As we prepare to gather in Victoria in October, dive into our program, where innovative experts share solutions for the future of solid waste management in British Columbia.
We kick things off with early access to our Virtual Hall for registered delegates, providing an opportunity to update your networking profile, explore the virtual space, and engage in exclusive Bonus Events designed to enhance your conference experience
All of our pre-conference Bonus Events are included with a full registration or can be attended as single events by those unable to attend the whole conference.
Wednesday boasts a full day of roundtables, tours, workshops, Exhibitors, and a Networking Café to meet with friends, nosh, and network. Thursday is a full day of plenary panels, networking breaks, and a fun-filled Dinner and Dance! Friday is another informative, thought-provoking half-day.
From action-packed adventures to heartwarming tales, we’re bringing classic ’95 movie magic to every session. We’ve gone full ’90s nostalgia by theming our sessions around epic movies from 1995. Who says learning can’t have a cool soundtrack and some serious retro vibes!
1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Usual Suspects
Just as investigators slowly piece together inconsistencies in the main character’s story, waste management professionals use sorting, testing, and tracking to identify contamination sources and various methods to compel the right actions in communities. Let’s hear about some leading contamination reduction strategies that uncover and solve the hidden truths.
Strathcona County
City of Mission
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Recycle BC
City of Kamloops
1995 Movie Panel Theme: A Toy Story
The entire premise revolves around toys finding new purpose and meaning as they’re passed between children. Woody and Buzz don’t become worthless when Andy outgrows them – they discover renewed joy with Bonnie. This mirrors how we can extend the life of objects by reusing or finding new uses for them. Let’s learn from those who are redefining our relationship with objects to be based on care, creativity, and community rather than constant replacement.
Reusables.com
Share Reuse Repair
KORE Outdoors
Thingery
Tamara Shulman & Associates
Delicious options are available and ready to take to your session or pull up a chair in the Networking Cafe!
Pre-registration is required. Sign-up information will be sent to the CWMA E&C Working Group and all registered delegates in September.
Township of Langley
Let's Talk Trash
Let's Talk Trash
Join us for dynamic, small-group conversations designed to spark meaningful connections! Each table features a thought-provoking topic where you can meet fellow attendees and dive into engaging discussions. Simply grab your coffee, choose a topic that interests you, and pull up a chair. Conference Committee members at each table will help with introductions and keep the conversation flowing naturally. It’s a perfect opportunity to expand your network while exploring ideas that matter to you. Topics:
1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Demolitionist
Just as the 1995 film transforms a destroyed life into a force for justice, this panel represents the transformation of destructive practices into regenerative ones. Let’s move beyond demolition and toward compelling salvage, conservation, reuse and reclamation. How can we engage all stakeholders as active partners in achieving better environmental outcomes more quickly?
The ReUse People of Canada
City of Victoria
Ecowaste
Kiwi Innovation
Light House
1995 Movie Panel Theme: The Net
Just like Sandra Bullock’s character discovers the incredible power hidden within computer networks, your non-profit is about to uncover the game-changing capabilities lurking inside Microsoft 365 Copilot and other AI. In “The Net,” Angela was a systems analyst navigating complex digital landscapes to solve problems. Today’s non-profit leaders are doing the same thing, except instead of uncovering conspiracies, they’re uncovering untapped efficiencies and community insights.
Society for Talent Uplift and ReNewal (TURN)
MASH Hazeltons
Cowichan Valley Regional District
1995 Movie Panel Theme: Apollo 13
In 1995’s Apollo 13, Flight Director Gene Kranz delivered one of cinema’s most memorable lines: “Failure is not an option.” Faced with a system failure 200,000 miles from Earth, NASA’s mission control had to transform raw telemetry data into life-saving decisions. Today, we face a mission-critical challenge here on Earth. With climate targets looming and growing waste streams, failure truly is not an option. But just like the Apollo 13 crew, our panellists are discovering that the right data, analyzed intelligently and acted upon decisively, can turn impossible challenges into solvable problems.
University of British Columbia
Return-It
Tetra Tech
For participant updates on solid waste initiatives. Pre-registration is required. A sign-up will be sent to registered delegates and additional regular participants from Local Government and First Nations.
More information and registration details will be available in mid-September and will be shared with registered delegates. Additional fees will apply.
Hartland Landfill Tour | 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Cost: $20
Xʷsəyq̓əm Tour, Place of Mud, Guided Walking Tour | 2:15 – 4:00 PM | Cost: $56
Parkside Hotel: Embedding Sustainability | 2:30 – 4:00 PM | Cost: $0
As a community, we have all worked together to create a legacy of solutions and a future of possibilities, and we are eagerly anticipating celebrating with everyone!
This event can be attended as a single event for those not able to attend the entire conference. Register for this event separately.
We are honoured to welcome you to this thematic opening session featuring special greetings and highlights of CWMA’s 30-year journey within the broader context of British Columbia’s environmental actions and perspectives. Let’s look back and forward together. We are privileged to feature a special address from the Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks.
Coast Waste Management Association
Convertus Group / CWMA Chair
Capital Regional District
Minister of Environment and Parks
More information to follow
1995 Movie Panel Theme: Batman Forever
Advancements in Waste Management. From Horse-Drawn Carts to Modern Trucks, Efficiency and Safety, Automated Sorting, Waste Processing Machinery. Just as Batman uses technology to protect Gotham, our industry has evolved from basic collection methods to sophisticated systems.
Rollins Machinery
Machinex
Prairie Robotics
Metaspectral
Dillon Consulting
1995 Movie: Empire Records
The movie’s central theme of “saving Empire” mirrors this panel’s discussion on how to build an “empire” of local sustainability networks. Just as the record store employees each contribute their unique skills and perspectives to preserve their workplace community, successful local programs require diverse stakeholders – residents, businesses, and local government – working together. How do we break through resistance to invest in solutions that deliver local, lasting resilience, economic strength, and environmental progress?
Merlin Plastics
Northstar Clean Technologies
Enviro-Corp
GRT – Regenerock
Comox Valley Regional District
1995 Movie: Dolores Claiborne
The main character, Dolores, lives on a remote island, much like many communities that need composting solutions in challenging environments, and learns to be self-reliant and creative with limited resources – the same mindset required for successful composting systems in remote areas. The movie is about breaking down toxic relationships and harmful patterns, just as compost breaks down organic waste and how our panel has found ways to build healthy relationships and solutions for composting.
Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society
Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society
Brew Nature/Shellter
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
Transform Compost Systems
First Nations Recycling Initiative
1995 Movie Theme: Jumanji
In Jumanji, kids are thrust into an adult-sized crisis they never asked for but must solve. Similarly, young environmental activists are inheriting a climate crisis created by previous generations and stepping up as leaders. Braving indifference, time pressures, and a stampede of unclear information, kids battle through the noise and lead the way! A special presentation by Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright www.ArtistResponseTeam.com
Artist Response Team
Capital Regional District
6:00 PM Reception / 6:30 PM Dinner / 7:45 PM Dance
Get ready to party like it’s 1999! Delegates are up for an evening that’s totally tubular as we wrap up Thursday with dinner and dancing. Whether you’re rocking flannel and Doc Martens, sporting neon windbreakers and scrunchies, or channelling your inner Fresh Prince with backwards caps and high-tops, come dressed to impress in your most radical 90s gear. Don’t have the perfect outfit? No worries – swing by our costume lending library to find everything you need to look fly. We’ll be spinning all your favourite jams from Britney to Backstreet Boys, so dust off those dance moves and prepare for a night that’s all that and a bag of chips!
Each year, we are fortunate to include Environment & Climate Change Canada in our event and warmly welcome back Ryan Parmenter, Director, Plastics and Marine Litter for an update.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Coast Waste Management Association
1995 Movie: Les Misérables
Just as Jean Valjean transforms from a desperate convict into a force for good, post-consumer and industrial plastic gets a second life through circular innovation. What was once considered waste becomes valuable material for new products. The plastic that might have ended up polluting oceans or landfills instead finds redemption through recycling and up-cycling processes.
Cleanfarms
Vitacore
Wen Plastics
Capital Regional District
1995 Movie: Die Hard With a Vengeance
EPR systems worldwide are having their own “Die Hard” moment — transforming under escalating environmental pressures while navigating unpredictable market and industry changes. Like McClane racing against ticking bombs, EPR must balance urgent environmental goals against the reality of changing industry needs, material markets, political and world events. Let’s explore what drives this continuous adaptation and discuss ideas to navigate it successfully.
Circular Materials
Recycle BC
Packaging and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council
Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable
We are always grateful that our Epilogue Speaker is a leader from the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks.
BC Ministry of Environment and Parks
Regional District of Nanaimo / CWMA Vice Chair
Just a few more minutes. We are very grateful for your time.