Celebrating the 2025 Rs of Excellence Award Winners
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Recycling Council of Alberta Rs of Excellence Awards! These awards celebrate RCA members who are making remarkable contributions to advancing the circular economy in Alberta.
Changemaker Awards
Backroads Reclamation
Backroads Reclamation is a leader in Canada’s wood recycling industry, transforming salvaged and recycled wood waste into advanced materials. Their work reduces landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions, conserves forests, and supports biodiversity by decreasing reliance on virgin resources. Their work showcases sustainable innovation that serves as a model for reducing emissions and promoting circular economy practices.
The Arusha Centre – Repair Exchange
The Arusha Centre is transforming Calgary’s circular economy through Repair Exchange Calgary, a community-driven program that empowers residents to repair and reuse personal and household items. Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has hosted over 30 events, engaged 600+ participants, and repaired more than 750 items—diverting valuable materials from landfills and reducing emissions.
Impact Awards
Two Wheel View – Continuing Cycles Project
Two Wheel View Continuing Cycles Project exemplifies a circular economy by redirecting donated bicycles to community organizations, reducing waste, and supporting low-income Calgarians.
In 2024, TWV received 1,888 bike donations, sending 340 bikes to partners like the Flames Sport Bank. By August 2025, 392 bikes had already been distributed. TWV emphasizes the three R’s—reduce, reuse, recycle—daily, reusing parts and recycling over 900 tires and significant metal waste in 2024.
Explore Edmonton Corporation
Explore Edmonton has dramatically improved waste diversion at K-Days, increasing from 19% in 2022 to 58% in 2025, diverting 87,800 kg of waste. Success comes from engaging vendors, using Green Ambassadors to manage waste streams, and reducing contamination.
The organization has implemented Zero Waste practices at the Edmonton Expo and Convention Centres, replacing single-use items with compostable or bulk alternatives, and sharing best practices with other cities. Additionally, Explore Edmonton is advancing sustainability through Canada’s largest rooftop solar array and has been recognized by the Alberta Emerald Foundation for its sustainable tourism initiatives.
Educational Leader Award
City of Camrose & Wetaskiwin – Waste In Our Watershed (WOW) Program
The WOW program, developed in partnership with municipal, educational, health, and environmental organizations, aligns with Alberta’s Grade 4 curriculum and promotes environmental stewardship. Since 2016, it has reached nearly 1,800 students across 11 schools, offering tours of water treatment and recycling facilities led by local experts.
WOW encourages waste reduction, greenhouse gas mitigation, and water conservation, creating a lasting impact on students, families, and Central Alberta communities.
Innovation Award
Razphalt® by Synchor Recycling Inc.
Razphalt® was developed to address Calgary’s asphalt shingle waste, diverting 60–70 thousand tonnes from landfills and repurposing over 25,000 tonnes into durable, 100% upcycled surfacing.
Carbon-negative and stronger than gravel or recycled asphalt, Razphalt® is affordable, scalable, and sustainable. Razphalt® exemplifies practical, community-focused environmental protection, with nearly all materials recycled and a franchise model poised for national expansion.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Deborah Wehnes
Recognized for her lifelong commitment to waste reduction and environmental advocacy, Deborah’s leadership has left a lasting impact on Alberta’s recycling and circular economy community. Her passion and dedication continue to inspire those advancing sustainability across the province.
This year’s physical awards were designed and produced by ChopValue YYC, crafted from 1,650 locally recycled chopsticks—a perfect example of circular design and creativity in action.
