In 2020, the Zero Waste Conference will celebrate its 10th anniversary and Canada will host the World Circular Economy Forum. Even though Canada’s unique circular solutions are already making a global impact, we still have a long way to go. The final sessions of the 2019 Zero Waste Conference will examine the vision and leadership it’ll take to scale the Circular Economy to the national level.
Circular Economy Key to Climate Change Response
The Circular Economy should be top of mind for any government or business serious about sustainability and climate change. As the latest research from The Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows – 45% of total greenhouse gas emissions on Earth are directly attributable to the ways we produce, use, and dispose of products.
The Linear Economy and its Take-Make-Waste mindset, simply needs to go. The Circular Economy addresses the shortcomings of the current system, while creating new opportunities for businesses and society.
With this year’s conference theme, A Future without Waste – Mobilizing for Success in the Circular Economy, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools required to make the most of the economic shift already underway, and connect you with the people who are making it happen.
Lessons from Finland
Circular Economy principles are at the core of Finnish economic policy, because their government recognizes that both the competitiveness of their economy and the well-being of their people can no longer be based on unbridled use of natural resources.
SITRA, the Finnish innovation fund, is a driving force behind Finland’s circular economy leadership at home and abroad. SITRA’s Roadmap for Finland focuses on five interlinked focus areas: 1) the food system, 2) the forestry industry, 3) material use, 4) transport & logistics, and 5) actions for systemic change. In 2019, Roadmap 2.0 was released, aiming for even higher ambitions and updating objectives and actions.
#ZWC19 is pleased to welcome Kari Herlevi, Project Director for Circular Economy at SITRA, who was one of the lead authors of the Circular Economy Roadmap. We look forward to hearing his reflections on Finland’s journey, and the leadership and success factors critical to circular economy transitions.
Have Your Say in the Interactive Panel
Following SITRA’s presentation, an interactive closing session will bring together a diverse range of perspectives from Canadian leaders, as well as audience input, to assess where we’ve made inroads and how best to capitalize on the opportunity to accelerate Canada’s transition to a Circular Economy.
Stephanie Cairns, Director of Cities and Communities & Policy Director of Circular Economy, Smart Prosperity Institute
​Cairns has worked on Canadian environment, economy, and fiscal policy research initiatives for 25 years, and is now works with Smart Prosperity Institute, Canada’s leading source of research and policy insights for a stronger, cleaner economy.
Robyn Collver, Senior Vice-President, Risk & Regulatory Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, Canadian Tire
At Canadian Tire, Collver’s role includes developing the enterprise risk function, creating the company’s positions on regulatory policy, overseeing the regulated aspects of the business, and corporate citizenship, including environmental sustainability.
John Coyne, VP, External Affairs & Sustainability, Unilever Canada & Executive Chair of the Board, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance
Well known for his leadership in corporate sustainability, Coyne is a passionate activator of business and non-profit actions to reduce environmental footprints while increasing its positive contributions to society. Among his many roles, he is the Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition and has served as Chair of the Board for Recycle BC.
Sophie Langlois-Blouin, Vice-President of Operations, RECYC-QUÉBEC
RECYC-QUEBEC oversees the extended producer responsibility program for Quebec. Their work is concerned with curbside collection, organics, construction, renovation, and demolition waste, circular economy and waste reduction.
Mikhael Metauro, National Business Development and Sales Strategist, Cascades Recovery+
Cascades Recovery+ is a subsidiary of Cascades Canada ULC, a Québec-based paper products company that produces, markets and recycles packaging and tissue products, with a focus on sustainable packaging, hygiene and closed-loop recovery solutions.
Christina Seidel, Co-Chair, National Zero Waste Council Circular Economy Working Group, and Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta
The Recycling Council of Alberta is non-profit organization that’s been the primary voice for waste reduction in the province since 1987. It is dedicated to achieving zero waste in the province through strategies that focus on reduction, reuse, recycling and resource conservation.
Mike Wilson, Executive Director, Smart Prosperity Institute
Wilson leads a dynamic team at the Smart Prosperity Institute, Canada’s leading green economy research institute and think tank, producing cutting-edge research, policy advice and communications strategies for clean economic growth across the Canadian economy.
#ZWC19 Is Your Guide to the Circular Economy
Whether you’re totally new to the concept or an industry veteran, the Zero Waste Conference, in collaboration with the National Zero Waste Council, strikes a balance between theory and action. The conference is your guide to the people, ideas and actions that are having the biggest impact.
2019 Zero Waste Conference:
Mobilizing for Success in the Circular Economy
October 30 – 31, 2019
Vancouver Convention Centre (999 Canada Place)
Keynotes Speakers:
Tom Szaky
Arthur Huang
Harald Friedl
Valerie Craig
