Contact apra

Alberta Plastics Recycling Association

Before you Contact APRA

If you have commercial volumes of plastic that you are looking to recycle we may be able to help. Please review the following questions before contacting us or send these details by email so we can be of more assistance.

  1. Check your plastics for information. Are there any identification codes (#1 through #7) or indication of type of plastic, i.e. Code #, HDPE or PVC or other? Do you have more than one type of plastic or other materials combined? Note any information you find.
  2. How and how often do you receive these plastics? Is your plastics waste a “one-time” occurrence (how much do you have now) or do you receive these types of materials regularly (how much do you generate in a month or a year)? If you don’t have weights or volumes try to quantify this by the amount you receive, i.e. one roll-off bin, a few semi-truck loads etc. Where are the materials located?
  3. Are you able to take photos of the plastics? If you can, please email these photos and make sure to include an item in relation to the objects to provide perspective on size. As an example, park a vehicle or have an employee stand beside the plastics.

We welcome your inquiries!

Mailing Address

Alberta Plastics Recycling Association
Airways R.P.O.
PO Box 56092
Calgary, AB T2E 8K5

Toll Free phone number: 1-855-939-2386
Email: info@albertaplasticsrecycling.com

Executive Director
Email: ExecDirector@albertaplasticsrecycling.com

Board of Directors

Wendy Wright

Wendy Wright

NOVA

President
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I have worked for NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Alberta’s largest resin producer, for over 20 years in a variety of leadership roles. In my current role as Strategic Ventures Manager- Circular Solutions, I focus on leading Circular Economy initiatives across NOVA. This work recognizes the value in post-use plastics and works to extend the lifecycle of plastics products and packaging through innovative practices and initiatives. This includes mechanical and advanced (chemical) recycling.

During my tenure at NOVA, I have worked in multiple areas of the company including Finance, Operations, Commercial and Sustainability. I previously served on the Board of Directors of the Joffre Cogen Joint Venture for over 10 years, representing NOVA in overseeing the operations of Canada’s largest cogeneration power plant.

My education includes Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Calgary. I am also a Chartered Accountant and a Project Management Professional.

I joined the APRA Board in August 2021 and became President in January 2022. Under my leadership along with my fellow Board members, APRA has increased its membership, completed multiple submissions to Government on plastics recycling policies, created strong relationships with the Alberta Government as well as other national trade associations and successfully hosted multiple industry networking events along with the highly successful first annual Alberta Circular Plastics Day. I look forward to continuing my work with APRA to help APRA and its members to continue to thrive and grow as together we advance the circular economy in Alberta.

Courtenay Boyda

Courtenay Boyda

Dow

Vice President
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As Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S) Regional Delivery Manager, Courtenay has responsibility for several key environmental regulatory portfolios for Dow Chemical Canada ULC’s (Dow’s) Alberta Operations and multiple sustainability initiatives advancing Dow’s ambitious Sustainability Goals right here in Alberta. Courtenay utilizes her strengths as a relationship builder to develop strong well-established relationships with provincial and federal environmental regulatory agencies, as well as a broad network of industry, vendor, community, and stakeholder relationships. As a sustainability leader in the province of Alberta, Courtenay plays a critical role supporting Dow’s existing assets, while also supporting Dow’s proposed Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero expansion project, which will create the world’s first net-zero carbon emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives site with respect to scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions.

Courtenay joined Dow in 2007, where she spent the first eight years of her career in various manufacturing roles supporting production, projects, and major turnarounds. She joined EHS&S in 2015. Prior to working at Dow, Courtenay brings a broad range of international work experience in a variety of areas, such as Human Resources, Non-profits, and Consulting. Courtenay holds a Bachelors of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering and is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) in the province of Alberta. Courtenay is an active volunteer both at Dow and in her community, with a focus on sustainability and environmental programs, as well as inclusion, diversity & equity (ID&E) initiatives. She is currently undergoing BoardSource Certification.

Dow has been a member of APRA since the beginning, and Courtenay is proud to have served on the Board of Directors and the Executive of APRA since April 2022. During this short time, Courtenay has taken an active role in APRA’s operations serving on the Executive as Vice-President, acting as Executive Lead for the Communications committee, promoting APRA in government and academia, and co-leading negotiations for new program implementation at APRA. Courtenay states, “APRA has worked to create such influential change in the province of Alberta in the past year, and I am happy to be a part of the execution of this strategy. It would be an honour and a privilege to continue to advance the Plastics Circular Economy in Alberta with another term on the Board of Directors.” Courtenay is based in the Greater Edmonton area.

Kevin Kernaghan

Kevin Kernaghan

Polycycle Environmental

Treasurer
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Kevin is the President of PolyCycle Environmental Inc., an innovative processing company that supports a circular economy and aims to collect plastics in all stages of their lifecycle to improve capture and recycling rates. Kevin has extensive knowledge in the plastics industry with more than 30 years of direct work experience. After attending Mount Royal University, Kevin was employed with several different plastic manufacturing companies with escalating responsibilities and oversight, covering the following applications: laminating, blown film, blow molding, injection molding, and compounding. This varied experience has provided Kevin with extensive knowledge and insights that make him a valuable member of the APRA Board and Executive Team.
Kevin has been an active APRA board member for 15 years, with 5 years on the Executive. In his current dual role as Secretary/Treasurer, Kevin is an important member of APRA’s Executive Team. As Treasurer he has responsibility for the oversight of APRA’s financial affairs. In that role he has made significant strides in ensuring APRA’s finances are well managed and supported by appropriate oversight and controls. Kevin also played an integral role in developing APRA’s new strategic direction and implementation plan in 2022. He represents APRA’s Executive leadership in the newly formed Membership Working Group and has been instrumental in the redesign of membership categories as well as the addition of new members. Kevin is an active participant in APRA and welcomes the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board.
Darryl Wolski

Darryl Wolski

Merlin Plastics

Secretary
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Darryl is the Purchasing Manager for Merlin Plastics and has been with the company
for 8 years. Merlin Plastics is a recycler and processor of post-consumer and post-industrial plastic container packaging. Its high value, quality recycled plastic products are being integrated into various commercial and industrial industries as an alternative to virgin resin for manufacturers to produce similar or alternative consumer goods. Merlin Plastics continuously work with brand owners, retailers, and industry associations to improve packaging design for recyclability as well as develop alternatives for ongoing sustainable solutions. In lieu of ‘cradle-to-grave’ end-of-life cycle for plastic products, our objective is for a seamless, continuous Circular Economy.

For the past 8 years Darryl has sat as a Director on the Alberta Plastic Recycling Association (APRA). As well, he serves on the Agricultural Plastic Recycling Group (APRG) and was elected to the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) for 15 years and served as president for 2 of those years. He was an elected Board Member for the Beverage Container Management Board (BCMB) for 3 years and has worked with a wide variety of local, provincial, and national boards.

Davin Johnson

Gabriel Hennessey

Hood Packaging Corporation

Director
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I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer and always worked in manufacturing. I started my journey in the plastics world in 2013 when I started working for Hood Packaging, a world-class packaging supplier, as the Operations Manager at their Calgary Plastics facility; I took the General Manager role about three years ago. Over the years, I participated in various programs and associations (APRA, OCS, CPIA, WPA, PCR, etc.) to stay informed on how space was evolving and to share the views from a manufacturer’s point of view. I want to join APRA’s Board of Directors to continue to do this at a higher level and help define and share the correct narrative for the plastics producers/users in Alberta.

Davin Johnson

Davin Johnson

Cleanfarms

Director
Stephanie Kristensen

Stephanie Hamblin

Inter Pipeline

Director
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I am a regulatory, environment and sustainability leader with over 16 years of experience working on energy, manufacturing and infrastructure projects in Canada. I am currently the Regulatory Compliance Officer with Inter Pipeline (IPL). I have an MBA in Finance and an MSc in Geography specializing in water management and environmental site assessment.

As a senior leader with a unique background in environmental science and finance, as well as a variety of different board experiences, I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving the APRA community as an engaged board member.
Professional Experience
Within my scope of accountabilities as the Regulatory Compliance Officer at IPL is the overall compliance of regulatory and environmental related activities associated with all of our assets. Additionally, I work closely with our corporate team to support initiatives in ESG, Indigenous Affairs and government relations. I have been with Inter Pipeline for nearly 6 years, and have excellent and well respected relationships with my colleagues across all business units and at all levels of the organization. In my time with IPL I have been in the roles Manager, ESG Integration and Regulatory Specialist.

Since 2021, I have also worked as a sessional instructor with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, where I developed and teach a Sustainable Finance course. I typically teach this course once per year.

Prior to working at IPL, I worked in environmental and regulatory consulting for 8 years, where I worked on a multitude of projects, including oil and gas exploration, midstream processing and transportation, downstream processing and manufacturing, renewable energy projects, as well as other infrastructure projects such as electrical utility, road ways and more.
I began my career in research in academia, specializing and water and soil science, and worked on data collection and analysis, presenting and publishing research across various mediums.

Board Experience
I have been engaged in various boards over the last ten years. I currently represent IPL in the following capacities:
1. Director, Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (March 2022 – Present)
2. Director, Industrial Power Consumers Association of Alberta (March 2022 – Present)
3. Director and President, Milk River Pipeline Ltd – (September 2022 – Present)
Additionally I have also worked in a volunteer capacity for the following boards:
1. Director, Alexandra Centre Society (November 2020 – September 2023)
2. Director, Alberta

Stephanie Kristensen

Jerry Bechtold

Enviro Container and Recycling

Director
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Jerry Bechtold is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in various executive positions across Electronic Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Manufacturing, and Industrial Manufacturing. Currently serving as the President and CEO of Industrial Container Recycling and Reconditioning, I am a passionate advocate for innovative approaches that promote Circular Economy solutions and contribute to a better environment. Born and raised in Alberta, with a residence in Calgary, rural Alberta, and Leduc Alberta.

Experience:
President and CEO – Industrial Container Recycling and Reconditioning (Current)

• Leading the organization in recycling and reconditioning industrial containers, with a focus on sustainable practices and Circular Economy solutions.

Core Competencies:
• Circular Economy Expertise: Pioneering innovative approaches to promote Circular Economy solutions, driving sustainable practices within the industries I’ve served.
• Environmental Impact: Motivated by a genuine desire to improve the environment and contribute to a better world through sustainable and responsible business practices.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead organizations, make informed strategic decisions, and drive teams towards achieving common goals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A serial entrepreneur, always seeking better solutions and opportunities to enhance operations and positively impact the industry and society at large.

Recycling efforts should be a collaborative approach, through win win solutions we can build a network of companies and individuals whom recycle plastics with a creative solutions to making a positive impact and reduce the environmental impact and reduce the waste to landfill.

Dan Zembal

Dan Zembal

Alberta Waste and Recycling

Director
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Dan Zembal has over 25 years of management and leadership experience in waste management and recycling. He is an active environmental champion and has served on numerous boards, committees and organizations that promote and facilitate environmentally sustainable solutions. Dan is the founder and owner of Alberta Waste and Recycling, a Calgary-based company focusing on providing innovative, cost-effective construction waste and recycling solutions and facilities in southern and central Alberta. He is also co-founder/co-owner of PolyAg Recycling, a recycling company that processes agricultural plastic waste in Alberta and Saskatchewan into PCR pellets. Dan has a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria and has won numerous awards for academic excellence.

Dan has played a key role in the development of recycling programs, services and policies for the Construction and Demolition industry in Alberta. As an innovator, his company Alberta Waste and Recycling, was one of the first recycling businesses in Alberta to successfully recycle asphalt shingles and drywall. Dan was recognized by the construction industry as one of its “Movers and Shakers”. His company received the Recycling Council of Alberta’s 2011 Rs of Excellence award for Leadership in C&D Recycling.

You got to be passionate about what you do.