with the Circular Communities project, and created a guide as an introduction to on-farm composting for farmers, ranchers and landowners.
These successes are possible thanks to our Board of Directors who each bring a unique background and skillset to our organization. Together, these industry experts help position the RCA as one of Alberta’s strongest voices helping to advance a Circular Economy.
Each month, the RCA will feature board members in our monthly Connector newsletter. We are very proud to introduce you to our executive team for 2022.
Jeannie Bertrand – President
Jeannie has been working in solid waste management for over twelve years. She has been consulting to municipal, private sector, and First Nations clients across Canada, and enjoys engaging with people to understand their needs. Her work has focused on providing support to help improve solid waste management practices, we all as driving the development of circular economy through awareness and project development.
Jeannie is a registered professional Geologist in Alberta, and holds a degree in Earth Sciences and Business from the University of Alberta. Prior to working in waste management, she spent seven years working as a geologist on mineral exploration projects across Canada. She is currently leading a team of solid waste professionals at Dillon Consulting, and is working and living in Edmonton.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
I love getting to work with a variety of passionate and like-minded people, knowing that we are working together to improve things for future generations.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I am looking forward to building on the excellent work that has already been accomplished by the RCA, and working to deliver more relevant content to support to our members. I believe that Alberta is in a great position to be a leader in developing a Circular Economy, and I would love to see the RCA leading and supporting that growth.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
The fact the products continue to be designed, marketed, and sold with no consideration for how long they can be used, or where they will end up.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
Estate Sales! I have bought most of my furniture and kitchen items from Estate Sales, where you can buy almost everything you need to furnish your home.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
Camping. Alberta has such a great diversity of landscapes and great parks to experience, it’s been lots of fun to explore them.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
I love to spend time outside with my kids, and cooking a great meal with friends at the end of the day.
Isabelle Couture – Vice-President
Isabelle has more than 10 years of experience working in the public, private and non-profit sectors leading successful programs that promote a stronger, circular economy.
Isabelle’s passion for sustainability and evidence-based policy led her to pursue graduate studies in public administration at the University of Victoria and volunteer with several environmental groups across Canada before launching in 2017 Plastic-Free YYC, a non-profit dedicated to preventing waste. In this role, she has collaborated with the RCA on several initiatives, including the delivery of a Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy workshop in 2019.
Isabelle is passionate about building a circular economy in Canada and increasing waste reduction opportunities. She is the Director of Operations and Engagement for both Smart Prosperity Institute and The Natural Step Canada, where she supports various work portfolios, including their Circular Economy work.
Isabelle has received several awards for her sustainability work, such as the 2019 Rs of Excellence Award for Grassroots Group. She was also named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2020.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to connect and work with amazing thought leaders and experts who are dedicated to reducing waste in our province and country. Their drive is inspiring and infectious. It is extremely rewarding to be part of a proactive and solution-oriented team.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I am excited to contribute to the development of a circular economy in Alberta, with Extended Producer Responsibility in place and stakeholders from across the value chain being involved in eliminating waste. Having founded a small non-profit, I wish to engage more small organizations and businesses in this work so that innovative solutions, products and services may be scaled up.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
A fragmented waste management system which leads to a lot of confusion amongst consumers and “wishcycling”.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
Mindfully consider every purchase. Do I really need it? Can it be borrowed? Purchased second-hand? And wait at least a week for any large purchase to avoid impulse buying.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
Hitting the slopes! I only learned to ski a few years ago and while I’m still learning to navigate the blues, there’s nothing quite like finding yourself at the top of a mountain on a clear day when the sun is shining. The beauty of our landscape is breathtaking, and it is a great reminder of why I do the work I do to protect our environment.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
The day would start with my husband and I going to one of our many fantastic local roasters and grabbing a hot beverage in our to-go mugs. Then we’d head over to the dog park with our senior pup for a walk in the sun. The day would end with sharing laughs with friends at a brewery or over a warm homemade meal.
Christy Lyon – Treasurer
Christy Lyon is a professional engineer with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and 16 years of managerial and leadership experience in the waste and recycling industry. She is an industry leader with diverse experience in managing waste and wastewater in both the public and private sectors.
Christy spent 16 years working for The City of Calgary including 11 years in Waste & Recycling managing one of the three landfills and the hauling operations. In 2015, she made the choice to join the private sector and has since been involved in hauling, processing and landfills. Recently, Christy joined The City of Calgary for a temporary special project that will support healthy and sustainable practices in the waste sector.
The Recycling Council of Alberta has the platform to positively influence and impact decisions made by all levels in government and by all industry professionals with respect to materials currently considered waste. Christy has a history of promoting solutions that are practical and innovative. Although we are facing some difficult issues related to waste diversion and management, Christy is committed to working with other industry professionals to develop solutions that can meet customers and Alberta residents’ expectations.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
I enjoy learning about and discussing activities and innovative ideas with the waste and recycling sector at an early adopter stage.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I am looking forward to the innovative changes related to materials that will be diverted over the next few years
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
My biggest pet peeve is when someone calls a landfill a dump. I stay up at night thinking about how much effort frontline workers in waste and recycling put in and how little credit they get for their effort because society doesn’t value that effort.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
Don’t have kids, hahaha, seriously, reusable cotton bags for groceries (I have had some for …since university).
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
Driving out to and hiking, skiing, or camping near or in the mountains.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
A perfect Saturday includes eating, reading, or knitting and some kind of activity – usually curling in the winter.
David Schaaf – Secretary
David Schaaf recently retired from the position of Waste & Recycling Services Manager for the City of Lethbridge, where he held the position from 2003 till 2018. As the Waste & Recycling Manager, he oversaw the delivery of waste prevention programs, commercial & residential recycling programs, commercial & residential waste collection programs and management of the Waste & Recycling Centre.
He has been with the City of Lethbridge since 1991, working in a variety of areas including Fleet management, Facility management, and Information technology.
He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Prior to joining the City of Lethbridge, his work experience involved working as a design engineer within the agriculture manufacturing sector.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
Being able to contribute to improving the performance of our environmental systems in Alberta.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
Moving the concept of the Circular Economy from being a concept only known by those in the industry to becoming mainstream knowledge at the consumer level.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
How we think that recycling is the silver bullet that will solve all of our problems.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
You can fix anything, just ‘Google it.’
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
Enjoying the sun and the open skies of the prairies.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
Being in the outdoor in the presence of nature. Not controlling nature, but being a part of it.
