RCBC’s Awards are presented annually for:

Innovation – An organization that achieves an outstanding technical accomplishment in design or development of a product or process that improves its sustainability or advances zero waste practices.

Non-Profit Sector – An organization or individual that demonstrates excellence and leadership in environmental protection and stewardship.

Private Sector – A business with outstanding initiatives to preserve and protect our environment.

Public Sector – A government official who demonstrates excellence and leadership in environmental protection and stewardship.

Youth – A young person who demonstrates outstanding commitment and leadership in environmental stewardship.

The Brock Macdonald Award for Excellence is awarded periodically to recognize outstanding contributions in the areas of environmental education, communication, and outreach.

Nominations for the 2023 RCBC Environmental Awards are now open!

Nominations will be accepted until Earth Day, April 22 2023. Self nominations are welcome.

Submit a Nomination

2022 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 RCBC Environmental Awards! We are proud to recognize their contributions towards the protection and preservation of BC’s environment.

Exchange-A-Blade

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Private Sector

2022

Since 1976, Exchange-a-Blade has been a pioneer in the manufacture, remanufacture and recycling of power tool accessories for the home improvement and construction industries. With its Buy, Exchange, Save program, EAB has been recycling and remanufacturing used blades and other power tool accessories for more than four decades. Their commitment to environmental stewardship extends to reducing packaging to only what is necessary for safety, the use of paper or cardboard based packaging, and a dedicated fleet of 29 Prius hybrid and electric cars for their sales teams to visit stores to collect used products.

Meghan Ebueza

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Public Sector

2022

Meghan Ebueza worked at the Regional District of Nanaimo for seven years and had been working in the environmental field since 2007. She was a leading force in the region’s updated solid waste management plan, and was behind the FCM’s marine litter resolution being brought out nationally. Meghan was a dedicated professional whose portfolio ranged from organizing large-scale beach cleanups to writing on various environmental issues to working with governments in Indonesia to advance their local policies. Waste reduction and environmental stewardship were not only central to Meghan’s professional life, but her personal life as well. ​We are honoured to present Meghan with this award posthumously, as nominated by her colleagues at the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Return-It (Encorp Pacific)

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Innovation

2022

​Encorp Pacific, also known as Return-It, has been in operation for over 27 years. Their Express system has revolutionized the recycling experience by allowing consumers to drop off their unsorted beverage containers in less than two minutes without the need to wait in line. To date, over 207,000 British Columbians have registered to use this world-class system, and to meet the growing demand they plan to expand to at least 10 new locations in 2022. Encorp has also made continued innovations across their operations, including introducing Canada’s first-of-its-kind compressed natural gas hybrid-electric compaction truck to their fleet, launching a coffee cup recycling pilot in the City of Vancouver, and this year, piloting in-depot automation technology at select Return-It depots to limit touch points, support volume and the customer experience.

Ridge Meadows Recycling Society

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Non-Profit Sector

2022

Ridge Meadows Recycling Society (RMRS) has been serving the Maple Ridge community for 50 years. Currently partnered with the City of Maple Ridge to provide recycling & environmental services, programs, & education, RMRS also manages the Maple Ridge Recycling Depot and an employment skills program for people with diverse abilities. The non-profit organization has continually evolved to serve their community, providing an ‘all in one’ stop recycling depot since 1990.

Fraser Basin Council Youth Program

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Youth Achievement

2022

The Fraser Basin Council Youth Program has been supporting innovations in implementing sustainability solutions through its Co-Creating a Sustainable BC program since 2019. The FBC Youth program connects youth from across BC to learn about differences in regional environmental challenges, to exchange knowledge, and to support each other in developing new ideas and implementing well-informed, locally relevant sustainability solutions. Recent projects include Waste Free Fraser Valley – a digital guide with information and concrete tips for fellow youth to follow the 6R’s to reduce food, electronic, plastic, and textile waste; Eco-Living Kitchen in Prince George, which is designed to help community members in Prince George and Williams Lake reduce and prevent waste in the kitchen; along with an organic waste reduction project in the Thompson area.

The Narwhal

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Brock Macdonald Award

2022

The Narwhal is a pioneer of non-profit journalism in Canada and is supported by more than 4,500 members. The Narwhal is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News, recognizing their adherence to strict standards of editorial independence and financial transparency. The Narwhal is also a founding member of Press Forward, Canada’s association for independent media, and a proud partner organization of Covering Climate Now, a collaborative global journalism project to bring more coverage to climate issues.

Past Winners

Click through to learn about the winners of RCBC Environmental Awards from past years.

Past Winners

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