What Would Nature Do? And Other Messages from Behind the Looking Glass
The Recycling Council of Alberta’s annual waste reduction conference, themed “Through the Looking Glass”, was a mad success! The conference was held at The Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta where guests were immersed in the world of wonderland, from the session titles to the costumes at the banquet. “Through the Looking Glass” turned out to be a very appropriate theme for the conference in these pandemic times.
Speakers throughout the conference addressed this theme with discussion on the circular economy, waste reduction, reuse, and composting. The conference provided extensive networking opportunities in a safe environment. Over the three days, attendees heard from thought leaders from around the world, exchanged ideas and perspectives with their peers and took part in the vital conversations helping to advance the circular economy.
The conference kicked off with an update on regulatory waste issues at both provincial and national levels. Jaclyn Schmidt (Alberta Environment and Parks) highlighted current work happening on Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) file, while Chelsea Rochman (University of Toronto) provided great insight into what is happening at the Federal Policy level related to CEPA, Plastics and Single Use Items. Heidi Sanborn from the National Stewardship Action Council shared the significant strides they are making in the US.
The two concurrent sessions on Wednesday afternoon were The Hatter and the Hare – Waste Less Fare and Sense and Nonsense – Defining Waste Reduction. In the Waste Less Fare session attendees heard from local leaders in the field including food rescue, reduction, and composting projects. In the Defining Waste Reduction session, presenters touched on what it really means to recycle, the processes and systems that enable it, and how we design systems and measure results for the best possible outcomes.
On Thursday, which marked Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day, it was a sea of orange as attendees were invited to wear an orange shirt to reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of the Indian residential school system, to remember those who lost their lives and to commemorate survivors.
Thursday’s opening session was called “Every adventure requires a first step” (The Cheshire Cat) – Innovation and featured innovative organizations and individuals challenging the status quo despite living with the challenges of a climate crisis and global pandemic. From Lacombe-based Blindman Brewery to Blenderz, a zero waste, zero export, textile recycling company to an Edson-based recycling depot that provides emergency shelter, speakers spoke about rising above adversity with new and innovative ways to adapt and evolve.
Guests were also privileged to hear from the conference’s keynote speaker Peter von Tiesenhausen, a renowned multidisciplinary artist and master storyteller who spoke about his work and methodology which is characterized by an intent pursuit of ecological sustainability, and an attempt to understand time and substance. The materials he employs often engineer decay rather than impose permanence, as he explores the spirit, birth and death, nature and artifice, decay and regrowth, and the environment.
Attendees for the Thursday afternoon concurrent sessions heard experts talk about opportunities and specific projects to advance a circular economy in the construction and demolition sector, including a zero-waste building project in Calgary and deconstruction company in Vancouver. At the same time, attendees could also choose the Zero Waste Tea Party session that looked at the opportunities and benefits of reusables, including the local Banff Isn’t Disposable program.
The final plenary session of the day, which kicked off with remarks by Hon. Dale Nally, Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity, delved into the work of organizations who are advancing plastics circularity to reduce pollution and unnecessary plastics generation, while creating better management practices and innovative approaches to enhanced reuse and recycling. This session featured a broad range of speakers from as far as Australia, and as diverse as chemical companies and an environmental foundation.
The Mad Hatter Tea Party Banquet did not disappoint. Hon. Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, presented this year’s Rs of Excellence to outstanding organizations making incredible contributions to advancing a Circular Economy in Alberta.
Conference attendees really stepped up their costume game for the annual costume contest at the Mad Hatter Tea Party banquet with top props going to Khurram Dhedhi dressed as time.
Attendees at Friday’s morning sessions took part in discussions, reflecting and learning from leaders advancing the circular economy around the world and explored some of the progressive approaches by jurisdictions across Canada who are increasingly implementing initiatives with the potential to build a Circular Economy.
Beyond all of the thought-provoking sessions, attendees hit the golf course, took a guided tour through the woods and strapped on their sneakers for a scavenger hunt highlighting Banff businesses leading the way on zero waste initiatives.
That concluded another year of the RCA conference, where attendees enjoyed a much-needed change of scenery, replacing their computer screens with a view of the spectacular Rockies and an opportunity to exchange ideas with the best in the industry. Thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers – our sincere thanks. We couldn’t do this without you. You believe in the work that is happening and your support means we can keep making it happen.
Presentations from the sessions will be made available on the website in the next few weeks. Also stay tuned for upcoming video of the plenary sessions.
