CEP Calgary x January: Ocean Plastic - A Panel Discussion

Ocean Plastics - A Panel Discussion

With a subject matter so wide - from supply chain and consumption to waste management and water treatment, the ocean plastic crisis is a topic regularly featured on the news. Scientists are finding micro-plastics in our tap water, the flesh of fish, filling stomachs of ocean-going birds and whales...coming from the 8 million tonnes of plastic going into our oceans every year.

As a non-coastal city but being at the top of a watershed, how are Calgarians responsible for their part in the bigger picture of the ocean plastics crisis? How does it really affect us, what is the real deal with plastics recycling, and what can we do?

Our featured panel of speakers are from Plastic-Free YYC, The City of Calgary and Alberta Plastics Recycling Association. Learn a little more about them each below!

Briana Loughlin - Co-Founder & Director of Inspiration & Change, Plastic-Free YYC

Briana is an enthusiastic environmentalist hoping to spark a change for healthier planet. Through positive, encouraging words and imagery, she hopes to promote plastic-free living within every individual.

Isabelle Couture - Co-Founder & Director of Engagement & Collaboration, Plastic-Free YYC

Isabelle brings a delightful charm to our team and a wealth of knowledge in the world of Zero-Waste. Her passion to reduce waste is unparalleled and infectious. She is dedicated to developing, supporting, and enhancing our partnerships in our community.

Rick Robinson, PHd. - Team Lead, Environmental Compliance, City of Calgary - Water Resources

*bio coming soon!*

Tammy Schwass - Executive Director, Alberta Plastics Recycling Association

Tammy Schwass is the executive director of the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA). She has worked with clients in the recycling field for the past eight years and is a professional communicator with over ten years’ experience in a variety of industries. She offers the expertise to build strategies for the development of programs to increase plastics capture and recycling. She facilitates partnerships to support and connect member organizations.

In her presentation to the group Connecting Environmental Professionals, Tammy will provide a general overview about plastics recycling in Alberta, as well as some successes and challenges with the end of life management of plastics in the province and the need for more sustainable practices. The goal of the presentation is to provide more information about the recycling system, sustainability and explain how attendees can make a difference with their own recycling habits.

About APRA: Celebrating its 27th year, APRA is an Alberta not-for-profit industry association that has been dedicated to sustainable plastics recycling and minimizing plastic waste in the landfill since 1991. APRA facilitates the development of sustainable programs to effectively manage plastics waste and acts as a resource to interest groups including individuals, governments and companies. The Association is committed to the hierarchy of the 4Rs – Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, and Recover. Its membership consists of polymer resin manufacturers, plastic product manufacturers as well as those involved in plastics capture, processing and recycling. www.albertaplasticsrecycling.com