Momentum, Member Meetings, and Montreal

Connector May 2025

Letter from the Executive Director

April was a big month. Alberta’s EPR program officially launched. We hit the road for member tours and the Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES), teamed up with SAIT students on their circular capstone project, and celebrated Alberta leading the country in beverage container return rates. I also had the honour of cutting the ribbon at GFL Environmental Inc.’s brand-new Material Recovery Facility in Edmonton—a major investment in Alberta’s recycling infrastructure. CCES in Montreal was packed with fresh ideas, practical insights, and meaningful conversations with circular leaders from across Canada. The momentum is real and it’s powered by the work our network is doing every day. 

EPR Phase 1 Officially Launched 

April 1 marked the official start of Phase 1 of Alberta’s transition to Extended Producer Responsibility. This includes packaging and paper products, hazardous and special products (HSP), and the launch of the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program. It’s a significant milestone for Alberta—shifting recycling responsibility to producers and setting the stage for more consistent, efficient systems across the province. 

Just days before the launch, the Government of Alberta amended the regulation to exempt certain flexible, packaging-like materials—a change we flagged in our March 28 NewsFlash. Since then, the RCA has connected with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), and Circular Materials (CM), held a brief in-person meeting with Minister Schulz, sent a follow-up letter to the Minister, and shared ARMA’s clarifying bulletin. You can read our full April 24 NewsFlash update on the amendment here.

Learning and Collaboration at CCES 

I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES) in Montreal alongside over 950 circular economy leaders. The conversations were thoughtful, practical, and grounded in systems thinking. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlighted the importance of pairing strong data with compelling storytelling—reminding us that for circularity to succeed, products must be desirable and usable. 

The summit offered great inspiration as we begin shaping the agenda for RCA’s 2025 Conference in Jasper and next year’s Explore Circularity Day, which will focus on textiles. 

Save the Date: RCA Conference 2025 

The 2025 Recycling Council of Alberta Circular Economy Conference is set to launch at the stunning Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge from October 22 to 24. This year’s theme, “Shoot for the Stars” will take us to space to expand our horizons and envision a future where waste is no longer in our orbit, and circularity becomes our gravitational centre. ​

Join visionary leaders, innovators, and changemakers as we navigate today’s challenges, showcase cutting-edge solutions, and collaborate to build a galaxy where circularity isn’t  science fiction – it’s a reality. ​ Experience Alberta’s premier circular economy conference, where bold ideas take off, collaboration drives progress, and the possibilities are as endless as the universe. ​

Pre-boarding (registration) will commence in spring of 2025. 

Earth Day Site Visits and Member Tours 

Earth Day was the perfect time to connect in person with some of our members. Our Operations Manager, Jim Gordon, and I toured the Razphalt shingle recycling facility in Calgary. With hailstorms increasing, shingle recycling is becoming more urgent. Razphalt processed over 20,000 tonnes of shingles last year and has the capacity to divert nearly 40,000 tonnes annually. Their innovation keeps shingles out of landfill and turns them into a resurfacing material for roads and lots. 

We also visited The Arusha Centre, an organization working locally on energy awareness, climate change mitigation, waste diversion, and—most importantly—community building. We strategized about ideas on how to work together more tangibly, and we’re excited about the opportunities for supporting their repair cafés, pedal-powered energy projects, Calgary Dollars program, the Wheel of Wisdom, and more. Local action is one of the strongest drivers of circular systems.

These tours are a highlight for us—it’s energizing to see your work in action. If you’d like the RCA team to come visit your site, let us know. 

Alberta Tops the Nation in Beverage Container Returns 

Alberta has once again ranked #1 in Canada for beverage container return rates. We were proud to attend an event recognizing this achievement, celebrating the role of industry, government, and Albertans in building and maintaining one of the most effective deposit-return systems in the country. 

Congratulations to our members Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation, Beverage Container Management Board , and Alberta Bottle Depot Association, and to everyone working to build a more circular Alberta!

Supporting the Next Generation 

We also had the chance to engage with SAIT students working on a capstone project focused on the circular economy. It’s encouraging to see the next generation exploring real-world waste and material issues. Their creative thinking and practical solutions offer great promise for the future of our sector. 

New Resources for Circular Work 

To support your work, the RCA has recently launched: 

Thank you to everyone who shared their time, ideas, and energy in April. Your work is moving the circular economy forward in Alberta—one step, one conversation, and one action at a time. 

Jennifer Koole 

Executive Director 

Recycling Council of Alberta