RCA’s August Visits with Circular Economy Champions

It’s always exciting to visit with RCA members and see circular economy practices in action.

Over the past month, RCA’s Operations and Partnerships Lead, Kyle Plante, had the chance to visit three organizations to learn more about their work, better understand their challenges and opportunities, and to strengthen connections with our members.

Grey is Green: Giving Used Plastic a New Purpose

On August 13, Kyle visited Grey Is Green at Pnewko in Lacombe, where Travis provided a tour of the facility and explained the organization’s process.

Grey Is Green transforms containers collected through Alberta’s used oil and paint recycling programs into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic lumber.

The material is used to create products including Muskoka chairs, picnic tables, greenhouses and planter boxes. Grey Is Green has also partnered with Premium Built Structures to incorporate its plastic lumber into post-frame foundations designed to resist rot, insects and soil fungi.

Earlier this year, Grey Is Green received an Emerald Award and the Judges’ Choice Award, recognizing the innovative work the organization is doing to recover value from materials that might otherwise be discarded.

Learn more about Grey is Green here

ReThink Red Deer: Creating a Home for Repair, Reuse and Community

Kyle also visited the brand-new home of ReThink Red Deer at the historic J.J. Gaetz House and surrounding property. The new location provides a unique setting for an initiative focused on repair, reuse, food and community. The organization’s vision for the property includes on-site compost production, garden boxes featuring native edible plants, and a greenhouse for growing vegetables and fruit.

ReThink Red Deer offers fee-based repair services for bikes, electronics and textiles. It also sells worm castings, compost and heirloom seeds.

At the heart of this work is a desire to reconnect people with where their food comes from, reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and support the long-term quality of life of people in Red Deer and the surrounding area.

Learn more about ReThink Red Deer here

Youth en Route: Repairing Bikes and Creating Opportunities

On August 26, Kyle visited Youth en Route’s Bike Hub in Calgary. Laura provided a thorough tour, introduced Kyle to the team and explained the program and its impact.

Youth en Route empowers young people to become healthy and resilient by providing the skills, confidence and bicycles they need to reach everyday destinations.

Its Bike Hub gives donated bicycles a second life through repair, refurbishment and reuse. Bikes beyond repair are carefully dismantled so usable components can be salvaged, while the remaining materials are recycled.

This approach extends product lifespans, preserves the value already embedded in materials and keeps valuable resources out of the waste stream. Just as importantly, the program pairs these environmental benefits with equitable access to active transportation, helping Calgary’s young people access the mobility they need for everyday life.

It is a strong example of how repair and reuse can deliver both environmental and social benefits.

Learn more about Youth en Route here

Seeing Alberta’s Circular Economy in Action

These visits are an important part of RCA’s work to connect with members and better understand what is happening across Alberta.We look forward to continuing to get out and meet the people and organizations helping move Alberta’s circular economy forward.