Waste ReForum 2025

Step back in time to the Prohibition era and imagine a future where waste is outlawed, and a thriving circular economy takes centre stage. The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s annual conference invites you to explore innovative strategies, policies, and practices that keep resources in play and waste out of the equation. Join us as we come together to banish waste and usher in a sustainable, resourceful tomorrow. Let’s make waste a thing of the past—cheers to circular solutions!
Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council Annual Conference
May 28 - 30, 2025
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Regina -- Hotel link for conference
Program:
Wednesday, May 28
Afternoon activities (choice of):
- tour of City of Regina Waste Management Centre Education Room and Crown Shred & Recycling Material Recovery Facility
- tour of Loblaw Distribution Centre and K-Light Recycling
- workshop -- Smart Fridges, AI Assistants, and Self-Driving Cars: It’s Not the Jetsons—It’s Just Tuesday -- Jeph Maystruck, Strategy Labs
In a world where smart fridges, self-driving cars, and AI assistants have become everyday realities, the way we think about and use technology needs a shift. This session will explore how technology, not just AI, has evolved to touch every aspect of our lives—from how we work to how we communicate. We’ll dive into 20 surprising examples of this evolution and provide practical, hands-on tips to help you harness these advancements in your personal and professional life. By the end, you’ll walk away with a new mindset on how to approach technology—not as something to fear but as a tool to thrive in the rapidly changing Roaring 2020s.
Wednesday evening -- Speakeasy at Crave
What's a Roaring Twenties event without a Speakeasy? We're sneaking across the street from the conference hotel to the Crave Kitchen & Bar. Join us for apetizers and formerly prohibited beverages and reconnect with colleagues and friends. Come decked out in 1920s fashions and don't forget the secret password!
Thursday May 29
Opening Keynote: Roaring into the 2020s: Coming Full Circle -- Christina Seidel, sonnavera corp
Christina holds a PhD in Engineering Management and has an extensive background in Circular Economy and waste reduction. She operates sonnevera international corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and was the Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta for over 30 years, where she was very involved in the waste management policy development arena and led Circular Economy and EPR advocacy efforts. She was a member of the National Zero Waste Council and the Canada Plastics Pact, and chaired the Canadian Standards Association Plastics Recycling: Definitions, Reporting and Measuring technical committee.
Opening Keynote sponsored by SK Recycles
Concurrent Sessions:
Prohibition: Lessons Learned from Landfill Bans - sponsored by Tire Stewardship Saskatchewan
Knowing your Onions: Creative Strategies to Prevent Food Waste - sponsored by Affinity Credit Union
SWRC Annual General Meeting
Concurrent Sessions:
On the Level: indigenous led initiatives - sponsored by Tetra Tech
Get a Wiggle on: Municipal Developments
Concurrent Sessions:
What's the Rumble? Advances in Plastics - sponsored by Emterra
Hitting the Hay: Options for Diverting Mattresses
Puttin' on the Ritz: Reception & Banquet - sponsored by Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corp
Friday May 30
Closing Keynote: TBA
Hitting on all Six: Effective Education/Marketing Campaigns (Lightning Talks)
This quick-paced session will include eight speakers, each with five minutes and ten slides to highlight their most successful education or marketing campaigns. Presenters will tell the stories of their most effective, innovative campaigns and outline the problem or behaviour they were trying to change, the approach they used, the finished product and the feedback they received.