The eighth annual Zero Waste Conference promises to be the best one yet. We have a stellar line-up of speakers, sessions, and networking opportunities for you. Here’s the vital information you need so you won’t miss a thing.
 Social Media
2018 Zero Waste Conference Twitter account
@ZWCVancouver
Metro Vancouver Twitter account
@MetroVancouver
National Zero Waste Council Twitter account
@nzwcouncil
Event hashtag
#ZWC18
Venue Directions
Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre West
If coming by transit, the Vancouver Convention Centre West is walking distance from the Waterfront Skytrain Station. All local transit options service this station including Skytrain (Millenium, Canada, and Expo Lines) Seabus, West Coast Express, and Translink’s bus service (002, 044, 050, 211, and 241 buses). Information on accessible entrances can be found on this map.
Cyclists may wish to take advantage of Translink’s secure bicycle parking at Main Street–Science World, King Edward, Joyce–Collingwood, Metrotown, and King George SkyTrain stations.
If driving, underground pay parking is available at the Convention Centre. Parking rate information is available at the Impark web site.
Local helicopter and float plane service also services this location. For information on schedules and ticket availability contact:
Harbour Air (floatplane service)
Attendees coming from Vancouver International Airport can take advantage of direct transit service to the Convention Centre via the Canada Line Skytrain, or utilize the various taxi, limousine, and shuttle services available from the airport.
Program at a Glance
Conference MC: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council
DAY ONE – November 8, 8:30 am WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS
Malcolm Brodie, Conference Host, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada – video welcome
8:45 am KEYNOTE – Gerd Leonhard, Futurist and Humanist
Making connections and advancing our thinking is one of the keys to progress. Futurist Gerd Leonhard is connecting the dots to our data-driven future – championing the benefits and highlighting the risks. Gerd’s vision of our future is that of great potential to make the world a better place for all. But he’s quick to point out the potholes on the road to a circular economy as well highlighting the technologies that will impact our lives the most, and outlining the human-scaled answers needed to ensure the 21st century landscape is a place we all want to live.
Moderator: Dr. Murali Chandrashekaran, Vice Provost, International, University of British Columbia
9:30 AM TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
The circular economy demands technological innovations on a scale not yet seen in our modern world. This pace of change is still quickening, continuing to yield unforeseen benefits and unintended consequences – from seeds of innovation planted using zero waste principles. We’ll be examining both the potential opportunities and potential pitfalls technology is creating as the circular economy grows.
Speakers
Vanessa Grondin, Vice-President, Food and Beverage Industry, OPTEL
Jay Thakkar, Manager, Accenture Strategy
Garnet Miller, IT Architect, Cognitive Business Decision Support, IBM Services
Moderator: Chris Ripley, CEO, Smarter Sorting
10:30 am MATERIALS & DESIGN INNOVATION
New materials and zero waste designs. Innovations in deconstruction, recycling, repair, and reuse close the loop. What does it take to move beyond our “take-make-dispose†linear mode of thinking and into a circular model? It all starts with materials and product design – redefining our relationship with stuff and designing goods without the waste embedded in current production and consumption models. Learn how inventors and pioneers in disruptive design are leading the way to the circular economy transition.
SPARK Talk
Arthur Huang, CEO and Founder of Miniwiz
Panel
Rhys Thom, Senior Design Lead, Design for Change, IDEO
Kate Daly, Executive Director, Center for the Circular Economy, Closed Loop Partners
Moderator: Mikhael Metauro, National Business Development & Sales Strategist, Cascades Recovery
11:30 am KEYNOTE – Transformational leadership on the journey to the circular economy
A Conversation with Sitra, Zero Waste Scotland and The Netherlands
Now is the time for innovative solutions and positive action. Around the world, comprehensive circular economy strategies are driving innovation and change – and much of that innovation is being led by governments. There is an important role for governments to play – not only as innovators and policy makers but as leaders encouraging change and risk. Learn from three national and international organizations at the forefront – Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund,, Zero Waste Scotland and The Netherlands.
Mari Pantsar, Director, Carbon-Neutral Circular Economy, Sitra
Iain Gulland, CEO, Zero Waste Scotland
Henk Snoeken, Consul General of the Netherlands in Vancouver
Moderator: Kathryn Gretsinger, Vancouver Journalist and Senior Lecturer, UBC Graduate School of Journalism
12:30 pm LUNCH
1:15 pm DESIGN PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE
The National Waste Council design portfolio celebrates Canadian products and packaging that take the entire lifecycle into account during design, and are moving towards a circular economy by minimizing waste. From fashion to furniture, businesses are finding cost-savings, reduced environmental impacts, and increased consumer appeal by designing differently. Join us as we showcase the 2018 recipients.
Presenters
Malcolm Brodie , Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee
Jim Downham, President and CEO, Packaging Consortium (PAC) & Vice Chair, National Zero Waste Council
1:30 pm KEYNOTE – Wayne Visser – Sustainability Innovation & Change Management/Closing the Loop
Wayne Visser, Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School
After years spent working on sustainability, Wayne Visser believes we are on the cusp of a major revolution – nothing short of the next industrial revolution. The time for fear-mongering and demonising companies has past. Now is the time for innovative solutions and positive action. This is nowhere more true than in the do-or-die challenge of creating a circular economy. A sobering thought. But Visser brings solutions – solutions to the challenges of pollution, resource depletion, and waste –a blueprint for the greener future.
Moderator: John Coyne, VP, Legal & External Affairs, Unilever Canada Inc. & Executive Chair, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance
2:15 pm BUSINESS MODEL TRANSFORMATION
Sweeping changes are coming to the marketplace. Circular principles bring challenges to traditional business practices, rewards for successful innovators, and a fundamental shift in the way we use the goods and services that drive our global economy. Exploring the factors bringing the biggest impacts, examining the trends still gaining momentum, and understanding the most effective ways to prosper in these exciting times – our speakers and panelists bring their creativity, experience, and vision to share with attendees.
Panelists
Guillaume Lavoie, Lecturer, National School of Public Administration, University of Quebec
Megan Arnaud, Retail Leader, EILEEN FISHER Renew
Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada
Local Profiles
Jessica Regan, CEO, FoodMesh
Felix Böck, Founder and CEO, ChopValue Manufacturing Ltd.
Brianne Miller, Founder and CEO, Nada Market
Moderator: Denise Taschereau, CEO & Co-Founder, Fairware
3:30 pm LEADERSHIP TO PREVENT FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
Food waste remains one of the biggest areas of waste in our society – more than a third of the food produced and distributed in Canada never gets eaten. In this session we’ll see how private/public collaborations, industry initiatives, and consumer-driven trends are all playing a part in the fight against food waste. We can achieve far greater success through collaboration and a unified vision for change.
Zero Food Waste Culinary Showcase
Bob Blumer, Professional Gastronaut and host of Food Network’s The Surreal Gourmet
The TV chef, ‘gastronaut’, and ambassador for Second Harvest in Toronto will be performing live at the 2018 Zero Waste Conference, demonstrating how leftovers and unused food can become delicious meals with a little imagination and an open mind.
Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada
In conjunction with key stakeholders the National Zero Waste Council launched A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada– a systems based framework for preventing and reducing food waste, along with a national food waste reduction campaign: Love Food Hate Waste Canada / J’aime manger pas gaspiller .
Speakers
Tom Rosser, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Sam Wankowski, Senior Vice President of Operations, Western Canada, Walmart Canada
Lori Nikkel, CEO, Second Harvest
Cher Mereweather, Executive Director, Provision Coalition
Moderator:Denise Philippe, Lead on Food Waste and Loss Strategy for Canada, National Zero Waste Council
4:45 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION – Dr. Leyla Acaroglu – Disrupting the Status Quo
Dr Leyla Acaroglu, Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool
Acaroglu’s work illuminates the ways design impacts our perspectives and behaviours. Then she goes a step further. Looking at the stories we tell ourselves in our daily lives, in the myriad consumer choices we make, she sees the urge to make sustainable choices sabotaged by mistaken beliefs about materials and their properties.
Moderator: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council
5:35 pm Closing Remarks
Malcolm Brodie, Conference Host, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee
5:40 pm NETWORKING RECEPTION
DAY TWO – November 9
8:30 am WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS
Malcolm Brodie, Conference Host, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee
The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment & Climate Change Strategy of British Columbia – video welcome
8:35 am KEYNOTE – Dr. Stephen Lucas, Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada
PLASTICS INNOVATION FORUM
Plastics are remarkably convenient, inexpensive and useful. But their durability means plastic debris is everywhere. It is choking our oceans and its animals, and potentially moving toxins up the food chain. It represents a growing loss of economic value and source of avoidable greenhouse gases. Canada and the EU’s Oceans Plastic Charter, NGO efforts and innovative businesses are aiming at circular solutions to keep plastics in the economy and out of nature.
9:15 am A GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Chelsea Rochman, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Global Panel
Sonja Wegge, Project Manager for the New Plastics Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Matthew Fraser, Senior Project Manager, Cities Programme, Circle Economy
Daniella Russo, CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plasticâ„¢
Moderator: Christina Seidel, Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group, National Zero Waste Council
10:30 am BREAK
10:45 am ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHANGE – CANADIAN INNOVATION SHOWCASE
Global plastic pollution poses a multi-dimensional challenge to humanity, often compared to climate change in terms of impact, breadth, and complexity. A challenge of this magnitude will often inspire a surge in searches for solutions. In order to accelerate the search for solutions, Canada’s National Zero Waste Council and Think Beyond Plasticâ„¢ are collaborating to produce this showcase featuring Canadian Innovations that are consistent with resource-efficient, lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy outlined in the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter.
Daniella Russo, CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plasticâ„¢
Jim Downham, President and CEO, Packaging Consortium (PAC) & Vice Chair, National Zero Waste Council
11:15 am A PATH FORWARD FOR CANADA: CIRCULAR ECONOMY LEADERSHIP COALITION
The Circular Economy Leadership Coalition is a national alliance of Canadian leaders working together to eliminate waste and accelerate the reductions of carbon emissions from the Canadian economy through the advancement of a circular economy. Hear from CELC members about what’s in store, and provide your thoughts and ideas on a circular economy path forward for Canada.
Presentation
Malcolm Brodie, Chair, National Zero Waste Council
Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada
Speakers
David Hughes, President and CEO, The Natural Step Canada
Stephanie Cairns, Director, Cities & Communities, Smart Prosperity Institute
Kevin Groh, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Loblaw
Bob Walker, Head of ESG Services, NEI Investments
Moderator: Nancy Wright, Chief Operating Officer, Globe Series
12:15 pm CLOSING LUNCH & CONFERENCE REFLECTIONS
Mari Panstar, Director of Carbon-Neutral Economy at SITRA
Iain Gulland, CEO, Zero Waste Scotland
Wayne Visser, Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School
Leyla Acaroglu, Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool
Henk Snoeken, Consul General of the Netherlands in Vancouver
Moderator: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council
1:15 pm CLOSING REMARKS
Malcolm Brodie, Conference Host, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee
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