September 2026: Executive Director Letter

Connector September 2026

B: B is for Building

This month has been about building — building relationships across Alberta’s circular economy community, building momentum toward our conference, and building the connections and capacity that help our members move good ideas into action. That work takes many forms. Sometimes it’s a conversation with a potential conference speaker. Sometimes it’s bringing community educators together to work through a shared priority. And sometimes it’s getting out of the office and visiting members to see their work firsthand.

Building relationships and momentum

Planning for the 2026 RCA Annual Circular Economy Conference continues to take shape.

We’ve been meeting with and interviewing potential speakers and panelists. We’re building a strong lineup of voices, experiences and perspectives that we hope will lead to practical conversations, new ideas, and meaningful connections during the conference. We’ve announced Crystal Dreisbach from Upstream as our keynote to bring her inspirational expertise on reuse to our attendees. Our full program description and most of our speaker line up is now available on the website.

These conversations are also helping us look beyond this year’s event.

One area we’re beginning to explore is Industrial Circularity, a theme that will be central to Explore Circularity Day 2027. As we speak with people working across different industries, we’re learning more about the possibilities, questions and ideas that could help shape this important conversation in the years ahead.

At the same time, we’re building strong momentum on the sponsorship side. We’re getting very close to our sponsorship target, and I’m grateful to the organizations that have already committed their support. Sponsorship helps us bring the sector together while giving organizations meaningful ways to connect with Alberta’s circular economy community.

There are also just four exhibitor spaces remaining. If your organization is interested in getting involved, as a sponsor, exhibitor or both, now is a great time to connect with us.

See conference sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities

Building capacity through connection

Another important focus this month has been the engagement of RCA’s Circular Economy Community Educators (CECE) group. With approximately 70 people now registered, CECE is bringing together municipalities and organizations working directly with communities to share resources and strengthen public education around recycling and the circular economy.

Right now, the group’s priority is supporting communities through Alberta’s EPR transition, including a close collaborative exchange with Circular Materials as members prepare for the changes ahead.

If your work involves direct community education and engagement, we also invite you to join the conversation.

Building connections by getting out and about

Some of the best ways to understand what’s happening in Alberta’s circular economy are to get out and see it firsthand.

This month, Kyle Plante, the RCA’s new Operations and Partnerships Lead, has been visiting members and organizations across Central Alberta, learning more about their work and seeing practical circular economy solutions in action.

Read more about Kyle’s visits here.

These visits give RCA an opportunity to better understand the needs and realities facing our members while also sharing the stories of people doing inspiring work across Alberta. These are exactly the kinds of stories we want to continue showcasing through RCA.

They’re also a good reminder that nominations for the 2026 Rs of Excellence Awards are still open. Do you know an individual, organization or initiative doing exceptional work in waste reduction, resource conservation or the circular economy? I encourage you to nominate them before the September 11 deadline.

I’m also pleased that we’ve now confirmed this year’s Rs of Excellence awards committee and judging panel:

Avery Mrack – Advisor, Town of Cochrane
Chris Cattoni – Senior Technical Advisor, WiQ Technologies
Iris Monner – Manager, Standards Strategic Development, CSA Group
Iris Yan Environmental Systems and Sustainability Manager, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Lauren Maris – Climate Program Management Lead, Government of Alberta. Environmental Program Specialist, The City of Red Deer. Author and Sustainability Strategist, Earthwise Solutions.
Olivia Smith – Waste and Recycling Educator, City of Calgary
Jule Asterisk – Project Manager, Plastics Remanufacture Project (REAC)
Jay Sanderson – Founder and President, Northmark Materials Ltd. RCA Board of Directors.
Deana Chauvet – Manager, Environmental Services, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. RCA Board of Directors.

Thank you to each of them for contributing their time and expertise.

Nominations close September 11, 2026.

That’s what we’ve been building this month. And we’re looking forward to what comes next.

—
Jennifer Koole
Executive Director
Recycling Council of Alberta