For over 30 years, the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, diverting millions of tires, litres of oil, and other materials from landfills. Joining us in this episode is Ed Gugenheimer, CEO of ARMA, to discuss the province's leadership in recycling, the evolution of ARMA's programs, and what the future holds for Alberta’s circular economy.

Key Topics

• 01:00 - The origins of ARMA and Alberta's early leadership in recycling
• 12:06 - Milestones in environmental impact
• 15:33 - Innovations in recycling, such as renewable energy components and AI-powered sorting systems
• 22:58 - Alberta’s ongoing role as a national leader in sustainable waste management

Guest

Ed Gugenheimer

Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Recycling Management Authority

Resources Mentioned

• Learn more about ARMA and its programs: albertarecycling.ca

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, TD Friends of the Environment, and City of Calgary

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta Emerald Foundation. As a non-partisan organization, we are committed to presenting diverse perspectives on environmental issues.

Indigenous people are the original stewards of the land and have an important role to play in our collective response and action to a changing climate. In this episode we’re diving into the importance of reciprocity, the role of Indigenous knowledge in modern stewardship, and the significance of empowering Indigenous youth to lead future environmental initiatives.

Key Topics

• 01:24 - Indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship and climate action
• 04:16 - Alberta-based examples of indigenous-led environmental stewardship
• 08:06 - The role of community in successful environmental initiatives
• 11:37 - Strategies for building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities
• 16:18 - Empowering Indigenous youth to become leaders in environmental stewardship

Mackenzie Brown

Mackenzie is an Indigenous singer, drummer, storyteller, knowledge seeker, songwriter, artist, and Cree cultural ambassador. Mackenzie is also First Nations Cree from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, though she currently live in Mohkinstsis, Calgary.

Books:

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Mother Earth Plants for Health & Beauty: Indigenous Plants, Traditions, and Recipes by Carrie Armstrong

Podcasts:

• Unreserved (CBC)
• The Secret Life of Canada (CBC)

Organizations:

• Future Ancestors
• Indigenous Youth Roots
• We Matter

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, TD Friends of the Environment, and City of Calgary

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by...

Alberta is facing a growing challenge with over 170,000 abandoned oil wells across the province, creating environmental risks and economic burdens for rural communities. RenuWell Energy Solutions is addressing this issue by converting these orphan well sites into community solar projects that generate clean energy and support rural communities. Keith Hirsche, founder of RenuWell, joins host Bri to explain how this innovative approach works, the positive impacts on Albertan communities, and what it means for Alberta’s renewable energy future.

Key Topics:

• Understanding orphan wells (01:33) and their environmental and economic impact (05:31)
• RenuWell’s journey to repurpose orphan wells for solar energy (07:58)
• Social, economic, and environmental benefits of the RenuWell Project (18:00)
• The path forward (21:00)

Guest:

Keith Hirsche, Founder of RenuWell Energy Solutions

Resources Mentioned:

• 170,000 abandoned oil wells in the province
• Environmental risks of orphan wells
• Estimated cost to clean up Alberta’s orphan wells
• Orphan Well Association
• Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
• St. Mary River Irrigation District
• RenuWell Energy Solutions

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, TD Friends of the Environment, and City of Calgary

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta Emerald Foundation. As a non-partisan organization, we are committed to presenting diverse perspectives on environmental issues.

Alberta’s first industrial-scale waste-to-energy facility with carbon capture integration is set to open in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland in 2027. This innovative project will divert over 150,000 tonnes of Edmonton’s residential waste from landfills each year while capturing carbon emissions and generating alternative energy. Rory Wheat, Vice President of Development at Varme Energy, explains how this innovative technology works and its long-term social, environmental, and economic impacts on Edmonton and Alberta.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Varme Energy and its mission (01:08)
• How waste-to-energy technology works (02:33)
• The environmental benefits of waste-to-energy with integrated carbon capture (05:38)
• Details of the Alberta Industrial Heartland project and partnership with the City of Edmonton (07:22)
• Long-term impact on waste management, energy production, and job creation in Alberta (13:19)
• The role of waste-to-energy in Alberta’s transition to a low-carbon future

Guest:

Rory Wheat - Vice President of Development at Varme Energy

Resources Mentioned:

• Varme Energy website
• Industrial Heartland Project

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, TD Friends of the Environment, and City of Calgary

As our landscapes have changed over the years, coyotes have adapted to thrive in urban environments, creating unique challenges and opportunities for coexistence. In this episode, Dr. Colleen Cassady St. Clair unpacks why coyotes are so prevalent in our cities, discusses the challenges of living alongside them, and shares strategies for avoiding conflicts and interactions with these adaptable creatures.

Key Topics:

• The evolution of Alberta’s landscapes and its impact on wildlife
• The adaptability of coyotes in urban settings
• Common challenges arising from human-coyote interactions
• Effective strategies and management techniques for reducing conflicts with coyotes
• The role of public education in promoting coexistence

Guest:

Dr. Colleen Cassady St. Clair, Biological Sciences Professor at the University of Alberta

Resources Mentioned:

• 87.7% of Albertans reside in ‘Urban Municipalities’, including cities, towns, villages, summer villages, and specialized municipalities
• Calgary and Edmonton’s changing landscapes
• The negative effects of land use changes on wildlife
• Edmonton Urban Coyote Project website
• The Urban Wildlife Information Network
• How to avoid and prevent conflict with coyotes

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, and City of Calgary.

Episode Summary:

Explore the environmental impact of demolition waste and how one Alberta-based company is tackling this issue by reclaiming valuable wood from buildings before they get demolished. Jay Sanderson, founder of Backroads Reclamation, shares he’s repurposing old-growth wood, reducing waste, and honoring Alberta’s architectural heritage. Discover the unique benefits of reclaimed wood and how it plays a vital role in sustainable development.

Key Topics:

• The environmental impact of demolition waste
• The difference between old-growth reclaimed wood and new timber
• The process and challenges of reclaiming wood from demolished structures
• The historical and environmental value of preserving Alberta’s architectural heritage
• The future of the reclaimed wood industry in Alberta

Guest:

Jay Sanderson, Founder and Owner of Backroads Reclamation

Resources Mentioned:

• Backroads Reclamation’s Website
• Environment and Climate Change Canada's National Waste Characterization Report

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• Twitter: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, and City of Calgary.

In this episode of What On EARTH Can We Do?, host Bri chats with Pam Goertzen, Executive Director of the Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA), about the critical role of sustainable building practices in Alberta's path to a low-carbon future. With Alberta’s rapid population growth fueling demand for new buildings, Pam discusses how the construction industry can innovate to meet the challenge of building fast, affordable, and low-carbon homes without compromising sustainability. They also explore the economics of green building, the importance of operational efficiency, and the potential for groundbreaking materials like recycled plastic to reshape the way we build.

Join us for an insightful discussion on how Alberta can lead the way in building sustainable, resilient communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Topics:

• Alberta's population growth and the demand for new buildings
• The environmental impact of the building sector and green building initiatives
• Challenges and opportunities in sustainable building practices
• Economic considerations for developers and homeowners
• Innovative materials and design strategies to reduce carbon emissions
• The long-term benefits of energy-efficient homes for both the environment and occupants

Guest:

• Pam Goertzen – Executive Director of the Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA)

Resources Mentioned:

• Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA)
• Canada Green Building Council
• Ecoplast Solutions

• Alberta's population growth
• Canada's population growth
• Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings

The What On EARTH Can We Do Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation, a registered charity with the unique mission of accelerating environmental excellence by identifying and celebrating Alberta’s visionary leaders and by sharing best practices through the power of compelling educational narratives.

Want to help keep this podcast going? Consider donating! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Us:

• Website: Emerald Foundation
• LinkedIn: @AlbertaEmerald
• Instagram: @AlbertaEmerald
• Facebook: @AlbertaEmerald

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors who make this podcast possible: Capital Power, Government of Alberta, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta, Pathways Alliance, City of Edmonton, and City of Calgary.

Join Bri as she explores the innovative Calgary Willow Plantation project with Catalina Nadeau-Bonilla, shedding light on the fascinating intersection of wastewater treatment, biosolids utilization, and environmental sustainability. The conversation delves into the details of the project, its impact on marginal lands, and the myriad benefits it brings to the city of Calgary.

Learn more about The City of Calgary’s Willow Plantation: https://www.calgary.ca/water/programs/biosolids-demonstration-projects.html

The What On EARTH Can We Do? Podcast is a program of the Alberta Emerald Foundation (AEF), a registered charity that showcases, inspires, and empowers Alberta’s environmental achievements. To learn more about the AEF, visit our website, https://emeraldfoundation.ca/, or follow us on social media @albertaemerald

A big thank you to our supporters and sponsors:

Capital Power

Syncrude

Government of Alberta

City of Edmonton

Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation

Want to help keep this podcast going? Donate today! https://emeraldfoundation.ca/donate/