- WEDNESDAY, October 22
- THURSDAY, October 23
- FRIDAY, October 24
WEDNESDAY, October 22
- 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Registration / Exhibit Set-up
- 11:00 am - 2:45 pm
TOURS
Tours (optional* / concurrent)
Please note the varying start and end times for each tour indicated below- Life Support Systems – Guided Bus from Calgary – 6:30am departure – $240/person (includes cost of bus to Jasper and bagged lunch)
This tour will leave Calgary at 6:30am and arrive in Jasper at approximately 2:00pm- while you ride, our expert mountaineer and guide Kristi Beetch will share information on ecology, water systems and indigenous history. You’ll also make several interpretive stops on the way. For the journey home you will have an option to book a return shuttle (interpretation is one way only) - Trail Rebuilding Volunteer Opportunity – from 9:00am-11:00am – no cost
We have the opportunity to give back to the Jasper community by helping rebuild some trails. More info here. Note that this opportunity is also offered on Friday, Oct. 24th from 2:00-4:00pm
- Rocket Fuel for the Future – Jasper Food Tour – 11:00am-2:00pm – $139/person
On this short 1.5 KM downtown guided walk, you’ll be visiting four local restaurants and tasting four carefully handpicked dishes paired with boozie treats while listening to Jasper’s top tales along the way. What’s on the menu? Not telling. It’s all part of the adventure.
- Planetary Boundaries – Peak-Nic – 12:00-2:00pm – $149/person
On Wildfire Peak-Nic, you will be hiking 4 KM through severely impacted site of the Complex Wildfire to one of Jasper’s prominent peaks. As your guide leads you through new growth forest emerging from the ash, you will learn to identify various species of plants, wildflowers and mushrooms, learn about history, geology, forestry, wildfires and observe wildlife from a safe distance. Once at the peak, you will take in 360-degree views of the different yet stunning vistas for miles and learn about the roles and benefits of a wildfire over a hot lunch with your guide.
- Zero Waste and Zero Gravity Grub – Zero Waste Cooking Class – 12:30-2:30pm – $75/person
Joanna Tschudy and Leanne Cripps from the Alex, along with a Fairmont chef will lead us on a culinary adventure with tips on bringing zero waste cuisine to your kitchen. You’ll cook with seasonal ingredients with a menu designed to rescue food items and be implemented with zero waste. Hear about the Alex’s amazing community programs and the Fairmont’s sustainability initiatives.
- Space Junk Solutions – Debris/Crisis Management Overview from the Municipality of Jasper – 12:30-2:30pm – $20/person (cost includes shuttle to town)
Hear from the Municipality of Jasper and service providers about current operations and the debris management process/challenges with the fire.
Sponsored by Claystone Waste Ltd.
- Eco-Explorers – JPL Sustainability Tour – 1:00-2:00pm – no cost
Sponsored by Rehrig Pacific Company
- Out for a Space Walk – Nature Walk at JPL – 1:00-2:00pm – no cost
Explore the grounds of the iconic JPL and walk around the lake and grounds
*Note: These tours are scheduled subject to attendance – if we have low numbers we may have to cancel or reschedule.
- Life Support Systems – Guided Bus from Calgary – 6:30am departure – $240/person (includes cost of bus to Jasper and bagged lunch)
- 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Fuel Up at the Space Station
- 12:30 pm - 2:45 pm
WORKSHOPS
Workshops (optional* / concurrent)
- Crash Course: Communicating Complexity with Niki Wilson – $75/person
Great ideas lose their power when they are buried in jargon, lost in the weeds or are just…too long. This hands-on, two-hour workshop is designed for professionals who need to explain complex topics – data, strategy, research or processes – to people that don’t speak the lingo. It could be your manager, your team, the public or the media. We’ll go through techniques used in effective and impactful communication, then write and practice an “elevator pitch” that can be used to deliver your message to a specific audience. Come with a real idea or message you want to sharpen. - Celestial Circles: Measuring Success for Municipal Circularity – $75/person
The workshop titled “Measuring Success for Municipal Circularity” will explore how local governments can transition from measuring waste diversion to measuring circularity, while continuing to support data-driven decision-making and accountability. In this shifting landscape, municipalities face challenges in defining and measuring waste management performance, and understanding how they are doing compared to other communities. In this session, participants will learn about innovative frameworks and metrics being adopted in Canada and abroad, including single-metrics and tiered performance frameworks. Attendees will gain insights into options to overcome challenges such as data availability and quality, and leverage the opportunity to better communicate the impacts of efforts deployed. The workshop will also highlight collaborative opportunities for developing new metrics and sharing best practices on how to use measurement frameworks to drive continuous improvement. Hands-on activities will allow participants to leave with tangible actions for next steps, and will also allow participants to hear from each other, and collaborate to come up with shared solutions. - Super-Sonic Circularity: Building Circular Supply Chains for Local Economic Resilience with Claire Theaker-Brown – $75/person
Consumer demand for Made in Canada products has surged, and more customers than ever are factoring sustainability into their purchasing decisions. However, investing in new local supplier relationships and sustainable circularity strategies can pose added costs and risks to Alberta businesses with existing operations. In this workshop, participants will be invited into the creative, risk-minimized strategy applied by an award-winning Alberta business to their building of a hyperlocal, circular supply chain. Through an interactive case study presentation featuring Unbelts, a Certified B Corp based in Edmonton, participants will gain real-world insights into:- The competitive advantages of hyperlocalization and cross-industry collaboration
- The complexity and unexpected challenges of “circularizing” a linear supply chain
- How and why to test alternative business models before full implementation
- How to create stakeholder buy-in within and outside of their organizations
Complementing the presentation, a facilitated discussion and hands-on activity will empower participants to overcome circularity analysis paralysis and leave with a practical, iterative strategy to apply within their own enterprise.
Sponsored by sonnevera international corp.
*Note: These workshops are scheduled subject to attendance – if we have low registration numbers we may have to cancel or reschedule.
- Crash Course: Communicating Complexity with Niki Wilson – $75/person
- 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The Gravity Pause
Exhibit Viewing and Refreshments
Sponsored by Nespresso Canada
- 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Circular Marketplace
Vendor registration ($50) – more info here
This is your opportunity to showcase artwork, repurposed goods, sharing services, and reused or upcycled materials to an audience of sustainability leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts. The Circular Marketplace, sponsored by GFL, is a highly anticipated highlight of the conference and a celebration of circularity in action.
Sponsored by GFL Environmental
- 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
PLENARY SESSION: Compost in the Cosmos - The Future of Organics Management
Food loss and waste account for 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions and cost $1 trillion annually*(UNFCC). As a wicked problem, there are many reasons to get discouraged by these statistics. Our panelists are motivated to change the current system of organics management. Join this dynamic presentation as we delve into the world of solutions and improvements for organics.
Sponsored by The City of Edmonton
- 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Circular Command Centre - RCA Annual General Meeting
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Starlight Social - Opening Reception
Reception drinks sponsored by: CasCell Trading Group Inc.
- 7:45 pm - 9:45 pm
TOUR: Planetarium Dark Sky Experience
Wednesday Night Planetarium Dark Sky Experience – $70/person
–> limited space available – book early!Viewing one: 7:45-9:45pm
(if needed we will open a spot at 9:45pm)
Enjoy a full evening of cosmic exploration in the world’s largest dark sky preserve.
First, take-part in a fun, funny, inspiring ‘audience-participation’ guided tour of Jasper Dark Sky Preserve in our 50-seat domed theatre LIVE with our astronomy experts. Then, come outside with our knowledgeable astronomy staff for clear-or-cloudy chance to explore planets, stars, distant galaxies, the aurora, and more under the darkest skies in the Rockies.
THURSDAY, October 23
- 7:45 am - 8:30 am
Rocket Fuel Breakfast
Sponsored by Alberta Depot
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am
EPR Breakfast Session - Charting the Course of EPR Roll Out in Alberta
Six months into Alberta’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) implementation – hear from the PROs and oversight body on key updates and have a chance to ask your burning questions about next steps and phase 2 roll out. Presenters will include ARMA, Circular Materials, Product Care and Call2Recycle
- 9:00 am - 9:30 am
CONFERENCE OPENING - MacKenzie Brown
MacKenzie Brown is a First Nations Cree woman (Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation). Performer, drummer, tourism entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for youth-at-risk. MacKenzie was recently highlighted as the only Indigenous and Albertan artist on the reality TV show Landscape Artist of the year, Canada where she was in the top 3 finalists. Winner of Emerald Award – on What on EARTH Can We Do podcast. Talking about “reciprocity with the land, insights into blending Indigenous knowledge with modern environmental approaches, and the role of Indigenous youth in leading future stewardship initiative.
Sponsored by The City of Calgary
- 9:30 am - 10:45 am
PLENARY SESSION: Fire and Ice
This session on wildfires and glacial loss will highlight the urgent environmental signals driving the need for systems change, the impact our actions have on our planet and how circular economy approaches support lessening those.
Speakers:- Greg Van Tighem
- Jim Elzinga
Sponsored by Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation
- 10:45 am - 11:15 am
Refuel & Recharge
Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments
Sponsored by EFS-Plastics Inc.
- 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
PLENARY SESSION: Resistance is Futile - Packaging Design Change through Producer-led Initiatives
More than just a policy, EPR in action is making a positive impact on the circularity of packaging design. Learn from producers and packaging manufacturers about how the introduction of EPR is changing their products and practices for improved environmental outcomes.
- 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
AstroBites Lunch
Sponsored by Cascades
- 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: The Next (Final?) Frontier - Exposing the Current State of Textile Circularity in Alberta and Exploring Ways to Challenge the Status Quo
Learn about Alberta’s textile circularity context, what’s happening nationally and internationally to be inspired to take next steps in the textile circularity frontier together.
- 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: May the Force be With You - Convening Efforts to Keep Plastics Out of the Environment
The work of local, national and international collaboration to address the massive challenge of plastics in our natural world. We will talk about the role of data and measurement to highlight problem areas but also host a discussion about what’s next and the steps we can all take to manage plastics.
- 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: The Buzz (Lightyear) about Wood(y) and Friends - Mining Resources that are Already in Circulation
How Canadian companies are finding ultimate value in items previously considered as waste and re-defining resource extraction by targeting materials that are above ground.
Sponsored by Quantum Lifecycle Partners
- 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Snackstronaut Break
Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments
Sponsored by Tomra Canada Inc.
- 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: In a Galaxy Not So Far Away - Municipalities Uniting Circular Initiatives and Actors Across Industries
Municipalities are leading the way in the roll out of circular roadmaps and more.
Sponsored by Integrity Waste Solutions
- 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: Beam me up, Ellen - The Contributions of Technology to a Growing Circular Economy
If we can imagine it, it can be a reality. The companies that are taking tech to the next level in the roll out of a circular economy and how they are challenging the status quo in their industries.
Sponsored by Machinex
- 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSION: To Infinity (and Beyond) - Driving Value for Reuse with Major Players
How reuse companies are challenging the status quo and delivering increased value to their customers over competing single-use options. Inspiring case studies that prove reuse is possible and can be launched at scale.
Sponsored by CSA Group
- 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The Big Bang Banquet and Entertainment
Sponsored by Circular Materials
FRIDAY, October 24
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Galactic Gathering
Breakfast & Exhibit Viewing
Sponsored by Alberta Bottle Depot Association
- 9:00 am - 10:30 am
PLENARY SESSION: To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before - Innovation
The innovators share their commitment to deliver circular solutions – how their projects are becoming mainstream and what it takes to get there.
Sponsored by Beverage Container Management Board
- 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Comet Cafe
Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments
Sponsored by IPL North America Inc.
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
PLENARY SESSION: The Force is Strong with This One - Madison Feehan: Sustainable [Circular] Manufacturing from Earth to Space
In this session, Madison Feehan will take us on a journey beyond Earth as she introduces Space Copy — a company she founded using 3D printing to support circular design on earth and in space! She will reveal how Space Copy is conserving resources and tackling real-world challenges, from disaster recovery on Earth to the extreme conditions of space. Discover how innovation is helping to shape a more sustainable future — both on and off our planet!
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunar Lunch
Sponsored by Alberta Recycling Management Authority
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Trail Rebuilding Volunteer Opportunity
Trail Rebuilding Volunteer Opportunity – from 2:00-4:00pm – no cost
We have the opportunity to give back to the Jasper community by helping rebuild some trails. More info here.
- WEDNESDAY, October 22
- THURSDAY, October 23
- FRIDAY, October 24