2021 Winners

In 2021 we recognized 6 individuals and businesses for their contributions towards the preservation and protection of BC’s environment.

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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