Closing the Loop

How has the pandemic affected sustainability? Diversity and sustainability experts Heather Mak and Coro Strandberg return to Closing the Loop to chat with Allen about diversity in sustainability and how the pandemic has enabled a purpose-driven economy. They discuss what a purpose-driven economy is, how the pandemic has enabled it, and equity, diversity, and inclusion in sustainability.

Additional Resources

In this podcast, Heather discusses the results of The State of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sustainability survey, results of which were shared in September 2021.  More information can be found at www.diversityinsustainability.com.  Coro speaks to a number of resources and reports (noted below) useful to accelerate sustainable business models, sustainable industry associations, the circular economy and social purpose in business. 

·       Resource for business and industry associations to help their members address sustainability:  The Sustainable and Just Association 

·       Resource to understand emerging trends in sustainable business models:  The Future of Business in Society 

·       The Propelling Purpose Summit on November 17 & 18, 2021. Register for the first-ever virtual national gathering of social purpose thought leaders, subject-matter experts, businesses, champions, practitioners and interested allies to learn about social purpose in business and map the road to the Purpose Economy in Canada. Here is a 15% discount code: SP-21.

·       The National Zero Waste Council’s Circular Economy Business Toolkit 

How does the electronics recycling process work in BC? Craig Wisehart, Executive Director of the Electronic Product Recycling Association of BC joins Allen to answer key questions about how and why British Columbians should recycle their end-of-life electronics. They discuss making recycling accessible, the impact of the EPRA program, and how the global pandemic has impacted electronics recycling locally.

About EPRA

Electronic Products Recycling Association is a not-for-profit extended producer responsibility association set up by the major producers and retailers of electronics to provide industry-led and regulated recycling programs for unwanted electronics. To learn more, please visit https://www.return-it.ca/electronics/.   To learn more about having your reusable electronics refurbished rather than recycled, please contact BC Technology for Learning Society at www.ReuseTechBC.ca.  BC Technology for Learning Society operates the Computers for Schools program in BC and distributes over 7,000 refurbished computers and laptops to BC schools, charities, and libraries each year. 

What are the potential solutions for the recycling of plastic beverage containers?  In this episode of Closing the Loop, Allen speaks with Steve Alexander, President & CEO of The Association of Plastic Recyclers, an international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry. They discuss APRR’s position paper on deposit collection programs for beverage containers, chemical recycling, US deposit programs and more.

About the Association of Plastic Recyclers

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is an international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry. APR member companies are committed to the success of plastics recycling and shaping the future of the industry.  To learn more, please click here 

What can British Columbians do with used, end-of-life large appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and fridges? Michael Zarbl, Executive Director at the Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) joins Allen to discuss BC’s rapidly expanding large appliance recycling program. Allen and Michael chat about the importance of large appliance recycling, how the program contributes to a circular economy, and more.

About MARR

The Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) is a not-for-profit stewardship agency created to manage the end-of-life for major household appliances in the province of British Columbia on behalf of the major appliance producers.  MARR is focused on enhancing the performance and transparency of the existing market-based system of collecting and recycling major household appliances in BC.  To learn more please click here

Protecting our oceans and waterways goes beyond recycling; this year, Return-It is partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation on efforts to manage the problem of microplastics in salmon habitats. Allen sits down with Mike Meneer, President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation to discuss the work they are doing to protect salmon habitat and what we can all do to support efforts.


About the Pacific Salmon Foundation 

Founded in 1987, the Pacific Salmon Foundation is a federally incorporated non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their natural habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon.  Operating independently from the government, The Foundation facilitates dialogue and undertakes positive initiatives in support of Pacific salmon amongst all levels of government including First Nations; as well as industry, communities, individual volunteers and all fishing interests.  To learning more about the Pacific Salmon Foundation and how you can support, please visit https://www.psf.ca/support

 Can compostable plastics be part of the solution to plastic pollution? The City of Vancouver is one of the first to take a closer look at the feasibility of compostable plastics. This week, Allen speaks with Monica Kosmak and Andrea McKenzie from the City of Vancouver about its evaluation on compostable plastics, including the myths and challenges. 

To learn more about the City of Vancouver’s Single Use Item Reduction Strategy, please visit https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/single-use-items.aspx. 

In January 2021, the Canada Plastics Pact launched as part of a global response to address plastic pollution. Over 1,000 businesses, policymakers, associations and NGOs (including Return-It) joined Canada’s Plastics Pact, enabling coordinated action for a New Plastics Economy. Allen speaks to David Hughes, President & CEO of The Natural Step Canada, and Usman Valiante, Senior Policy Analyst at Cardwell Grove, to discuss their involvement in the Canada Plastics Pact and how fundamental change is possible, as well as the goals and next steps for the Canadian signatories of the Pact.  Learn more about the Canada Plastics Pact at https://plasticspact.ca/

How can a business remain successful while placing a large emphasis on sustainability? London Drugs has become known for its environmental leadership among its customers and local community. On this fourteenth edition of Closing the Loop, Allen and Clint Mahlman, President and Chief Operating Officer at London Drugs, discuss the company’s ‘What’s the Green Deal’ program, which includes education, engagement, action, and leadership. 

Can businesses work to change the trajectory of global plastic waste? Erin Simon, Plastic Waste + Business Head at the World Wildlife Fund thinks so – that’s why WWF launched its ReSource Plastic initiative, which supports companies in creating meaningful action against plastic pollution. On this episode of Closing the Loop, Erin and Allen discuss the ReSource initiative, investing in sustainable production, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About WWF's ReSource Plastic Initiative:

For more information on the WWF’s ReSource Plastic initiative, please visit www.resource-plastic.com.  More information on the US Plastics Pact which brings together many different stakeholders, including businesses, government, NGO’s and researchers can be found at https://usplasticspact.org/

How can we find new potential while reducing food waste? Goodly Foods is a social enterprise in Vancouver, BC that uses surplus produce to create delicious soups for its community, while creating unique employment opportunities and supporting local food banks. On this episode of Closing the Loop, Aart Schuurman Hess, CEO of Goodly Foods and Yuri Fulmer, Chairman at Fulmer & Company join Return-It President & CEO Allen Langdon to discuss Goodly Foods’ unique approach to reframing the narrative around food waste and seeing it as a resource and the potential it has to offer 

About Goodly Foods

• Goodly™ branded soups are available for purchase to buying partners in both retail and grocery outlets as well as to institutions and food service providers.  To find out more about the Goodly Foods Society, including its partners and how you can support the great work they do, please visit https://hellogoodly.ca/about/