December 2025 Letter from the Executive Director
Big Shot, Board, and Building Blocks
This month’s Connector is brought to you by the letter B for Big Shot, Board leadership, and the Building blocks of what’s ahead for 2026.
In November, fresh off our annual conference, we hosted the first Big Shot Circular Pitch Night, connected with municipal leaders, welcomed our newly elected Executive, and launched early-bird registration for Explore Circularity Day 2026. We are also starting to get ready for our Christmas party in December, and it feels like great momentum heading into the new year.
Big Shot: Alberta’s Circular Pitch Night
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Edmonton Unlimited on November 19th for Big Shot, Alberta’s Circular Pitch Night. More than seventy people gathered to support circular innovation, connect with entrepreneurs, and cheer on five creative pitches working toward a more circular Alberta.
We are pleased to share that this year’s winner is The Connected Kitchen Project. Congratulations to all five presenters for bringing forward thoughtful and inspiring ideas.
A sincere thank you to Michael Chae, Director, Enterprise Partnerships from University of Alberta, our MC, and Colin Christensen, our pitch coach, for guiding the evening, and to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.
Board: Executive Elected
November also included the annual election of the RCA Executive. Thank you to everyone who put their name forward and continues to support the RCA’s work through leadership and service.
Congratulations to the 2025 Executive:
• President: Mortimer Capriles
• Vice President: Clayton Miller
• Secretary: Cathy Heron
• Treasurer: Shawn Samborsky
Building Blocks
Representing RCA at the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Convention
I had the opportunity to join Assar Grinde at the 2025 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall Convention and Tradeshow to speak about the Alberta Ag-Plastic. Recycle it! pilot. On behalf of the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG), we shared how the program supports farmers by recycling grain bags and twine, and why an extension of the pilot and a long-term solution under Extended Producer Responsibility are both needed. The response was incredibly positive, with many attendees signing letters of support right in the room.
I am grateful for the strong interest in keeping agricultural plastics out of landfills. As a part of the APRG Executive Committee, I also had the opportunity to meet with the Ministers of Environment and Protected Areas and Agriculture & Irrigation the following week to reiterate the messages and to thank them for funding both an extension and expansion of the Recycle It! Pilot.
Our team also attended the Alberta Municipalities Strength in Members 2025 Convention and Trade Show in Calgary. It was a great chance to connect with municipal leaders from across the province, and we appreciated everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello.
Upcoming RCA Events: Explore Circularity Day and Christmas Party
With November wrapped up, we are already looking ahead.
Explore Circularity Day returns in March with a focus on textiles for 2026. Our first event promotions were released this month, and early bird registration is now open. We also have an exciting keynote speaker to announce soon! If your organization would like to sponsor or get involved, we would be glad to chat.
And before we close out the year, we hope to see you at the RCA Christmas Party on December 11 in Lacombe. It is always a warm and lively evening, and a chance to gather and celebrate the year’s progress.
Jennifer Koole
Executive Director
Recycling Council of Alberta