Reusable products, like bags, mugs and containers, are valuable assets in waste prevention and circular economy strategies. As businesses move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, these products can replace wasteful single use items. At this webinar, we heard perspectives from public health researchers and retail and food manufacturing representatives on the opportunities to reintroduce and accelerate the use of reusables in retail settings.
The webinar unpacked the recently released report,
Opportunities for Reusables in Retail Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada*, analyzing this topic with the report's researchers from the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. The National Zero Waste Council provided funding towards this research which provides a science-based understanding of the potential risks of virus transmission though reusables.
DATE: June 24th, 2021, 10:00 am – 11:30 am PST / 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm EST
PANELLISTS:
Pete Fry, Councillor, City of Vancouver; and Management Board member, National Zero Waste Council (moderator)
Pete Fry has served as a Vancouver City Councillor since 2018 and is a director with the Union of BC Municipalities and Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee. He is a graphic designer by trade, with a professional background in community development, advocacy and communications, and a deep concern for environmental issues
Nicole Fischer, Head of Sustainability, Heinz Kraft
Nicole Fischer is Head of Sustainability for Kraft Heinz Canada, leading the development and execution of its Sustainability strategy and working to embed Sustainability across the organization. Before that, she was the Brand Build and Innovation Director for Coffee and Cheese, working on beloved Canadian brands like Philadelphia Cream Cheese and Maxwell House Coffee. Before joining Kraft Heinz Canada, Nicole worked for Unilever for 14 years in Canada, the US and the UK in marketing and sales roles across Food and Personal Care categories. She is also the proud mother to three little ones (2, 6 and 9) and graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (where she met her husband!).
Susan J Bondy, PhD, Professor, Division of Epidemiology, DLSPH, University of Toronto
Susan Bondy is an epidemiologist and Associate Professor at University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She has been teaching epidemiologic methods to research trainees as well as public health students and adult learners for over 25 years. Her research interests are broad and include surveillance, health services and public health staff competencies. Much of her research has focused on mental health and addictions.
Matt Livingston, Sustainability and Stewardship Specialist, Nature’s Path Foods
Matt Livingston is the Sustainability and Stewardship Specialist for Nature’s Path Foods, where he’s responsible for leading the company’s sustainability strategies. Matt formerly worked as Director of Sustainability at SPUD.ca where his team launched several industry-first and award-winning waste reduction programs. Matt spent his early career in the skateboard industry working as impact manager for B Corp Certified Comet Skateboards where he still serves as an advisor. Matt is also on the management board for the National Zero Waste Council of Canada and a board member for Vancouver based Food Stash foundation which rescues surplus food from grocery stores and redistributes it to families in need. Matt is passionate about all things involving food systems and is determined to make a difference in all his work. In his spare time, you can either find Matt at the skatepark or on a really long bike ride somewhere in the back country.
Raman Johal, Sustainability Specialist, London Drugs
Raman is the Sustainability Specialist at London Drugs. Born and raised in London, England, he moved to Vancouver in 2009. He graduated from the Sauder School of Business at UBC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a concentration in Sustainability. He also worked for the Sustainability and Ethics group at Sauder as a research assistant, helping them expand their sustainability education. A firm believer in responsible business and the ability for business to be a force for good, he now works for London Drugs, managing their extensive Green Deal program. He also sits on the management board of the National Zero Waste Council, helping to advance waste minimisation programs across the country.
*The National Zero Waste Council contributed funding for this study and report. This report has been reviewed by representatives of the National Zero Waste Council but the interpretation of the results of this study, as expressed in the report, is entirely the responsibility of the authors. The findings and conclusions expressed in the report are the opinion of the authors of the study and may not necessarily be supported by the National Zero Waste Council or Metro Vancouver Regional District. Any use by a third party of the information presented in this report, or any reliance on or decisions made based on this information, is solely the responsibility of the third party.