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October 21 to 23, 2026

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise, Alberta

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  • WEDNESDAY, October 21

WEDNESDAY, October 21

  • 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Registration / Exhibit Set-up

    Exhibitors can set up between 9:00 am and 11:30 am.

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

    WORKSHOPS

    (optional / concurrent)

  • 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Workshop 1: Reading the Carbon Currents: Practical GHG Management Training: From Carbon Accounting to Decarbonization

    $75/person (space is limited, registration required)
    Lake Shore

    Led by: ECO Canada (note this is a similar course to the one offered virtual in May with the additional benefit of in-person instruction and improved opportunities to learn from other registrants)

    As organizations face growing expectations around climate action, carbon reporting, circular economy measurement, and Net Zero commitments, understanding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become an essential skill. This interactive training workshop will provide participants with a practical foundation in GHG accounting and emissions management, including how to identify, classify, and calculate Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.

    Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to collect and analyze emissions data, select appropriate emission factors, establish baselines, set reduction targets, and develop effective decarbonization strategies. Designed for professionals across the waste, recycling, circular economy, sustainability, and public sectors, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen reporting, support regulatory and ESG requirements, identify emissions reduction opportunities, and contribute to Canada’s transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Workshop 2: Treasure from the Tide: Finding Value in Food Waste Prevention Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Practical Strategies for Communities and Organizations

    $75/person (space is limited, registration required)
    Beehive Room

    Led by: CSA – Canadian Standards Association, Iris Monner & Dr. Maryia Halubok

    Food loss and waste is a significant environmental, economic, and social challenge—but it also presents one of the most immediate opportunities to advance circularity. This interactive workshop will explore where food loss and waste occurs across the value chain, introduce participants to the food waste hierarchy, and examine the important roles that municipalities, businesses, and consumers play in preventing waste and maximizing the value of food resources.

    Through practical examples, a municipal case study, and engaging group activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of effective policies, infrastructure investments, measurement approaches, secondary product opportunities, and behaviour change strategies that can help reduce food waste and support a more circular food system.

    Whether you are involved in policy development, program delivery, waste management, or sustainability initiatives, this session will provide actionable insights and tools to drive meaningful change in your community or organization.

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Workshop 3: Built for the Breakers: Building Resilience & Managing Risks in Times of Disruption: People, Programs, and Markets

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    Plain of Six Glaciers

    Led by: Martha McCabe, PROLINK and former Olympic Athlete

    Panelists:

    • Sam Punian, Alberta Bottle Depot Association
    • Brad Wells, Purves Redmond Ltd.
    • TBA, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
    • Sebastian Naslund, Enviro-Corp Recycling

    In an era of rapid change, resilience has become a critical capability for organizations across the recycling and circular economy sectors. From evolving regulations and EPR implementation to commodity market volatility, operational disruptions, and natural disasters, organizations are being challenged to adapt, recover, and thrive in increasingly complex environments. This interactive workshop brings together diverse perspectives on resilience—from leadership and organizational culture to program design, market dynamics, risk management, and business continuity. Drawing on lessons from elite sport, industry experience, and real-world case studies, participants will explore practical strategies for building resilience into the foundation of how their organizations operate.

    Through expert presentations, panel discussion, and interactive activities, attendees will gain actionable insights to strengthen their ability to manage uncertainty, mitigate risk, maintain focus on their mission, and emerge stronger from disruption.

    Sponsored by Alberta Bottle Depot Association

  • 10:30 am - 11:00 am

    Every Drop Counts: A tour of Canmore Regional Laundry & Dry Cleaning

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    Location: 101 Glacier Dr, Canmore, AB T1W 1K8

    Since 1987, Canmore Regional Laundry & Dry Cleaning has provided quality service and professional care to hotels and resorts in the Bow Valley, including Fairmont properties such as Chateau Lake Louise to manage and clean their textiles. Join Doug Whiteside, General Manager, Fairmont Regional Linen Service for a tour to learn about the sustainability practices of the facility, including water management and recycling, end-of-life processes for materials and their cleaning product choices to support the hospitality industry in the region.

    **note: There will be no transport provided from Chateau Lake Louise for this tour, we recommend planning this tour as a stop on your way to Lake Louise for the conference.

    Sponsored by Town of Canmore

  • 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

    Lunch: Anchors Away

    Casual lunch – light fare provided

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    TOURS

    (optional* / concurrent)

  • 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

    Tour 4: From peel to plate: A zero waste cooking class

    $75/person (space is limited, registration required)

    Led by: Chef Andreas

    Join Chef Andreas and the culinary team from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for an exclusive hands-on cooking experience that explores how sustainability and exceptional cuisine can go hand in hand. Participants will learn practical techniques for reducing food waste through creative ingredient utilization, meal planning, and the use of food scraps, while gaining insights into seasonal and local sourcing, low-carbon food choices, and the role of organic ingredients in a more sustainable food system and in a hospitality kitchen-level system. Throughout the session, attendees will prepare and sample Fairmont-quality recipes, discover professional culinary tips and techniques, and engage directly with the chefs through interactive discussions and Q&A. Whether you are passionate about food, sustainability, or both, this unique workshop will provide inspiration and practical skills that can be applied in kitchens at home, in the workplace, and across the hospitality sector. 

    Sponsored by Rehrig Pacific Company

  • 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    Tour 1: Hang Ten - Nature Walk/educational walk

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    ***this tour is full, we are keeping a waiting list***
    Meet in Temple Foyer

    Led by: Peter Duck

    Calling all explorers ready to dive into an adventure! Looking for a refreshing break? Join a local naturalist and resource recovery specialist for a guided walk through the stunning surroundings of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Stretch your legs, breathe in the mountain air, and discover how water connects communities, economies, and the natural world. Along the way, learn about local ecology, resource stewardship, and the important role water plays in sustaining life both within and beyond the Bow Valley.

    Sponsored by sonnevera international corp.

  • 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    Tour 5: Litter Picking - Lake Louise

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    Meeting location: outside the Mt Temple wing

    Join Jessica Oliver, the Environmental Systems Manager at Chateau Lake Louise for litter picking around Lake Louise as part of the Recycling Council of Alberta’s commitment to positive environmental contributions during our conference. This activity will be outside, so bring appropriate layers for the weather and shoes for walking in. Gloves and grabbers will be provided.

  • 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Tour 2: Water treatment plant and sustainability tour

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    ***this tour is full, we are keeping a waiting list***
    1-hour tour, offered from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

    A. Behind the Tap: A Water Treatment Tour

    Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is proud to have some of the cleanest drinking water in the entire world. The hotel’s drinking water starts its journey in Victoria Glacier. As it melts, it travels down the mountainside, bringing salt and minerals with it into Lake Louise. This process is what gives Lake Louise its unique turquoise colour. The hotel has a dedicated on-site water treatment plant, which draws the water directly from the lake, purifies it through 72 filter membranes and two high-powered UV lights, lightly chlorinates it, and pumps it across the property for guests and staff to enjoy. The hotel encourages guests to fill their reusable bottles with this pristine water at bottle refill stations or even straight from the tap in their room.

    B. Sustainability Tour

    Join Chateau Lake Louise management on a tour that outlines the environmental programs integral to the hotel. A behind the scenes look at how your Lake Louise stay is minimizing environmental impacts.

    Sponsored by Nespresso Canada

  • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Tour 3: Surf's up: a food tasting experience paired with information on responsible sourcing and sustainable ingredients

    $75/person (space is limited, registration required)
    ***this tour is full, we are keeping a waiting list***

    Experience the culinary craftsmanship of the Fairmont through a guided tasting tour that showcases a selection of signature dishes and ingredients. Along the way, discover the story behind each bite—from sourcing and preparation to the carbon footprint and broader environmental impacts associated with food production. 

    Led by the Fairmont’s culinary and sustainability teams, this interactive experience explores how food choices influence resource use, emissions, water, waste, and local economies, while highlighting the innovative practices being implemented to create a more sustainable dining experience. Join us for a unique opportunity to savor exceptional cuisine while gaining a deeper appreciation for the connection between food, hospitality, and environmental stewardship. 

    Sponsored by Purves Redmond Limited

  • 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    Coffee & Currents

    Alpine Gallery & Heritage Hall

    Exhibit Viewing and Refreshments

    Sponsored by Integrity Waste Solutions

  • 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Circular Marketplace

    Temple C

    Vendor registration ($55) – 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: Navigating New Waters in Industrial Circularity

    Temple AB

    Circularity hits differently in the industrial sector. Materials, assets and processes are bigger, risks can be higher, and the path forward is rarely straightforward. Economics, markets, infrastructure, technical feasibility and regulation all shape what’s possible. 

    This plenary brings together industry leaders finding new value in materials formerly considered waste, extending asset life, using alternative materials and uncovering efficiencies that keep resources in circulation and make circularity good business. 

    Through real-world examples, we’ll explore what these approaches have in common, where challenges differ, and what industries can learn from one another. Where are the biggest opportunities for collaboration? What barriers need to be removed? And what will it take to scale circular solutions? 

    This session also sets the stage for the RCA’s March 2027 Explore Circularity Day, where we’ll dive deeper into circularity in industry. 

    Moderator: Mehr Nikoo, RCA Board Member, Alberta Innovates 

    Panelists: 

    Sponsored by Claystone Waste Ltd.

  • 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    Pier to Peer Networking - Open Space

    Temple AB

    Sponsored by Cascades Recovery+

  • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Welcome Aboard - Opening Reception

    Temple ABC

     

    Drinks sponsored by CasCell Trading Group Inc.

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 10:00 pm - 2:00 am

    Hospitality Suite

    Pipestone Room

    Sponsored by Clorox Company of Canada

THURSDAY, October 22

  • 7:45 am - 8:30 am

    Wake and Wave - Breakfast

    Alpine Gallery & Heritage Hall

    Breakfast & Exhibit Viewing

    Sponsored by Alberta Recycling Management Association

  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am

    BREAKFAST SESSION: Beneath the surface: A closer look at Alberta’s EPR Rollout

    Temple ABC

    Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system is entering its next phase—and with it comes a new set of opportunities, challenges, and questions for everyone across the value chain.

    Join us for a candid, on-stage conversation featuring key players in Alberta’s EPR system, including Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and municipalities. Hear directly from those responsible for implementing and operating the system as they discuss what Phase 2 means on the ground, what is working, where the gaps remain, and what needs to happen next.

    This interactive session will explore implementation, roles and responsibilities, the evolving role of municipalities, service levels, data, costs, communications, and opportunities to improve the system as Alberta moves forward.

    This session will bring different perspectives together for an open discussion about where we are, where we’re headed, and how we can build a system that delivers better outcomes for Alberta. After the discussion there will be time for audience Q&A.

    Come with your questions. Leave with a better understanding of what Phase 2 means for Alberta’s circular economy.

     

    Moderator: Christina Seidel, sonnevera international corp.

    Panelists:

    • Ed Gugenheimer, Alberta Recycling Management Association
    • Blaire Gaalaas, Circular Materials
    • Jason Brown, Call2Recycle
    • Mannie Cheung, Product Care
    • Brianna Yee, Rural Municipalities of Alberta
    • Kylie Hill, Alberta Municipalities

    Sponsored by Circular Materials

  • 9:30 am - 10:00 am

    Setting Sail - Conference Opening

    Temple ABC

    Welcoming remarks:

  • 10:00 am - 10:45 am

    PLENARY SESSION: Keynote - Surfing the Shift to a Circular Economy - What reuse can teach us about community, resilience and systems change

    Temple ABC

    Reuse is about more than swapping a disposable food container or shipping box for a reusable one—a reusable item only delivers on its promise inside a system that can actually get it back, clean it, and return it to use. That’s not a swap, that’s a wholescale shift in how we design the products we use, the resources we consume, and the economies we build to keep them moving.

    In this keynote, Crystal Dreisbach, CEO of Upstream will provide an overview of the rapidly evolving reuse landscape and explore how reuse can be a powerful tool for economic transformation, community resilience and a more adaptive future. Drawing on Upstream’s work to grow a robust reuse economy, she will look beyond the familiar environmental arguments to explore the economic and social opportunities that come from keeping products and resources in circulation.

    From creating and keeping jobs in local communities to shortening supply chains and reducing dependence on virgin resources, reuse can help build economies that are more local, adaptable and resilient. It can also create new business models, infrastructure and opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities.

    But this isn’t just a story about efficiency, economics or environmental impact. Reuse can also be joyful. There is something fundamentally different about choosing to use, share, repair, refill or return something rather than simply throwing it away.

    The keynote will close with a call to action: how can we move reuse from a collection of individual choices to a systems-level shift—and what can each of us do to help catch the reuse wave?

    Moderator: Clayton Miller, Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP

    Keynote Speaker: Crystal Dreisbach, Upstream  

    Sponsored by Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP

  • 10:45 am - 11:15 am

    Refuel at the Reef

    Alpine Gallery & Heritage Hall

    Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments

    Sponsored by Product Care

  • 11:15 am - 12:30 pm

    PLENARY SESSION: Currents of capital: Putting Economy in the Circular Economy

    Temple ABC

    The circular economy is not only an environmental approach. It is an economic system that keeps materials, products, and resources in use for as long as possible while creating value for people, businesses and communities. For circular solutions to scale, they must be financially viable and supported by investment, strong markets, and practical business models with real world applications.

    While circular economy discussions often focus on environmental outcomes, long-term success depends on economics. How do circular ideas move beyond pilot projects and niche initiatives? What conditions are required to attract investment, support entrepreneurs, and create competitive businesses? What role do financiers, investors, regulators, and industry play in making circularity work at scale?

    Bringing together perspectives on economics and practical applications, this session will explore the opportunities and barriers facing circular solutions and examine what it takes to scale them in a way that creates value and supports a more resilient and competitive economy.

    Moderator: Nick Ford, BCMB

    Panelists:

    • Heather Stephans, Emission Reduction Alberta 
    • Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth

    Sponsored by The City of Edmonton

  • 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

    Down by the Bay - Lunch

    Sponsored by Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation

  • 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    CONCURRENT SESSION: The Next Wave - The future of textiles

    Temple AB

    Explore Circularity Day 2026 brought Alberta’s textile community together to explore the challenges and opportunities of textile circularity. Now, we pick up where we left off.

    This expert panel will look at what’s enabling progress in Alberta — from landfill scarcity and growing community values, to making reuse and repair more accessible, adopting innovative materials and circular business models, and finding new ways to keep textiles in use and in circulation. Panelists will also look beyond Alberta to national policy and international developments, exploring what’s changing, what’s working and what it could mean for the future of textiles here at home.

    Where are the biggest opportunities? What conditions are needed to accelerate change? And what’s the next wave of textile circularity in Alberta?

    Moderator: Claire Theaker-Brown, Theaker Co. Ltd.
    Panelists:

    • Charlotte Genge, Ensemble Co.
    • Paul Long, ANIAN
    • Karolina Korzenieski, University of Alberta, Enterprise Partnerships

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    CONCURRENT SESSION: Good Vibrations: Reuse Across Sectors

    Temple C

    Reuse is being tested across policy, retail, logistics, events, and community systems—but results vary widely depending on context and design.
    This session brings together leaders from across the reuse ecosystem to compare real-world experiences, including municipal programs, retail refill pilots, delivery platforms, event-based reuse, and community initiatives. Rather than standalone updates, speakers will reflect on what is actually working, where challenges persist, and what is needed to scale.
    The conversation will highlight practical lessons on cost, behaviour, infrastructure, and policy—surfacing what different sectors can learn from one another to accelerate reuse systems that work in practice, not just in theory.

    Moderator: Carla Bitz, Town of Banff

    Panelists:

    Sponsored by IPL Schoeller

  • 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

    Afternoon Drift

    Alpine Gallery & Heritage Hall

    Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments

    Sponsored by TOMRA Canada Inc.

  • 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

    CONCURRENT SESSION: Flowing forward: Plastics and Packaging in the Circular Economy

    Temple AB

    The plastics industry is continuing to evolve with global pressures and policy, market, and infrastructure developments. This session goes beyond high-level updates to examine what is actually working on the ground to advance plastics circularity—and where key challenges remain.
    Speakers will explore the real-world impacts of plastics in use, material design changes, and recycling system performance, including where recovery is improving and where system gaps persist. The discussion will also highlight emerging investments, technology shifts, and policy directions that will shape the next phase of plastics and packaging systems.
    Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where we are heading, what is driving change in the plastics industry, and what it means for municipalities, industry, and waste management operators in practice.

    Moderator: Lori Koebel, CPT/ABCRC

    Panelists:

    • Elena Mantagaris, Association of Plastic Recyclers
    • Tony Moucachen, Merlin Plastics
    • Anna Rajkovic, Borouge Int’l
    • Usman Valiante, Cardwell Grove Inc.

    Sponsored by Waste Management (WM)

  • 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

    CONCURRENT SESSION: Harnessing Nature’s Waves: Designing a Renewable Energy System for the Long Term

    Temple C

    Renewable energy is central to building a low-carbon future—but the energy transition is also a materials transition. Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and grid infrastructure rely on large volumes of metals, minerals, and advanced materials that must be responsibly managed across their full lifecycle.

    This session explores how circular economy principles can help ensure the clean energy transition is also a resource-smart transition. Speakers will discuss opportunities to design renewable technologies for reuse and recycling, recover critical materials, and reduce future waste streams.

    Join leaders from the energy, recycling, and materials sectors as they examine how circular thinking can strengthen supply chains, support industrial innovation, and build a truly sustainable energy system.

    Panelists:

     

    Sponsored by CSA Group

  • 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm

    Beach Party Banquet

    Temple ABC

    Reception drinks sponsored by EFS-Plastics Alberta Inc.

    Wine sponsored by New West Gypsum Recycling Inc.

    Rs of Excellence Awards

    MC: Sabrina Huot-Boer, AB Emerald Foundation

    Band: Mile High Club Band

    Entertainment sponsored by LT3 Deposit Return Systems 

    Reception sponsored by Circular Materials 

    Costume prizes sponsored by Bosch Truck Group Inc.

     

  • 10:00 pm - 2:00 am

    Hospitality Suite

    Sponsored by Clorox Company of Canada

FRIDAY, October 23

  • 8:00 am - 9:00 am

    Morning Moorings

    Temple ABC

    Breakfast & Exhibit Viewing

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 9:00 am - 10:30 am

    PLENARY SESSION: Innovation - A Rising Tide Raises all Boats

    Temple ABC

    This session brings together innovators from diverse industries to share real-world examples of circular solutions in action. Through a series of short presentations and discussion, participants will explore how organizations are redesigning products, recovering value from materials, developing new business models, and creating partnerships that drive change.

    Moderator: Mark Emsden, BCMB

    Panelists:

    • Emma Sawabey, Delve Recycling
    • Michelle Frechette, Connected Kitchen
    • Kevin Pennock, KORE Outdoors
    • Khorcheska Batyrova, Ozone Bio
    • Desiree Somers, ZeroFlow Digital
    • Alicia Aikens, Fashion Takes Action
    • Clay Williams, Black Earth

    Sponsored by Beverage Container Management Board

  • 10:30 am - 11:00 am

    Dockside Discussions

    Alpine Gallery & Heritage Hall

    Exhibit Viewing & Refreshments

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    PLENARY SESSION: Charting the course - Measurement in a Circular Economy: From Vision to Implementation

    Temple ABC

    Many organizations and governments have committed to advancing a circular economy through roadmaps, strategies, and sector studies. But how do we know if we’re making real progress? What should we be measuring—and what data do we still need?

    This session explores how circular economy initiatives are translating vision into measurable outcomes. Speakers will share how reports, roadmaps and indicators are being used to track circularity across sectors and inform policy, investment, and industry action. The discussion will also explore common challenges, including data gaps, measurement points, inconsistent metrics, and the complexity of measuring circular systems.

    Join us for a practical conversation on how better measurement can help move the circular economy from ambition to evidence—and accelerate real-world results.

    Moderator: Isabelle Faucher, Carton Council of Canada

    Panelists:

    Sponsored by The City of Calgary

  • 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

    Surf and Turf - Lunch

    Temple ABC

    Sponsorship Opportunity Available

  • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Litter Picking - Lake Louise

    free (space is limited, registration required)
    Meeting location: outside the Mt Temple wing

    Join Jessica Oliver, the Environmental Systems Manager at Chateau Lake Louise for litter picking around Lake Louise as part of the Recycling Council of Alberta’s commitment to positive environmental contributions during our conference. This activity will be outside, so bring appropriate layers for the weather and shoes for walking in. Gloves and grabbers will be provided.

  • WEDNESDAY, October 21