SWRC Update: 2019 Waste ReForum

SWRC Update: 2019 Waste ReForum

We had one heck of a Home Grown party at our annual ReForum conference. In case you missed it, here’s what we did.

Our theme of Home Grown focused on solving local problems with local solutions. Our tours featured the Remai art gallery, and local solutions providers Lafarge Aggregate and Loraas’ composting operations. 

A few big thinkers took a pre-conference Design Thinking workshop, and learned how to create home grown solutions to problems using the design thinking framework. Participants even hit the streets to get feedback from the public on their ideas.

Our opening keynote, Dr. Neil Seldman from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, shared his experience working in the waste and recycling industry in the US. Great discussion was had on the differences between extended producer responsibility in the States vs Canada.

We brought back the popular Lightning Talks session from last year. 15 presenters had 5 minutes each to present a home-grown solution to a common waste problem. Our guests shared successes with everything from eliminating restaurant waste, to the sharing economy, to tiny homes. Our concurrent sessions featured great speakers and it was hard to pick which session to attend.

Our closing keynote, Dr. Jaqueline Ottmann from the University of Saskatchewan shared with us Indigenous perspectives on sustainability. We highly recommend watching the videos included in Jacqueline’s presentation, available on our website. 

Our social events were fantastic as usual. The Denim and Diamonds opening reception was a sparkly hit. Our annual awards ceremony Thursday evening featured winners in seven categories taking home a “home grown” award made from reclaimed cypress wood and laser etched at the Saskatoon Makerspace. SWRC awards hosts Sean Homenick and Sherry Praski were highly entertaining, as always.

Dolly and Kenny

The ReForum is the highlight of our year, and we were thrilled to bring everyone together for learning, discussions and great connections. Next year you can join us in Regina at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, April 1-3.