What On EARTH Can We Do?

This season, we’ve talked about rescuing surplus food, redistributing it to communities, and even turning it into clean energy. But what about the scraps, spoiled produce, bones, peels, and leftovers that can’t be saved? In this episode, Bri sits down with Brian Wonnacott, superintendent at AltRoot, a composting facility in Westlock that transforms organic waste into a valuable resource for local...

What if every community could rescue its food waste — and feed its neighbours at the same time? In Lacombe, Alberta, Echo Food Rescue is proving it’s possible. Since 2020, this volunteer-driven program has saved nearly one million pounds of food from the landfill, redirecting it to farms and families across their community. In this episode, we sit down with Christina Sturgeon, program coordinator...

Food waste isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s an economic one. In this episode, we sit down with Esther Cohn from Flash Food , a Canadian-founded tech company that rescues groceries destined for landfill and offers them to shoppers at a discount. Discover how Flash Food is making sustainable shopping simple, saving families money, helping grocers cut waste, and preventing over 150 million pou...

By transforming leftover food into low-emission energy, Eco Growth Environmental is helping businesses heat water, power equipment, and cut food waste in landfills — all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, we explore how their made-in-Alberta technology works, the impact it’s having, and where it could take us next. What’s in this episode: 03:36 - How Eco Growth Environmental...

When we talk about food waste, most of us picture what ends up in our own kitchen bins — but there’s a whole other side to the story. Across Alberta, small businesses like cafés, restaurants, and grocery stores face big challenges when it comes to keeping food out of the landfill. In this episode, Bri speaks with Maggie Bain, Project Manager of the ICI Food Waste Diversion Initiative at the Circul...

The impact of food waste goes far beyond what ends up in our green bins or landfills. It affects our climate, our wallets, and our communities from wasted water and emissions to economic loss. In part two of our conversation with Dr. Kate Parizeau, we are talking about why food waste matters and what can actually be done about it - from policy and infrastructure changes to simple actions we can al...

Food waste is everywhere, from farms to our own kitchens, but what does it actually mean, and why is it so hard to track? In the first episode of Season 7, host Bri Huot-Boer speaks with Dr. Kate Parizeau from the University of Guelph to unpack the basics: what food waste is, where it happens, and why Canada is still struggling to measure it. This conversation sets the stage for our season-long fo...

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 ec...

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 - Indigeno...

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...

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...

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 crea...

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 an...

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...

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...

In this episode of WOECWD, Bri has an eye-opening conversation with Kelly Rogers from Lloydminster-based EcoPlast Solutions about how they’re revolutionizing the construction industry by building homes from recycled plastic bottles. Join us for an inspiring discussion on the intersection of sustainability and construction, and the limitless potential for a greener, more resilient world. Learn more...

In this episode, Bri delves into the crucial work of the Caribou Patrol program with Stephanie Leonard, the environmental coordinator at the Asenuwiche Winewak Nation (AWN). Discover the inspiring efforts behind protecting and conserving the caribou population in west-central Alberta, from highway patrols to educational outreach. Explore the deep cultural significance of caribou to the AWN and the...

In this episode, we explore the world of plastic waste and how it can be saved from landfills and turned into a valuable resource. Join us as we chat with Corey Saban from ReWaste to discover their unique approach to recycling plastic and learn how they're contributing to a circular economy that's changing how we view plastic. If you've ever wondered about the future of recycling and the possibili...

In this episode, we delve into Blindman Brewing's incredible journey of pioneering carbon capture technology in the craft beer industry in Canada. Co-founders Kirk Zembal and Hans Doef unpack their six-year endeavour to reduce emissions and save money while brewing delicious beer. Learn how they're making a significant impact on sustainability and how small businesses can follow their lead. Discov...

In this episode host we sit down with Bradley Peter, Executive Director of the Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS). Together, we delve into the world of lakes, exploring how this nonprofit has been working to enhance our understanding of Alberta's lakes and their watersheds for over 30 years. We’ll dive into the specifics of their Lake Keepers Program, a citizen science initiative that empowers...

In this episode, we dig deep into the world of tire recycling and its pivotal role in building a more sustainable future. Together with Michael Lobsinger, the Vice President of Operations at EcoFlex Recycled Rubber Solutions, we explore the history of tire recycling, its evolution, and the environmental challenges posed by discarded tires. Learn more about EcoFlex: https://www.eco-flex.com/ The Wh...

In this episode, we delve into the captivating world of rewilding with Project Forest's Founder and Executive Director, Mike Toffan. Join us as we explore how Project Forest is on a mission to rewild Canada, one forest at a time. Discover their inspiring journey, their impact on biodiversity and climate resilience, and their vision for a greener, more sustainable future. Get ready to be inspired a...

Backyard, front yard, or even alleyway gardening is a great way to connect to nature, your community, and help feed your family. In this episode, Bri chats with Patty Milligan from The Edmonton Urban Farm to discover the environmental benefits of gardening and the different ways to get started! Learn more about the Edmonton Urban Farm: https://exploreedmonton.com/industry/edmonton-urban-farm Tell...

In 2021 alone, 2.5 billion beverage containers were sold in Alberta. Of that, 2.1 billion were recycled through Alberta's bottle depots. In this episode, Bri chats with Lori Koebel from ABCRC to learn what happens to our beverage containers after they're recycled and how they can help play a role in the circular economy. Learn more about ABCRC: https://www.abcrc.com/ Find a bottle depot near you:...

Over the past century, Alberta's natural spaces have changed drastically. We've converted spaces like grasslands into urban centres, wetlands into agricultural areas, and so much more. And while we need to change natural spaces to meet our society's growing needs, there's often a more sustainable way to do it. In this episode, Bri chats with Jennifer Janzen and Jana Vamosi to discuss how land use...