Meet your RCA Directors: 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, we will feature board members in our Connector newsletter, showcasing their expertise, experience, and passions. We are proud to introduce you to Jodi Tomchyshyn London and André Joseph, two of our amazing Board of Directors.
Jodi Tomchyshyn London – Director
Jodi has 20 years’ experience developing, implementing and informing waste management and waste minimization legislation, regulation, policies, and programs. This includes: 10 years’ government experience designing regulations and policies to support recycling systems; four years’ experience overseeing EPR program implementation at Waste Diversion Ontario; two years’ experience as an Executive Director operating Alberta’s Used Oil Materials recycling program. Jodi has also operated JTL Squared Consulting Inc. since 2016. As a consultant, her work mainly focuses on encouraging and advancing best practices and policies related to waste minimization and recycling.
Jodi holds the degrees of Master of Environmental Design (Environmental Science) from the University of Calgary, and Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) from the University of Alberta. She considers herself to be a passionate leader, an EPR advocate, and a vocal Albertaplalker.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
The RCA Board and network is full of passionate people who are working towards the wild-assed dream of a circular economy. It’s a diverse, multi-background group of true believers who see opportunities where others might see challenges. It’s a collective of folks who not only walk the talk but carry others along in their journey. So, volunteering for the RCA has meant that I get to surround myself with people who inspire me every single day.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I was the RCA President for three years and was able to implement many of the changes I wanted to see in terms of the RCA’s accountability to its members. This year, I stepped back and refocused my volunteer time on supporting our ED and RCA members in their advocacy for EPR that makes sense for Alberta. This is an issue I’ve been working on and advocating for through the RCA for more than 20 years, and now we are months away from seeing EPR become a reality. The question, for me, is whether the government is brave enough to do what is right and what will provide the most benefit to Alberta over the short and long term -our economy, our people, and our environment- or what is easy and expedient. Governments tend towards regulating the easy and expedient and often this involves maintaining a government- stranglehold that limits the ability of industry to innovate solutions. To achieve a circular economy, we need full EPR, untethered, as a natural part of how businesses interact with the marketplace. EPR is a powerful policy structure that if implemented in a competitive marketplace and enforced (to prevent companies from being able to get by doing the same old things) can instigate and set a fire of innovation. Albertans have long had faith in the power and ingenuity of Alberta’s businesses to invest in and invent solutions. We will soon see if Alberta’s government has the same faith in our marketplace.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
I think, if I had to name one, which is almost absurd because I have a list of about 100, I would say: My pet peeve is Canada’s governments not preventing companies from profiting over greenwashing. We have companies advertising products as flushable and biodegradable that are anything but and are costing our communities millions of dollars in wastewater system repairs and litter cleanups. We have companies advertising products as recyclable and compostable that are not. We have companies collecting waste, claiming they are recycling it, and then shipping it for overseas dumping. We have companies arguing against laws that will prevent the kinds of litter that are killing migratory birds, water fowl, fish, and marine mammals. We have companies that are claiming and reporting against ESG goals while disposing of millions of dollars of perfectly usable goods in their retail dumpsters for tax credits. (On that last point, check out the dumpster diving groups on Facebook and you’ll be shocked at what they find on the regular.) All of these things have created a climate where even the well-meaning and pro-recycling public are confused about ‘what the right things to do is’ and whether they should be recycling at all! If I could wave my magic wand, the one thing I would change is provide the Competition Bureau with the capacity and mandate to implement strong, severe, and swift consequences for companies marketing and selling products and services with green claims that are even partially untrue.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
My best hack: Make the best use of what you have. Have veggie scraps? Freeze and then make a seriously delicious soup broth. Have a shampoo or conditioner that you don’t like? Use it as a shaving cream. Have canning jars? Use them to store anything and everything. Have eggs shells? Save them until dry and then grind them for your garden. Have shoes or clothes you love with a hole? Repair them – shoe cobblers and seamstresses still exist! Have too many unused lip balms in your drawer? Mix them with sugar in a bowl and create a great lip scrub. Have a cream you’re not totally in love with? Mix it will sugar and create a delicious body sugar scrub for your bath or shower. Have clothes you no longer love? Host a clothing swap with your friends to redistribute what you have. Have items you no longer use but are still useable or repairable? Advertise them for free on Facebook Marketplace or put them out with a free sign on your driveway. Have old, stained, but clean towels? Bring them to a pet rescue. And the list goes on… True reduction comes not from buying the latest eco-friendly gadget, but reducing what you buy new.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
My interests have really changed. I used to be really active. I loved moving: biking, camping, hiking, and travelling: “road trip” was my favourite phrase. In the last two years, the pandemic has really slowed me down … and I don’t think that’s a bad thing … it’s just where I am. So, my favourite thing is very simple: get out of the house with my dog, go for a walk, pick some litter along the way, and dose up on fresh air and sunshine.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
Hot summer day, floating down the Bow River with my hubby and my hound, no phones or distractions, and getting out of the raft for an occasional dip.
André Joseph – Director
André is a Senior Project Manager and Civil Engineer with over 14 years of experience in design, permitting, construction and operations. He manages large-scale capital projects, particularly industrial projects involving solid waste and renewable energy. In successfully leading many multidisciplinary project teams for various facility projects, he has developed a collaborative approach towards working with project teams, clients, government agencies, industry leaders, and the public and other stakeholders to deliver successful projects on schedule, within budget, and to client satisfaction. Previously, as the Manager of Solid Waste Engineering and Planning at the City of London, André focused on planning and delivering capital projects such as multiple landfill cell expansions, Material Recovery Facility (MRF) upgrades, landfill gas (LFG) collection and quantification, and biogas utilization, including upgrading biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG). Currently, he is collaborating with several private and public sector clients, utility companies, and organics management technology providers to deliver energy from waste and zero-waste solutions. A cornerstone of these solutions is the integration of solid waste, and other municipal master planning into capital projects. These projects generate landfill and biogas that can be upgraded to RNG within client facilities and sold into regional and North American energy markets. André is a firm believer in practicing what you preach when it comes to sustainability and conservation.
When André is not focused on waste diversion and energy projects, he spends his time cooking coaching grassroots soccer.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
Service and Collaboration – Being an RCA board member has allowed me the privilege of representing our members and the public in collaboration with some of the best minds in the waste industry. Together we tackle some of the most pressing issues facing Albertan communities and industries today, such as the development of true circular economies, waste reduction and diversion strategies, and climate change. As a board, we influence government policy and regulation through direct engagement and advocacy, as well as provide opportunities for professional development to our members through education and training. Best of all, at the end of the day when all the hard work is done, I get to enjoy a cold beer with my fellow board members and friends.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
As an RCA board member, I believe that we have an inherent responsibility to continue to move the needle on sustainability. As we transition to full-scale implementation of EPR in Alberta, I would like to collaborate with our board and members to continue advocating for the development of a true circular economy based on organics as a resource instead of a waste. This is one of many steps that we can take in stemming the effects of climate change.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
Besides the fact that Oscar the Grouch was never recognized as a true champion of the environment? Commoditizing the Environment – It is now trendy to be environmentally “woke”, however very few of us practice what we preach in our day-to-day lives. As a waste profession, we can often be driven solely by profit; constantly make trade-offs between base compliance, profitability and the environment. We need to continue to raise the bar as an industry and drive ingenuity and true environmental awareness as the basis of everything that we do. Not all heroes wear capes, some are willing to fight for what is right even if it means living in a trash can.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
I am the cook in my house. I have adopted an old-world approach to cooking for my family and friends using tips and tricks learnt from my grandmother to avoid waste. When we have more food we need, we share it with my community. Bones make great stock and vegetable scraps make excellent compost. Food tastes better when shared and nothing should be wasted.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
When I am not dodging hail in Calgary in July, I enjoy exploring the mountains and foothills with my family.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
A perfect Saturday for me involves getting before the sun for an early morning workout, followed by a visit to a few of my local chef markets before getting on to the soccer pitch to coach an amazing group of young soccer players. At the end of the day, I enjoy sharing a meal with my closest friends over a glass of old rum – hold the coke.