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 has been on the APRA Board for 9 years and was successfully elected to the APRA Executive as Secretary in 2022. Since 2022, Darryl has been an integral member of the Executive and active Board Director through initiatives including, but not limited to, the following: the budget management sub-team producing a balanced budget for the past 2 years, the Alberta Circular Plastics Day (ACPD) planning committee successfully initiating APRA’s first-ever conference, the Membership Committee whose goal was to increase APRA membership, and, several in-depth reviews of the new proposed APRA By-laws. Earlier this year, APRA experienced a significant staffing transition, and Darryl, with the rest of the Executive, stepped up to the task to manage APRA’s operations for 5 months until APRA’s previous Executive Director returned.

For his day-to-day, Darryl is the Director of Sustainability for Merlin Plastics and has been with the company for 10 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 works 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. This includes our FDA HDPE and PET that is used in bottle-to-bottle recycling.  Merlin Plastics is an active member of the Canada Plastic Pact (CPP), Chemistry Industry Associations of Canada, (CIAC) and Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), and the Circularity in Action conference during the Fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa this year. Darryl has been an integral part of all of these committees and conferences, and continually works to further the Plastics Circular Economy here in Alberta. Prior to Merlin Plastics, he started his career with the City of Airdrie, in Waste and Recycling, President of the Recycling Council of Alberta and was part owner and founder of Ecycle Solutions an Electronic Recycling company. With my 28 years in the industry and various boards that I have sat upon. Darryl believes his experience and relationships will benefit the APRA board.

Darryl also sits on the Extend Producer Responsibility Program (EPR) Policy Advisory Council, and the EPR Service Provider and Community Advisory Council, for the new program being launched in Alberta. He also represents Merlin Plastics through the participation in the Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) Committee Meeting Plot for Grain Bags, Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) for the used Oil container program, and Residential plastics for Recycle BC and SK Recycles, where Merlin not only participates but actively recycles these materials.

Davin Johnson is the Alberta Program Advisor of Cleanfarms Inc., a non-profit industry stewardship organization committed to environmental responsibility through properly managing agricultural plastic packaging and product waste. He has worked with Cleanfarms since 2013 as a consultant in the unwanted pesticide and animal health medication collection program and now coordinates all of Cleanfarms’ stewardship programs in Alberta.

Davin was an APRA board member for the past two years and helped to update the association bylaws and policies, increase membership, and grow the Alberta Circular Plastics Day. He hopes to continue this work as a board member to improve and grow APRA as an organization and advance circularity across the plastics value chain.

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.

With over a decade of experience in waste management, Samir has worked with leading waste haulers and is the founder of a waste consulting firm and brokerage. He currently serves as the Waste Manager for Varme Energy, a waste-to-energy project developer, where he leads sustainable solutions for converting waste into renewable energy.

Samir’s expertise spans material management, recycling systems, and waste diversion strategies, with a strong focus on navigating the complexities of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation coming to Alberta in 2025. His experience in project development, waste logistics, and finding markets for recyclable materials equips him to contribute strategically to APRA’s goals of enhancing recycling and diversion programs across the province.