CWMA Conference 2020 Archive

Sheila Molloy

Virtual Conference ~ What a Great Event! October 7 & 8, 2020

A great 2 days of impactful networking and learning!

Virtual Conference Hall

Accessed from the comfort of home or work!

Learn More About Our Virtual Hall

Our Speakers & Presenters Thank you to each of our great speakers and moderators. An amazing lineup and a great job on every plenary.

ADAM MINTER | Journalist. Author. Junk Man / Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion

Meet Adam Minter...

Adam Minter is a columnist with Bloomberg Opinion, where he writes about emerging markets, technology, waste, and other topics. From 2002 to 2014, he was based in Shanghai, where he covered the trans-Pacific trade in recycling. His first book, “Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion Dollar Trash Trade,” is an insider’s look at the world of globalized recycling. His most recent book, “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale” is a deep dive into the secondhand economy that thrives around the world.

ROLAND GEYER | Professor, UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management

Meet Roland Geyer...

Roland Geyer is Professor at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. Prior to joining the Bren School he held research positions in Germany, France, and the UK. Since 2000 he has worked with a wide range of governmental organisations, trade associations, and companies on environmental sustainability issues. Roland has won multiple awards for his work, such as the International Statistic of the Year, and been featured widely in the media, like CBS 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, and PBS News Hour. He has a graduate degree in physics and a PhD in engineering. Learn more about Roland and his work on www.rolandgeyer.com

JIAYING ZHAO | Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability, University of British Columbia

Meet Jiaying Zhao...

Dr. Jiaying Zhao is the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Zhao uses psychological principles to design behavioural solutions to address financial and environmental sustainability challenges. Specifically, she designs effective behavioural interventions to alleviate poverty, promote actions to mitigate climate change, increase recycling and composting rates, and encourage biodiversity conservation actions.
http://zhaolab.psych.ubc.ca

JILL DOUCETTE | Executive Director, Synergy Foundation

Meet Jill Doucette...

SHEILA MALCOLMSON | Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Government of British Columbia

Meet Parliamentary Secretary Malcolmson...

Sheila Malcolmson is the MLA for Nanaimo, and the parliamentary secretary for environment. Before joining the provincial government in 2019, she served as the MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, a position she was elected to in 2015. In that role, she was a leading advocate for solutions to vessel abandonment, oil spill prevention, and women’s equality. Parliamentary Secretary Malcolmson also has experience at the local level. She was elected four times to the Islands Trust Council, serving six of those years as Chair, where she championed fair ferry service, marine safety and oil spill prevention.
Prior to entering public life, Sheila worked for Energy Probe, and the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. She also served as an advisor to the Saskatchewan Electrical Energy Options Panel and Queen’s University Environmental Policy Centre, and was a board member for the Conservation Council of Ontario and the BC Sustainable Energy Association. Sheila holds a B.A. in Environmental and Resource Studies from Trent University.

JEREMY LANG | Founder, Pela and Open Mind Developments

Meet Jeremy Lang...

As a boy, Jeremy witnessed the prairie skies being lit up from Flax fields burning every fall. This seemed wasteful to him, so he started thinking about how the strong properties of the flax straw material could be used instead of being burned as farm waste.

Years later, Jeremy saw all the plastic litter on a beach in Hawaii while playing in the sand with his son and wanted to find an alternative to conventional plastic waste. After about 1 year of Research and Development, Jeremy figured out how to combine flax straw waste with biopolymers to create a compostable, waste-free alternative to plastic.

Jeremy founded Pela to create a waste-free future and leave things better for future generations. Pela launched the very first compostable phone case in 2011, and they have now replaced over 1 million conventional plastic phone cases with the Pela Case, preventing over 300,000 pounds of plastic waste from landfill to date.

About Pela:
Pela now makes everyday products without everyday waste to educate and inspire a global community of people who are committed to making a positive impact on our planet. As a Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified and member of 1% For The Planet, Pela is on a mission to eliminate 1 billion pounds of waste from the global waste stream and continues to research and develop the most innovative products to create a waste-free future. Pela has also donated nearly $400,000 to 1% For the Planet charitable partners over the past few years and is leading the way in the new Responsibility Economy with their circular Pela 360 program.pela.earth

MONICA KOSMAK | Senior Project Manager, Zero Waste, City of Vancouver

Meet Monica Kosmak...

Monica Kosmak, PMP, is a senior project manager at the City of Vancouver with over 20 years’ experience in zero waste and EPR policy and projects.
She joined the City in 2010 and is now managing Vancouver’s Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy with an incredible project team.
This work is in her DNA: When her Czech grandmother first visited Canada in the 1970s, she kept the foam container from her fast food burger and packed her own lunches in it for 25 years.

ALLEN LANGDON | President and CEO, Return-It

Meet Allen Langdon

As the President and CEO of Encorp Pacific (Canada), Allen oversees the most successful used beverage container management program in Canada with a mandate to develop, manage and improve systems to recover used packaging and end-of-life products from consumers and ensure that they are properly recycled and not land-filled or incinerated. Through its collection network consisting of 168 privately owned Return-It depots, 1 Return-It Express Plus location, and 3 Express & GO stations, Encorp Pacific has routinely exceeded a 75% recovery rate for used beverage containers in the province while at the same time developing a collection network that has become the backbone for a number of other recycling programs around the province.
Prior to joining Encorp Pacific, Allen served as the Managing Director for Recycle BC, the first 100% Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for paper and packaging in North America where industry assumed full financial and managerial responsibility for the residential recycling system.
Allen has extensive experience in sustainability and extended producer responsibility, and previously served as the VP of Sustainability for the Retail Council of Canada and the VP of Environment for the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, advancing those industries’ responses to a range of complex sustainability issues including climate change, sustainable packaging, EPR programs, and animal welfare.

NANCY PREVOST & CAROLINE THIBAULT | The Nulla Project

Meet Caroline & Nancy...

Every great dream begins with a dreamer – Harriet Tubman | Nulla means Zero or Nothing in latin.
Did you know 50% of the garbage in major Canadian cities are single-use cups? And that Victorians are responsible for an average of 13,000 discarded single-use cups per day? Caroline & Nancy had an idea in 2018 to start a reusable service with coffee cups and containers in our lovely city, Victoria BC. We had the opportunity to participate in Synergy Sustainability’s Project Zero Incubator Program in 2019 and start our venture. We want people to have a green and convenient option when they order to-go drinks or food.
Nancy: Nancy moved to Victoria in 2017 after travelling the country with her car and participating in the WWOOF program, looking for new challenges. Originally from Quebec, she has a professional background in Tourism, Marketing and Communications. She worked in a travel agency for 12 years and guided hundreds of tour groups which developed her love for community and customer service. While in school, Nancy was involved with the environmental committee and was already trying to find easy solution to waste. As she traveled the world, she saw opportunities everywhere to create a better world and engage with community. After being reunited with her cousin Caroline in BC, it gave her the courage to jump into an adventure and start improving sustainable practices in the restaurant & tourism industry. Nancy works full-time at Royal Roads University, and truly believes that learning everyday is a priority to evolve and grow. She also thinks that collaboration is a key to success.
Caroline: Caroline has been living and working in Victoria for 16 years. She has been involved with various local non-profit organizations and cares about her community. Originally from Quebec, she has over 10 years of professional background in employment services and education. She is now working for an environmental non-profit organization that advocates for better high-performance buildings. Caroline is passionate about zero waste living, circular economy and green initiatives that bring community together. She is currently pursuing a Zero Waste Certification, is a member of the Surfrider Foundation and Zero Waste Canada and has been volunteering for various local charities and community-oriented organizations over the years.

ISABELLE FAUCHER | Managing Director, Carton Council of Canada

Meet Isabelle Faucher...

Isabelle Faucher has 14 years of experience in the fields of waste diversion, Extended Producer Responsibility, and the Circular Economy. For the past five years, she has served as Managing Director of Carton Council Canada, a voluntary industry organization working to grow the recycling of food and beverage cartons across the country. In this position, she has had the opportunity to developed solid relationships with key stewardship agencies across Canada. Her solid understanding of the packaging EPR policy frameworks in place across the country offers her the unique opportunity to comment and contrast different approaches. Isabelle holds a BSc and MA, both from the University of Toronto. www.recyclecartons.ca
Follow us on LinkedIn for news and information about carton recycling and our activities

CINCI CSERE & CHRIS ARKELL | Founders. Sea to Sky Removal

Meet Cinci & Chris...

Sea to Sky Removal was founded on the principle that business can do good, drive change, and ultimately help save the world.
Cinci Csere and Chris Arkell saw a problem — construction waste — and decided that they could change it… and now Sea to Sky Removal, an award-winning B Corp certified construction waste removal company, is fully focused on landfill diversion and saving the world.
Sea to Sky Removal meticulously hand separates all recyclables to maximize diversion as well as separates any reusable items from actual garbage. The trucks are live-loaded systematically to efficiently dispose of materials to the correct locations such as recycling centers, any suitable local non-profit organizations and lastly the landfill.
As a Certified B Corporation, their focus is to help drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Sea to Sky Removal strives to meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

RANDY KAHLON | Vice President, ABC Recycling

Meet Randy Kahlon...

Randy Kahlon is ABC Recycling’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He leads the strategic direction and management of their ferrous portfolio with dynamic access to downstream consumers globally via multiple modes of transporation.
Randy spent 7 years travelling globally, researching best practices in developing new markets for commodities overcoming the challenges of ever-changing regulatory frameworks. He is an expert at interpreting the market forces driving the global economy, and he applies this knowledge to help ABC execute their long-term strategic plan.
Randy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Diploma of Technology specializing in International Trade and Logistics from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.”

DENISA MERTIRI | JD, Green Earth Strategy

Meet Denisa Mertiri...

Denisa Mertiri, J.D. (Green Earth Strategy) provides legal and policy advice to clients on waste management, single-use reduction, circular economy and extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws.
Denisa has worked with the City of Toronto and other municipalities in Ontario, Canada, on Ontario’s transition to EPR and on single-use reduction and circular economy policies.
She brings her in-depth understanding of local and international laws related to these issues to generate solutions for clients on the management of plastics and packaging.

JENNIFER BARBAZZA | Manager, Sustainability, Walmart Canada

Meet Jennifer Barbazza...

As a long-time environmental advocate, Jen is passionate about reducing packaging and plastics in the retail. You’ll always see her carrying her favourite reusable water bottle, leading by example in that small actions can have big impacts. Jen has worked in the environmental compliance and sustainability space for more than 15 years with a heavy focus on retail. She views herself as an internal agitator, always looking for innovative ways to make a positive environmental impact.
Recently, Jen helped launched two major initiatives at Walmart Canada: Project Gigaton, a global Walmart initiative to remove 1 gigaton of emissions from the global value chain and the Walmart Canada Plastics Charter, which includes the enhanced Recycling Playbook geared at helping make smarter packaging choices including reduction and reuse as options.

DAVID LAWES | CEO, BC Used Oil Management Association

Meet David Lawes...

David is the Chief Executive Officer of the BC Used Oil Management Association. David also currently serves as the Vice President and Director of the Canadian Product Stewardship Council (Conference on Canadian Stewardship), and Co-chair of the Stewardship Agencies of BC.
David is the former President of the Global Product Stewardship Council, former co-chair of the Canadian Council Ministers of Environment Waste TG and the former Manager of Waste Prevention for the BC Ministry of Environment. David led the BC Government initiative to create the first EPR Regulations for Packaging and all Electronic and Electrical products in North America.
David also volunteers as a Director on the Vancouver Island Soccer Association, in the role of Treasurer.

NEIL HASTIE | B.Sc. MBA

Meet Neil Hastie...
My engagement with EPR began when I joined Encorp Pacific (Canada) in 1998 and became the President & CEO. Prior to 1998, I had a 20-year career in general management of multi-unit retail chains in Western Canada.
By 1998, the British Columbia government was on an aggressive course to regulate the management of consumer products/packaging at end of life. Their policy direction was based upon simple principles:
- User pay as the basic financial model
- Producer responsibility as the governance model
- Outcome based non-prescriptive rules as the regulatory model
Not surprisingly, they ended up with a growing list of regulations, each of which had different features and created real complexity for both the regulator-the Ministry of the Environment and obligated producers. At the same time, government was under pressure to reduce costs and, in particular, to reduce staff costs. The solution that emerged was a single new regulation that would act as the umbrella and to imbed industry self- management as the key criteria for all existing and new product streams under regulation.
At the time, Encorp had already been organized to operate consistent with these principles so we were very much in a leadership role working with MoE to create the Recycling Regulation and to bring the producer community onside with what is now understood to be the foundation for Producer Responsibility now known as EPR.

PAULINA LEUNG | Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Emterra Group

Meet Paulina Leung...

Paulina Leung is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development of Emterra Group, a leader in the waste diversion and recyclables resource recovery industry throughout Canada and the state of Michigan.
A graduate of the Ivey School of Business, Paulina brings a wealth of business acumen and experience as she oversees Emterra Group’s strategic initiatives and business development. As Emterra enters its fifth decade, it is a leader in providing customized circular economy and waste management services to brand owners, manufacturers and various levels of government. Paulina’s focus and passion is developing new circular economy products and services that are responsive to rapidly changing consumer, business and government demands. From a corporate perspective, she oversees Emterra’s corporate services including communications, government relations, and human resources.
Paulina also believes in giving back to the industry, serving on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Waste Management Association, the Recycling Council of Ontario, and the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance as well as other advisory boards and working groups that promote a circular economy.

TERRY DEAKIN | CEO, INEO Employment Services

Meet Terry Deakin...

As the CEO and sole shareholder of INEO Employment Counselling Inc, I am a hands-on manager for 21 years. INEO facilitates four Skills Training for Employment Programs funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and a Third-Party Administration of Benefits program for the Ministry of Social Development. With support from the provincial government in 2019, INEO facilitated a pilot project that is now a Social Enterprise – Recycle Matters is deconstructing and recycling mattresses while employing and training individuals who experience barriers to finding and maintaining employment.
I have a Diploma in Social Services, a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management, and a Master of Arts in Community Development. I believe corporations need to be socially, environmentally, and fiscally responsible.

RYAN SMITH | founder and CEO of Recyclops

Meet Ryan Smith...

Ryan Smith is the founder and CEO of Recyclops, a startup dedicated to bringing curbside recycling to hard-to-reach places. By leveraging the gig economy and an Uber-esque app Recyclops is able to bring curbside recycling programs to locations that have never had recycling.
In 2020, Ryan was selected as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister in the area of Social Entrepreneurship. Ryan is a board member of the Recycling Coalition of Utah and has been featured in Recycling Today, WasteDive, and Waste360 among other publications. Ryan has a degree in Business Strategy from Brigham Young University, loves spending time in the outdoors and with his wife and two daughters.

GERRY MOORE | CEO, Island Waste Management Corporation

Meet Gerry Moore...

Gerry Moore has held the position of Chief Executive Officer with Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) since 2003. IWMC is the Provincial Crown Corporation responsible for all waste management initiatives, facilities, and operations in the Province of Prince Edward Island. In his role as CEO, it is Gerry’s responsibility to operate a financially responsible and environmentally friendly waste management program to serve all residents and businesses in the Province.
Several facilities and operations fall under Gerry’s management. The Central Composting Facility processes all organic wastes collected in the province. An energy-from-waste facility utilizes burnable waste as an energy source to heat and cool many government and private buildings. He is also responsible for the East Prince Waste Management Facility, the only remaining landfill in the province, and 6 waste transfer stations which provide regional disposal options for all Islanders. In addition, Gerry oversees a customer call center designed to support customers from all sectors, as well as contractors who provide over 4.7 million collections annually.
A graduate from the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Business in 1983, Gerry’s prior work experience included 20 years with the Irving Group of Companies where he held many supervisory and management positions.
Gerry and his wife Janice have four children and reside in Charlottetown PEI.

USMAN VALIANTE | Sr Policy Analyst, Corporate Policy Group

Meet Usman Valiante...

Usman is a senior policy analyst and commercial strategist with 27 years of experience in the fields of environmental science and economics, corporate and commercial strategy, public policy development, regulatory and institutional design, advocacy, negotiation, consultation, and communications.
He has developed a number of Canadian Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, regulatory frameworks, programs, and circular economy systems for waste electronics and electrical equipment (WEEE), municipal household and special waste (MHSW), beverage containers, printed paper and packaging (PPP), pharmaceuticals and sharps, used tires, batteries, and end-of-life vehicles.

DAVID BRENNER | Chief Integration Officer, PureCycle Technologies

Meet David Brenner...

David brings over 10 years of experience in leading and delivering transformational projects across a wide range of industries and was hire #1 to bring PureCycle Technologies to life operationally.

David has been critical in building the strategy, planning and overall execution for PureCycle Technologies.

David’s prior experience includes leading and executing the implementation of Electronic Medical Records for orthopedic surgeons, modernizing flagship applications for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and supporting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), as well as scaling new business units at Deloitte.

GIL YARON | Director of Commercialization and Marketing, Ocean Legacy Foundation

Meet Gil Yaron...

Gil Yaron is the volunteer Director of Commercialization and Marketing for Ocean Legacy.
CWMA delegates may know him better as the Director of Programs with Product Care Association of Canada where he works as part of a team managing product stewardship programs for special wastes across Canada.
Over the past 3 years, Gil has been working with Ocean Legacy to develop the first processing facility for marine debris in Canada and commercialize a plastic pellet – Legacy Plastic – made from 100% ocean plastic and abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). G
il holds a Master in Laws from UBC and has worked in the waste and recycling sector for more than a decade, as well as establishing the first a zero waste office supply company in Canada.

PAUL LONG | President, Anian Manufacturing

Meet Paul Long...

PAUL HENDERSON | General Manager, Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Services

Meet Paul Henderson...

Paul Henderson is a Professional Engineer with 30 years’ experience in the municipal sector.
Paul is the General Manager of the Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Services Department leading the team responsible for waste reduction and recycling as well as residuals management for Metro Vancouver’s approximately 2.5 million people.
Paul has a degree in Bio Resource Engineering, a Masters of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.

KRISTA LOEWEN | Community Investment, Vancity Credit Union

Meet Krista Loewen

Krista Loewen is a Community Investment Associate at Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union. Krista supports the environmental sustainability portfolio and leverages community investment tools, including the Vancity envirofund program, to build partnerships that create the conditions for lighter living in Southwest BC. Vancity’s lighter living approach seeks to advance sustainable production and consumption and enable businesses and individuals to make more sustainable choices.
Krista collaborates with partners to deliver content and programming that will support businesses to embed circularity into their models and she connects businesses with appropriate partners to support their business development.

BROCK MACDONALD | CEO, Recycling Council of British Columbia

Meet Brock Macdonald...

Brock Macdonald joined the Recycling Council of British Columbia in 2003 to direct Communications and was appointed CEO in 2006. Prior, he was communications manager for Product Care; one of B.C.’s first regulated industry stewardship agencies.

He currently sits on advisory committees for EPRA, TSBC, Return-It, and is a board member of the National Zero Waste Council. Brock is a former educator and award-winning print-and-broadcast journalist whose current focus is the transition to a circular economy in Canada.

He holds a diploma in communications from Kwantlen College and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Royal Roads University.

JOANNE FEDYK | Executive Director, Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

Meet Joanne Fedyk...

Joanne Fedyk has been the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) since 1991. SWRC works toward a waste-free Saskatchewan by promoting waste reduction practices to municipalities, businesses and the public. Joanne’s educational background is in home and family economics. She lives in Saskatoon with the legally allowed number of spouses and cats.

CHRISTINA SEIDEL | Executive Director, Recycling Council of Alberta

Meet Christina Seidel...

Christina holds a PhD in Engineering Management, a Masters degree in Environmental Design (Environmental Science), as well as a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. She operates sonnevera international corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and is the current Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. Christina loves rural life, choosing to live on a farm near Bluffton, Alberta, where her and her family raise Warmblood horses, and enjoy many other outdoor activities.

JO-ANNE ST. GODARD | Executive Director, Recycling Council of Ontario

Meet Jo-Anne St. Godard...

ALDA NICMANS | Executive Director, BC Product Stewardship Council

Meet Alda Nicmans...

Alda Nicmans is the Executive Director of the BC Product Stewardship Council, a coalition of BC regional districts that are responsible for solid waste management and waste reduction, recycling and re-use in their jurisdictions. One of the primary objectives of the Council is to provide a forum for ongoing dialogue between local governments and stewardship agencies on program operations and other related issues.
Since 1985, Alda has developed extensive experience designing and implementing progressive zero waste management systems in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Alda has served in executive positions for SWANA Pacific Chapter, two stewardship organizations: The Electronics Stewardship Association of BC; and The Tree Marking Paint Stewardship Association, gaining insight and understanding into the future of extended producer responsibility programs in Canada. She has also served on the Board of both the Recycling Council of BC and Ontario.

ALEXIS ESSELTINE SCOON | Sustainability Manager, Ocean Wise

Meet Alexis Esseltine Scoon...

Alexis Scoon joined Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium an Ocean Wise initiative nearly 4 years ago. She is charged with greening the Aquarium’s operations, leading the organization’s ISO14001 Environmental Management System, embedding a culture of sustainability, and driving change that supports a flourishing ocean.

Prior to joining the Aquarium, Alexis worked as an Environmental Auditor in California, a Sustainability Manager in the commercial furniture industry in Toronto, and a Production Manager for Maclean’s and Chatelaine magazines. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Technology from Ryerson University, a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, and is a Clean 50 Emerging Leader Award Winner for outstanding contributions to clean capitalism in Canada.

ALAN BLAKE | Director, PAC Packaging Consortium

Meet Alan Blake...

Alan is a semi-retired consultant for packaging and sustainability. He currently works with PAC Packaging Consortium as their US director for their PACNEXT and PAC Food programs focused on delivering A World without Packaging and Food Waste.
Alan previously had a 30 year career with Procter & Gamble including 20 years working in the global packaging R&D organization and as a company spokesperson on their packaging sustainability efforts.
He is a chemical engineer by training and a fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is also a Distinguished Toastmaster and a coach and mentor for aspiring speakers. Alan lives in Henderson, Nevada, is a British / American dual national, loves traveling and being with family.

JOSE BARRANCO | Acting-Manager at WorksafeBC

Meet Jose Barranco...

Jose Barranco is an Acting-Manager at WorksafeBC Consultation and Educational Services department whose mission is to help employers in the manufacturing and retail industry in the implementation of their occupational health and safety programs, this, in an effort to prevent workplace injuries and occupational diseases.
Prior to joining WorkSafeBC, Jose worked as a Safety Manager for Amazon and as a Regional Safety Manager for Procter & Gamble. Jose holds a Bachelor degree in Mechatronics Engineering and is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional.

PETER SINCLAIR | Executive Director, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank

Meet Peter Sinclair...

Peter Sinclair has served as Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes Food Bank since 2011. He served on the board of Food Banks BC for years. He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship from UVIC and a Master of Divinity from Regent College.
Loaves and Fishes’ highly successful Food 4U Food Recovery Program has dramatically increased the amount of healthy nutritious food available to people in need while at the same time saving over 1 Million pounds of food from ending up in the landfill every year. Additionally, over the last 4 years more than $3million dollars’ worth of food has been provided to other non-profits there by freeing up funds in these non-profits to be used in other areas of their operations.
Peter is passionate about sharing his expertise and experience to help others set up food recovery programs so other communities can share in the abundance of food that is available while also reducing food waste.

CALEB RICK | CEO - EcoGlobal

Meet Caleb Rick...

Caleb B. Rick, JD
Mr. Rick is leading a diverse team focused on North American expansion of a proprietary manufacturing technology and creating longterm circular outcomes for single use plastic film and flexible packaging. Before becoming
CEO of EcoGlobal, Caleb was Adjunct Professor in the Environmental Law Program of Vermont Law School and a resource development and nonprofit management consultant. He previously worked for the Sierra Club, the University of California and UC Medical Center, and Dartmouth. He is a graduate of Middlebury College, Vermont Law School, the Coro Foundation’s City Focus Program, and is a member of the California Bar Association.

COLTON ASTON | Account Manager-Renewable Gas, FortisBC

Meet Colton Aston...

Colton Aston – Account Manager, Renewable Gas, FortisBC
Born and raised in British Columbia, Colton has been with FortisBC for nine years.
With a background in business he previously worked in residential conservation program design and account management for small & mid-sized commercial customers.
Joining the Renewable Natural Gas Team full-time in 2016, Colton now works with private and municipal biogas suppliers to develop RNG projects in BC and Canada. A craft beer enthusiast, you will find him sampling the latest styles from BC breweries, or hiking in the mountains in his downtime.

ERIK GRISÉ | Advisor, Éco Entreprises Québec

Meet Erik Grisé...

Erik holds a master’s degree in environment management, specializing in project management and GHG reporting. He is an Advisor in sorting technologies and market development at Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ), a private non-profit organization that represents thousands of companies that place containers, packaging and printed material on the market in Québec in their responsibility to finance the municipal curbside recycling system.
He acted as project manager for the Innovative Glass Works Plan of ÉEQ, a durable solution for all glass collected through curbside recycling in Québec, and closely worked with sorting centres to build showcase projects for market development purposes. Erik also specializes in sorting technologies and data analysis regarding recycling and recovery of materials. Furthermore, he manages the recyclability project and participates in Québec government working groups for the modernization of curbside recycling.

SARAH WILLIE | Solid Waste Analyst, Comox Valley RD

Meet Sarah Willie...

Sarah Willie is a solid waste professional with over 15 years of experience, currently working for the Comox-Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) service.
Sarah works to ensure efficient and fiscally responsible service for residents with a background in diversion and extended producer responsibility programs.

Since joining the CSWM service Sarah has taken a more active role in landfill gas management at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre and works closely with operations staff to improve collection performance and install infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements.

ROSEMARY SUTTON | Executive Director, Tire Stewardship BC

Meet Rosemary Sutton...

Rosemary is Executive Director of Tire Stewardship BC, the not for profit society responsible for operating BC’s scrap tire recycling program. Rosemary began her career in Northern Ireland in the hospitality industry eventually finding her way to Canada in the early 90’s.
Working as a consultant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers was her introduction to the world of tire recycling, eventually working with industry and the government to transition the program to an industry led program in 2007. Rosemary, known also as Rubber Maid or Tire Princess, will answer to all three as “I have been called worse”.
Mother of one son, currently residing with his wife in Japan, Rosemary is a keen cyclist, novice kayaker and “crappy” runner.

Agenda

Our planning committee is hard at work finalizing our full program with topics and presenters covering a broad range of subjects that matter to our members!

2020 TOPICS INCLUDED:
Disposing the Throwaway Culture
Rethinking Retail & Packaging
Plastics: Reuse it or Lose it?
Recycling End Markets
Circular Economy: Commitment in Action
EPR in BC: Past Present and Future

AND MORE…

VIEW THE AGENDA

PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS

Post-Access Viewing for our bonus events held:

SEPTEMBER 17 ~ 1:00 – 2:00 PM: Our New Normal with COVID-19: Science, Safety and Looking Ahead

SEPTEMBER 24 ~ 9:30 – 10:30 AM: Provincial Perspectives: The Changes Ahead

OCTOBER 6

Special Guest Speaker followed by a Virtual Cocktail Hour Networking event.

OCTOBER 7

Marquee & Keynote Speakers
Informative Plenary Sessions & Panels
Workshop-Style Presentations

A Celebration of 25 Years!

OCTOBER 8

Marquee & Keynote Speakers
Informative Plenary Sessions & Panels
Case Discussions
Sponsor Presentations

OUR POPULAR ROUNDTABLES ARE MOVING!

CWMA Conference Roundtables are informative discussions for specific groups within our industry. Each year we invite conference delegates and cast the invitation out to a wider group who would be interested in taking part — opening our doors to ensure everyone has can learn, discuss, and network.

We moved these events to coincide with Waste Reduction Week. Thanks to all who attended!

Local Government Staff & First Nations ~ October 20, 10 to 1:30 PDT
Depot Operators & Stewardship Agencies ~ October 21 from 10 to Noon PDT
Educators & Communicators ~ October 21 from 1 to 4 pm PDT