Meet your RCA Directors: A Monthly Feature
We are very proud to highlight two of our Board of Directors, Sarah Wilmot and Tammy Burke!
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 Sarah Wilmot and Tammy Burke, two of our amazing Board of Directors.
Sarah Wilmot – Director
Sarah has over twenty years of experience in solid waste management. For the first two decades of her career, Sarah worked as a consultant, evaluating waste management systems and developing waste management plans that reflect best practices in waste reduction and diversion. As a consultant, she worked with local and regional governments across western Canada, Ontario, and internationally. Sarah joined the City of Edmonton two years ago, motivated by a desire to implement the kinds of changes she had experience designing and recommending.
Since joining the City, Sarah has become an integral part of the team that is operationalizing the City’s 25-year Waste Strategy. Sarah supported the Edmonton Cart Rollout and was a major contributor to the business case for mandatory source separation at multi-unit buildings. Sarah was responsible for the City’s first Waste Reduction Roadmap, which is a three-year action-oriented work plan that identifies programs, services and regulations that will result in less waste being produced by both residential and non-residential sectors. The Roadmap also includes specific targets and measurable outcomes related to waste reduction. The process of developing the roadmap revitalized the City’s connections with key waste stakeholders, and gave Sarah an opportunity to better understand the leadership role various non-government entities are playing in shifting public perception about waste and consumption. Sarah is currently working to establish a Waste Reduction Network for businesses and organizations, and is excited to be responsible for writing Edmonton’s single-use item reduction strategy and bylaw. Sarah has been a member of the RCA’s Waste Reduction Week Working Group, and is looking forward to becoming more involved with the RCA. She offers a perspective that is informed by her range of roles and experience working across many jurisdictions.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
I’m enjoying getting to know other people working on waste reduction and diversion from across the province and from different sectors. I’m also really enjoying the opportunity to dig deeper on important topics like extended producer responsibility, and explore topics that are new to me, such as textile recycling.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I’m looking forward to helping make RCA municipalities’ go-to source of information about EPR and circular economy.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
A pet peeve of mine is when people don’t make a distinction between waste reduction and waste diversion. Diversion is certainly easier to see and measure, but reduction is our ultimate goal.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
Menu planning! It’s tried and true, and really helps cut down on the amount of food that gets wasted.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
My family and I moved to Alberta about 3.5 years ago, so over half our time living here has been during the pandemic. That means we’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, so we’ve been doing a lot of camping, biking and skiing.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
On a perfect Saturday, I’d sleep in, have my kids make breakfast, and then go for a long bike ride!
Tammy Burke – Director
Tammy Burke is a long-time resident and former Mayor of Rocky Mountain House, a community which she has called home for most of her life. Tammy and her husband raised their two children here and now enjoy having their six grandchildren visit. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and loves to be in the mountains skiing, biking, hiking, or officiating a wedding in the beautiful west country. She began her involvement in Municipal Government in 2013-2017 when she was elected as a Councillor for the town of Rocky Mountain House. Tammy went on to serve as Mayor from 2017-2021. During this later term she held seats on many boards and committees both locally and provincially.
As a supporter of better environmental practices, Tammy was an active member of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Environment and Sustainability Committee from Dec 2016 to October 2021. This committee advocates for better Environmental standards for all Albertans. Since first joining the committee Tammy had the opportunity to learn about successful environmental initiatives happening throughout Alberta.
During her term as Mayor, Tammy was instrumental in steering the Town of Rocky Mountain House’s progress on its Waste Reduction Strategy, including better waste diversion options for residents and businesses. This included the implementation of a curbside pickup program for household organics.
Reducing the amount of solid waste heading to landfill is critical, but municipalities can’t do it alone. That’s why the Town of Rocky Mountain House Council, under Mayor Burke’s leadership, successfully supported a resolution for AUMA to lobby the provincial government to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in Alberta. This is the mechanism by which the burden of recycling paper and packaging lies with producers.
Tammy believes that EPR must be easy to use, convenient, consistent, and economically viable. Only the provincial government has the authority to enact these regulations and bring Alberta in line with the rest of Canada, but municipalities, industry and the Recycling Council of Alberta also have important rolls to play to bring it to fruition.
Tammy has been a long-time community volunteer and has a passion for the wellbeing of the citizens of Rocky Mountain House and surrounding community.
She believes strongly in waste diversion, circular economy, and anything else that will help to preserve our planet for the next generations. We must all do our part.
What do you enjoy the most about being an RCA Board Member?
I am so incredibly honored to be serving on the RCA Board. I love being surrounded by like-minded people and respect all the passion and knowledge that all board members, staff and affiliate members bring. Every board meeting feels like an educational session to me.
What change/impact are you looking forward to making with the RCA?
I am really hoping that I can increase the awareness of RCA in my community and wherever I can. I believe that RCA is such a wealth of knowledge and feel that many can benefit by this.
What is your biggest “pet peeve” in the world of waste? What keeps you up at night?
My biggest disappointment in the world of waste is that many still don’t understand what can and can’t be recycled or diverted from the landfill. Educating public on cost associated with diversion needs to be at the forefront.
What is your best day-to-day waste reduction hack/tip?
My biggest advice on waste reduction is to start buying second hand. Our world is full of “stuff” we must start asking ourselves, “how much do we need?” Also, I believe that every household needs to stop landfilling food waste. All food waste needs to be diverted to a composting facility, full stop.
What is your favourite Alberta pastime?
I love taking advantage of everything that our beautiful province offers us, in all seasons. It may be cross country or downhill skiing, hiking, or walking on my local trails. I love the mix of recreation that our country offers us. As a marriage officiant, I enjoy the many different venues I have been asked to attend to perform my duties.
What does a perfect Saturday look like for you?
A perfect Saturday to me is, a walk before coffee, listening to my favourite radio shows (CKUA) and, depending on season, gardening, reading, or cooking a great meal to share with friends or family. We live in an amazing province with a quickly changing forecast. We need to be prepared to adapt and enjoy all.