2023 Winners

In 2023 we recognized 4 individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions towards the preservation and protection of BC’s environment.

Keep It Green Recycling

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Private Sector

2023

Keep it Green recycling has been serving Greater Vancouver’s film industry for over 10 years. The program started by seeking to recycle as much as possible from the film industry, but over the last decade they have grown to provide recycling services to businesses, homes, and special events that include customized zero waste programs and personalized diversion reporting. Beyond recycling, Keep It Green operates a 2600 square foot Material Reuse Warehouse where costumes, set materials, props, equipment, everything and anything you see on film can be dropped off and made available for reuse. Items dropped off at the Material Reuse Warehouse are provided to film productions, schools, community theatre groups, artists, and charities for free. Since opening, the team at Keep It Green have been able to divert and redistribute over 1,165 tonnes of reusable materials.

Let’s Talk Trash

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Public Sector

2023

Since 2011, the Let’s Talk Trash team have been contracted by the qathet Regional District on the Sunshine Coast to deliver its Waste Reduction Education Program. Their innovative program has included the creation of numerous educational resources, including a Zero Waste Guides for event planners and food vendors, making Zero Waste Stations available for public use, a community dish supply and portable dishwasher for local events, and training opportunities. The team at Let’s Talk Trash are involved in organizing and promoting a wide range of community programs and events, from wood-smoke reduction awareness to ocean debris clean-ups, and they offer free workshops to the public on local recycling programs and composting, conduct tours of waste management facilities, and work with local school sustainability committees and green teams. They have hosted over 100 one-hour informative and award winning radio shows on CJMP 90.1 FM on all matters related to waste reduction. They also publish weekly columns in the Peak newspaper and contribute regularly to a number of other publications.

Vitacore Industries

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Innovation

2023

Vitacore Industries’ personal protection equipment recycling program began in February 2021 as a response to the mounting usage of single-use PPE at the height of the pandemic. Since its inception, the program has diverted over 6.8 million masks from British Columbia’s parks, hospitals, and landfills. The program collects used, expired, and defective PPE and, after an extensive sanitation and sorting process, is able to recycle the material into polypropylene pellets to be used to manufacture new goods. Beyond its recycling program, Vitacore has taken steps to minimize waste in its own manufacturing processes for masks and respirators. The company has also collected off-cuts from partner organizations to give disposed and defective masks a second life. Vitacore’s PPE recycling initiative has garnered national attention and recognition, with the organization receiving funding from Canada’s Jobs and Growth Fund and BC Plastic Action Fund to expand their capabilities.

Kamloops Food Bank

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Non-Profit Sector

2023

Since 2007, the Kamloops Food Bank has operated the foodSHARE food recovery program, with a goal to recover foods of higher nutritional value such as protein, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. The Kamloops Food Bank is the largest food recovery program operated by a food bank in Western Canada. They have invested in systems, infrastructure and technology to ensure food is kept fresh and safe, and to track and measure their impact. In 2021 and 22 they recovered over 1.6 million pounds of perishable food and 918,000 pounds of non-perishable food from 22 retailers in Kamloops which was distributed to clients, 45 agencies and 20 schools, 9 regional foodbanks, and 6 local farmers for animal feed. Through digital tracking systems in their trucks, warehouses and client service areas, they are able to measure and track the types and quantities of food that are collected and distributed. This initiative helps local retailers better understand their own waste generation through regular reporting.

2022 Winners

In 2022 we recognized 6 individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions towards the preservation and protection 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.

2021 Winners

PickEco Refills

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Private Sector

2021

PickEco Refills is the Fraser Valley’s only zero waste grocery store. Since 2018, they have been providing sustainable, zero waste products to members of their community. In 2020, PickEco Refills added a composting service which diverts more than 1000kg of food waste weekly. They have based their entire business model on the circular economy – buying local as much as possible, reusing all containers, and turning food waste from local businesses and strata residences into nutrient rich soil. The people behind PickEco are deeply invested in their community – operating a clean up initiative at the Vedder River and were recently awarded a grant to allow them to hire a clean-up crew of 4 for 12 weeks, providing meaningful work experience to those with barriers to employment.

Marcia Dick

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Public Sector

2021

Marcia has worked as a Solid Waste Services Analyst with the City of Kamloops since 2016, but her involvement in the waste management field goes well beyond her time with the City. Marcia has been instrumental in advancing the City’s waste reduction initiatives, including the City’s participation in the Recycle BC program and the development of their three-phased approach to implementing curbside organics collection. She has been key in developing and moving forward these important waste reduction programs, and under her leadership recycling contamination rates have been significantly reduced over the past two years. Marcia is incredibly active in her community, participating in establishing Repair Cafes, volunteering with local environmental groups, and appearing regularly on local TV to discuss waste reduction issues and topics.

Cadillac Fairview

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Innovation

2021

Over the past several years, Cadillac Fairview has implemented an innovative new model for food waste management at their properties. Beginning with pilot projects at two of their BC properties in 2014 and 2015, they have implemented an integrated Hosted Sort Station and on-site food waste composting machine model which allows them to prevent contamination, sort, divert, and process food waste and compostable food waste packaging all on site. These innovations have created a circular solution outputting fertile compost that can be used for future growing. This integrated model is currently in place at all 3 BC properties, 2 in Alberta, and there are 14 more to come across Manitoba and Ontario in 2021-2023.

James Barth

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Non-Profit Sector

2021

James has been active in illegal dumping cleanups in the Comox Valley since 2012, organizing and working with volunteers to clean up his community. He works closely with the Comox Valley Regional District, who waive tipping fees on collected material through their illegal dumping program, on community clean up projects and waste reduction initiatives. James is committed to ensuring that all collected materials are handled responsibly, and that everything that can be diverted from landfill is recycled. He is deeply involved in local waste reduction programs, is active in educating others in the community, and works with local industry to help them ensure the waste they produce is handled responsibly.

Graydon Lawson

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Youth Achievement

2021

Graydon has been operating the waste reduction focussed Instagram account, ReduceWasteNow, since 2018. He has amassed more than 345,000 followers and recently opened an online store offering sustainable alternatives to everyday products. The ReduceWasteNow Instagram page focuses on providing easy, actionable solutions that people can integrate into their everyday lives to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Through his platform, Graydon has been able to reach hundreds of thousands of people all over the world with his thoughtful, action-oriented waste reduction content.

Brock Macdonald

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Lifetime Achievement

2021

RCBC CEO for 15 years, Brock Macdonald has left a lasting impact on both RCBC and BC’s recycling and circular economy sector.

2020 Winners

Green Chair Recycling

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Private Sector

2020

Green Chair Recycling is a social enterprise working to make events Zero Waste through their recycling and educational services. Through their involvement with a wide range of events, Green Chair has had the opportunity to advocate for best practices like the use of widely compostable paper or wood food containers. A staple at events like the Vancouver Sun Run, Car-Free Days, and many Canada Day events, they have been able to achieve a diversion rate in excess of 80% at their recycling stations, each of which is staffed by a team member providing event attendees with education and guidance. Always looking for ways to grow and increase their impact, Green Chair Recycling began to put greater focus on environmental consulting in 2019, working with BC Place and UBC.

YVR & Intuitive AI

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Innovation

2020

YVR and Intuitive AI partnered to launch Oscar in February 2019, a “smart” waste sorting bin that uses artificial intelligence technology to provide waste sorting education. With 3 locations around the airport, Oscar is continuously learning what people are throwing out and where those items should go – and can be easily updated to reflect changes in recycling practices. Through the use of engaging graphics and sounds, Oscar encourages users to spend more time at the bins and to learn where their waste belongs. With its location in Canada’s second largest airport (more than 26 million passengers passed through YVR in 2019 alone) Oscar has the potential to reach and educate users from all over the world.

Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society

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Non-Profit Sector

2020

The Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society has been providing conservation education in the city of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District since its inception in 1996. The society operates four education programs: Waste Wise, Water Wise, Watershed Health, and Sustainable Life. Their dedicated staff and volunteers provide educational programming to local classrooms, at community events, and through programs like Bikes for All, Skates for All, and Clothing Swaps. Reaching more than 50,000 residents annually, their programs have led to a 26% reduction in water use in Williams Lake, reduction in contamination at local recycle depots, and decreased landfilling costs for the City.

Azzam Haq

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Youth Achievement

2020

Azzam Haq is a Burnaby South Secondary School student who has led the Burnaby Youth Sustainability Network, the Burnaby South Green Team, and participated in programs like the Metro Vancouver Sustainability Toolkit field camp, The National Dialogue on Water, the Do It Green Conference, and the JA Youth Success Summit. Azzam has been active in bringing environmental initiatives into local schools, including programs to recycle stationary and refundable beverage containers, as well as banning plastic cutlery and straws in his school cafeteria.

Ginette Vanness

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Lifetime Achievement

2020

After leading the Health Product Stewardship Association (HPSA) for more than 15 years, Ginette Vanasse will be retiring this summer. The HPSA Board is extremely proud of her many successes that have grown the association from its inception (under the direction of our three founding members RxA, CGPA and CHP Canada) to an association that represents more than 148 industry members. The HPSA has become a known entity in the stewardship industry such that international agencies are seeking insight from Ginette and the team she has assembled.

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