December Feature Member - DBS Environmental | Alberta Plastics Recycling Association

Keynote Speaker

Antoinette Smith
Resource Recycling

Chemical recycling has been touted as the solution for managing our plastics problem, though we’ve heard this before with mechanical recycling claims and still have a long way to go. Join Antoinette Smith, Reporter for Plastics Recycling Update in the US, to learn about chemical recycling; how is it progressing in other jurisdictions around the world, and what lies ahead for expansion in North America?

Antoinette Smith started working as a reporter for Resource Recycling in June 2024 after spending several years covering commodity plastics and chemical value chains. In the role, she keeps abreast of industry trends, with a special focus on analyzing data. She recently relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after living in Houston, Texas, for more than a decade, where she was immersed in the chemical industry.

Innovation – The Trailblazers in Our Industry

In this session on innovation, we’ll hear from the trailblazers working on solutions for managing and manufacturing plastics: where PCR is king and old systems are revamped for in favour of new models that will shape how the industry grows in the next decade and beyond.

National and International Updates – Putting Alberta on the Map

In this session we turn our eyes outward. With the conclusion of INC-5, organizations across Canada are working toward a better future for plastic management. We’ll hear from their perspectives on where international and national policy is headed and get ready to adapt and adjust accordingly with Alberta’s future.

Producer Updates

With the shift to EPR across Canada, producers of packaging and brand owners have been making big commitments to sustainable initiatives including design for recycling and promises for incorporation of recycled content back into new materials. They must also keep up with regulation differences across jurisdictions and changing markets pressures. In this session we will hear from brand owners and industry members on how they are setting their PCR goals, what changes of course they have made in the past few years and where they see the future of recycled content in their products.

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Inter Pipeline Ltd. have initiated a $10 million, ten-year research collaboration to advance the reuse and recycling of plastic in Canada and around the world. This Plastics Research in Action (PRIA) initiative funds innovative applied research projects, much of which occurs within our 190,000 square feet Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) that is located on the north side of Main Campus.

As home to much of NAIT’s applied research, PIC features solutions for business innovation – much of which relates to productivity:

Product testing
Technology adoption
Training and certifications
Productivity and innovation
Applied research
Industry conferences and events

We have numerous flexible workspaces that are adaptable in size and functionality, which gives our industry partners and clients a place to expand ideas and explore solutions. The A-wing of PIC is a 40,000 square foot space that houses wet labs, the analytical core, two microgrid controllers, and an advanced manufacturing core.

The building is designed to LEED Building and Construction certification standards, recognizing sustainability in design and construction. Solar panels installed above the glass canopy in the main foyer will generate 58 kilowatts of electricity per hour and will be used in distributed energy research.

Please join us for a tour during the Alberta Circular Plastics Day 2023 hosted by the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association (APRA) at PIC on March 15, 2023

APRA will post monthly feature articles about our members to showcase their work to improve the circular economy. In December 2024, we took a deep dive into DBS Environmental and their products and services.

At their core, the mission of DBS Environmental is to find methods to recycle materials that are not commonly recycled. Their focus is aimed towards helping small communities and companies in Alberta to reduce their need for landfill. A general awareness of recycling has been beneficial to their organization, but they are faced with the challenges of government policy and the ever-changing market for recycling.

DBS Environmental serves many roles for different companies including Cleanfarms and Full Circle Plastics. They are responsible for sorting and marketing plastics, collecting and preparing Ag plastic, custom shedding and granulation of plastics, and their primary materials are dirty high-density plastics from paint recycling and mixed post consumer materials. DBS Environmental is prepared to adapt to future recycling opportunities that may arise to improve the circular economy.

Their paint stewardship program through Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) permits residents to drop off leftover paint containers, empty or full, free of charge. DBS Environmental has created the Emerald Award winning “Mobile Roundup Centre” which which acepts toxic hazardous materials at roundups for disposal. Their Pick-Up-Program (PUP) allows communities to easily dispose of these kinds of waste and are exchanged at collection sites for a time-and-cost effective process. Furthermore, DBS Environmental also collects electronic waste through ARMA with the cities of Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge.

While juggling these tasks, DBS Environmental is also involved in their local community through Alberta CARE, the Recycling Council of Alberta, SWANA, and ESSA. They also provide recycling support the City of Lethbridge. While also being involved as an APRA member, their organization benefits from our industry contacts and education opportunities. In the future, they hope to see a code of conduct developed for their industry.

APRA is proud to have DBS Environmental as one of our members. We look forward to working with them in the future and helping their organization flourish with networking opportunities and updates on the plastics recycling market. If you would like to learn more about DBS Environmental or get into contact with their organization, we have listed their website, information materials, and contact information below.

Contact: Chris Nielsen, Vice President

chrisdbs@telusplanet.net
403-330-6324

Website: www.dbsenvironmental.com

Keynote Speaker

Antoinette Smith
Resource Recycling

Innovation – The Trailblazers in Our Industry

National and International Updates – Putting Alberta on the Map

Producer Updates

December Feature Member – DBS Environmental

More News

Upcoming Events

APRA Social – January 22, 2025

Recent News

Keynote Speaker

Antoinette SmithResource Recycling

Innovation – The Trailblazers in Our Industry

National and International Updates – Putting Alberta on the Map

Producer Updates

December Feature Member – DBS Environmental

More News

Upcoming Events

APRA Social – January 22, 2025

Recent News

Antoinette Smith
Resource Recycling