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"Metro Vancouver takes a comprehensive look at what the region's residents are throwing out in the garbage and in street bins, and how it compares to earlier years."
This year at #RCBC2019, we'll be hosting a Town Hall to hear the voices of local government, non-profits, and businesses when it comes to solid waste management issues.
To have your voice heard as a delegate, simply fill out this five-question survey HERE. We want to know what sector you represent, if your community is primarily urban, suburban, or rural, and your top three issues in waste management. Our hope is that by opening up the floor to discuss these issues, we can all see the challenges we’re facing collectively as a province to reduce waste, capture recyclables, and transition to a circular economy.
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 Don’t look now, but #RCBC2019 is only nine weeks away, from May 8-10 at the Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler. The March 29th early bird registration rate deadline is coming up fast, and special rates on accommodations are only available until April 8th. Last year some folks missed the Westin’s deadline and we had to scramble to find them rooms. So don’t wait until the last minute, because this is a RCBC conference you don’t want to miss.
Your events team has put together a full program with in-depth content, including two keynote speakers. Both speak to present economic solutions to serious waste problems we’re facing today, and into the future. Leading off on Wednesday afternoon is Jonathan Arnold from Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission. He will address waste reduction policy from an economics perspective, focusing on market instruments that could make waste systems more efficient and less costly. According to a recent study, the key to an efficient waste management system is getting incentives right and relying more on market-based policies that apply circular economy principles. On Thursday, your keynote speaker will be Chloe Dubois, co-founder and president of the Ocean Legacy Foundation. The Foundation, an international non-profit organization based in B.C., utilizes spatial mapping, research clean-up expeditions, and plastic-to-fuel technologies to develop its world-leading marine debris solutions program. This dynamic and integrative approach combines sustainable technologies with education and skills training to give plastic waste and debris an economic value. The approach provides communities with long-term tools they need to steward their environment. We're also celebrating a major milestone as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in B.C. In 1994, the Post-Consumer Paint Program Regulation initiated the creation of Canada’s first EPR program. Managed by a newly formed stewardship agency called B.C. Paint Care, today, that organization has evolved into Product Care Association, one of 16 such agencies responsible for products scheduled in the Recycling Regulation. Returning for its second year is the B.C. Wine Wall. Last year, all 24 chances to win a great bottle of B.C. wine sold out faster than you can say "pinot auxerrois." This time, we’ve got 45 bottles of wine to celebrate RCBC’s 45 years of working towards a world without waste. So, don’t waste your chance to be in Whistler May 8-10. I hope to see you there. Best, Brock MacDonald RCBC CEO  "A new report from ING group says U.S. companies could unlock $4.5 trillion of additional economic output, in just 11 years, if they institute a circular economic model — one that reduces waste, relies less on raw materials, and increasingly uses recycled materials.
...The report, “Opportunity and Disruption: How Circular Thinking Could Change US Business Models,” surveyed 300 U.S. executives and found 62% plan to move their companies toward a circular economic framework and 16% already have. But the ING report finds that evolution is being done in a fragmented fashion. Most companies focus on the cost savings aspect of circular initiatives and van Riel says, '...by focusing on this benefit businesses will struggle to unlock the full value of the circular economy. Circular models have the potential to redefine businesses by creating new revenue growth opportunities.'" To read the rest of the article, please visit HERE.  Image credit: dezeen.com "IKEA has announced plans to start renting its furniture, as part of a move towards a circular economy that includes refurbishing and re-selling products.
The trial furniture rental scheme, due to begin in Switzerland imminently, will initially be limited to office furniture such as desks and chairs. 'We see big potential in inspiring and enabling consumers to play an active role in making the circular economy a reality, and we can facilitate that by developing new business models in relation to how they acquire, care for and pass on products,' explained an IKEA spokesperson. ...Although the trial will only include office furniture at this point, IKEA hasn't ruled out leasing rather than selling kitchens and other products in future." To read the rest of the article, please visit HERE.  Image from Packaging Digest. The recent announcement of Loop, a circular economy shipping platform that emphasizes reusable luxury packaging is attracting significant attention on an international level. Here's an article from Packaging Digest compiling reactions from those who work in the packaging industry: “Imagine a world in 50 years people look back and say ‘that garbage thing was an odd idea. I’m glad we are over it.’ I LOVE the idea of moving from packaging from something someone owns to something someone borrows and returns. This could honestly revolutionize our industry.” - Adam Peek, WS Packaging Group “Back to the future. And, premium brands are the way to do this, as they have both the margins and interested customer base to be successful.” -Robert Lilienfeld, BiologiQ “This week, PTIS and Leading Futurists are kicking off the latest in 20 years of Future of Packaging programs, with several leading companies, including some involved in Loop. So the timing for this announcement is awesome. Whatever the outcome, Loop will look different in 2030 than it does today and will inspire new ways of thinking!" - Brian Wagner, PTIS LLC For the rest of the article, please visit HERE. For over 20 years, RCBC has recognized environmental leadership in British Columbia and beyond with its annual Environmental Awards. Nominations are now open for the 20th annual RCBC MOBI Environmental Awards. The awards celebrate achievements of British Columbians striving to work towards a world without waste. Nominations are open for eight different sectors, including: educators, youth, public sector, private sector, innovation, media/journalism, non-profit and lifetime achievement. Nominations are currently being accepted online until March 17th, 2019. RCBC encourages those making sustainability a priority in their community or organization to apply.
“The RCBC MOBI awards are an opportunity to recognize zero-waste efforts from boardrooms to classrooms, from grassroots to council groups; everyone has a part to play. For two decades the MOBI awards have recognized leaders, innovators, and change makers from across all sectors in British Columbia,” said RCBC’s CEO Brock Macdonald. The awards, known as the MOBIs, are named after the Mobius Loop recycling symbol of chasing arrows. “It’s the perfect name and symbol, as we are chasing zero waste. So long as we keep trying, we’re making a tangible difference.” said Macdonald. Keeping with tradition, for the eleventh year the custom awards will be produced using metal, glass and reclaimed materials by Live Metal Studio in Nelson, BC. This year’s MOBIs recipients will receive their awards at RCBC’s 45th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Whistler, BC. The awards ceremony is being featured during the Gala Dinner event on the evening of Thursday May 9 th, 2019, where nominees and recipients will be acknowledged for their contributions to the protection and preservation of BC’s environment. The 2018 RCBC Environmental Awards Winners were:
For their full winners profile, visit the RCBC Awards Page.  Brock Macdonald, CEO RCBC Happy New Year! I for one am looking forward to some good things happening in 2019. After all, there wasn’t much to celebrate in 2018. It started off with the implementation of China's National Sword policy, and the outlook seemed bleak from January on. We seemed short on solutions and options as we looked for ways to adapt to the changing reality of managing consumer-driven waste.
Still, there were a few rays of hope that provided the promise of progress to come. Even with a near zero-level contamination threshold, Recycle BC maintained its access to Chinese markets. Its partners on the ground in Canada - Merlin Plastics, Cascades, and Green By Nature - developed and implemented innovative solutions to deal with plastics and fibres, creating domestic solutions that were less reliant on foreign markets outside their control. The Canadian government led by hosting the G7 and made ocean plastics a priority. Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna moved to engage stakeholders throughout the supply and reverse logistics chain, reaching out to producers, retailers, and the recycling community to find solutions to improve our performance in collecting and re-circulating plastics back into the industrial process. In BC, Ministry of Environment and Climate Strategy staff initiated a scoping process to determine a path towards further EPR programs and improvements. Their analysis of current program gaps and potential low-hanging fruit could identify new materials for inclusion under the Recycling Regulation in the near-future. Local governments are working towards similar goals. Look for communities in Metro Vancouver to begin a process of engagement to determine where the best opportunities may be to divert and reduce waste, either through their own policies or by recommending policies to the provincial government. On a municipal level, the city of Vancouver has generated groundbreaking work on single-use items that has huge potential for waste reduction. Through its zero waste 2040 strategy process, Vancouver engaged industry experts to identify and prioritize potential solutions to the daily generation of waste in the city, which could become a model for other communities to follow. My awareness of and involvement in some of these activities is the source of my hope. It has led me to hold a more optimistic perspective for 2019. While we don’t have all the answers just yet, what we are seeing is leadership. We're seeing it from all levels of government, from industry stewards, and from grassroots organizers like the collectives of people, nonprofits, and local governments involved in the Share, Reuse, and Repair Initiative coming out of the Lower Mainland. So while we may have a gap in solutions for now, we have no shortage of leadership. My optimism rests with all the individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves and lead. I am thankful to those striving to make 2019 a better year for all of us. That would be a new year worth celebrating indeed. Brock Macdonald, CEO Recycling Council of BC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nominations open for 2019 Recycling Council of B.C. Environmental Awards Awards recognize achievements in environmental initiatives across the province January 29th, 2019 – VANCOUVER. Nominations are now open for the 20th annual RCBC MOBI Environmental Awards. The awards celebrate achievements of British Columbians striving to work towards a world without waste. Nominations are open for eight different sectors, including: educators, youth, public sector, private sector, innovation, media/journalism, non-profit and lifetime achievement. Submissions are currently being accepted online at https://www.rcbcconference.ca/submit-a-nomination.html until March 17th, 2019. RCBC encourages those making sustainability a priority in their community or organization to apply. “The RCBC MOBI awards are an opportunity to recognize zero-waste efforts from boardrooms to classrooms, from grassroots to council groups; everyone has a part to play. For two decades the MOBI awards have recognized leaders, innovators, and change makers from across all sectors in British Columbia,” said RCBC’s CEO Brock Macdonald. The awards, known as the MOBIs, are named after the Mobius Loop recycling symbol of chasing arrows. “It’s the perfect name and symbol, as we are chasing zero waste. So long as we keep trying, we’re making a tangible difference.” said Macdonald. Keeping with tradition, for the eleventh year the custom awards will be produced using metal, glass and reclaimed materials by Live Metal Studio in Nelson, BC. This year’s MOBIs recipients will receive their awards at RCBC’s 45th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Whistler, BC. The awards ceremony is being featured during the Gala Dinner event on the evening of Thursday May 9th, 2019, where nominees and recipients will be acknowledged for their contributions to the protection and preservation of BC’s environment. For details and photos from last year’s winners, please visit https://www.rcbc.ca/events/rcbc-annual-awards. Established in 1974, RCBC is a multi-sectoral, non-profit, registered charity that promotes the development of a circular economy and facilitates the exchange of ideas and knowledge to eliminate waste in BC. For more information on RCBC, visit www.rcbc.ca. - 30 - Media Contacts: Brock Macdonald Chief Executive Officer, Recycling Council of British Columbia Tel: 604-683-6009 ext. 307 Email: brock@rcbc.ca Harvinder Aujala Information Services Manager, Recycling Council of British Columbia Tel: 604-683-6009 ext. 313 Email: harv@rcbc.ca  With less than a week to go until RCBC's 44th Annual Zero Waste Conference, here are some friendly reminders to ensure you get the most out of the three-day event:
Download the #RCB2018 Conference App #RCBC2018 is going electronic again with a new conference app generously sponsored by CPIA and Tymac. All session, speaker and sponsor information can be found on your tablet or smartphone device. The RCBC staff will be happy to guide you through should you require any technical assistance. To engage with other delegates and speakers before and during sessions, simply click on the event of interest on the schedule, click on the chat icon on the right-hand side, and then type in your comments or questions. Download the App for iOS Download the App for Android Registration The conference registration desk in the Emerald Foyer opens on Wednesday, May 30 at 9:00am and will remain open during presentation hours for the duration of the event. The registration desk is information central, so feel free to pop by with any questions you may have. Our staff would be more than happy to help you. Pick up your delegate name badge here when you arrive. Bring your name badge at all conference events. This is your ticket for the Gala Dinner and also if you have signed up for the Friday take-home lunch. At the back of your name tag is quick-guide schedule and your complimentary drink tickets. All conference sessions will be in Emerald Ballroom AB. The trade show is located in Emerald Ballroom C. Connect Before and During! Trade Show Network at this year's exhibition and tradeshow! Located in Emerald Ballroom C, the Wednesday and Thursday receptions and session breaks will take place here. The show opens at 12:00 p.m on Wednesday, May 30 and will remain open for the duration of the event. Share Your Ideas If you haven't done so already, we invite you to visit www.wayblaze.com/rcbc2018, complete the 30-second signup, and contribute your favourite ideas to expand reuse in BC. We hope you will join the #RCBC2018 reuse and sharing conversation throughout the conference and beyond! Follow Us Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for conference updates before, after, and during the event. #RCBC2018 is the official conference hashtag - follow it for all latest conference happenings. Check Your Daily Reminders We've planned a host of activities over the three-day conference - be sure to check your email daily to find out event details on everything from silent auctions to 50/50 draws and wine draws! Friday Lunch If you plan on leaving early on Friday, June 1st and would like a take-home lunch, please let us know. We can have your lunch ready earlier in the morning. Venue Reminders Address: 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4 Hotel Check-In Check-in at the Westin Resort Whistler is 4:00 p.m. The hotel can provide you with checked luggage service, freeing you to explore the area until your room is available. Parking at the Westin Resort Whistler Underground self-parking at the Westin Resort Whistler is currently available for $30.00 per night and Valet parking is $34.00 per night. Parking fees are subject to change. For additional parking options in Whistler, check this page. Internet Access Password: RCBC2018 Other Reminders Getting There There are various ways you can get to Whistler from the Lower Mainland:
For the latest forecast, click here. Activities If you’ve got some spare time in Whistler, take full advantage of all that’s available. Activities, dining, and adventures abound – find yours. Wednesday Dinner There’s no dinner provided on Wednesday evening, but not to worry – Whistler has plenty to offer no matter what you’re craving. Check out dining options in Whistler. Thank you for attending #RCBC2018. We look forward to seeing you in Whistler! If you haven't done so already, we invite you to visit www.wayblaze.com/rcbc2018, complete the 30-second signup, and contribute your favourite ideas to expand reuse in BC. We hope you will join the #RCBC2018 reuse and sharing conversation throughout the conference and beyond! Wayblaze, Canada’s first community crowdsourcing and crowdfunding site, has partnered with the Recycling Council of BC to provide this online space where conference delegates can share and vote for ideas, projects and businesses that help minimize waste through greater reuse and sharing of goods and equipment. We invite you to participate in this important conversation about how a deeper focus on reuse and sharing can accelerate our shift to a zero waste province.  |
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