qathet Regional District (qRD) has received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) for its resource recovery centre (RRC).
According to a media release from CAMA, the municipality was presented with the 2025 CAMA environmental leadership and sustainability award in the 20,001 to 100,000 population category, during an awards ceremony held at CAMA’s national conference in Mont Tremblant, Quebec.
“CAMA is pleased to recognize the qathet Regional District for the municipal excellence demonstrated by its resource recovery centre,” stated CAMA president Tony Kulbisky. “qathet Regional District’s efforts aim to reduce and divert organic and recyclable materials from the waste stream. In addition, parkland, community gathering spaces, outdoor classrooms and trails have been created on a remediated landfill. That is a win-win situation.”
The region’s new resource recovery centre for waste and recyclable materials is designed to maximize waste diversion, enhance sustainability and create a cleaner future, the release stated. Built on a 15.8-acre remediated landfill, the project has transformed waste management in the region, while restoring more than half the site as public parkland and trails, according to the release.
“The resource recovery centre highlights the financial and environmental benefits offered by investing in the circular economy,” stated qRD board chair Clay Brander. “The RRC showcases a recycle-first approach, where prioritizing diversion ensures that waste is the last option. The RRC’s strategic site design offers environmental protections, energy efficient site operations and opportunities for public education and recreation.”
The facility includes a recycling and reuse centre, organics program, ocean plastic depot, scale house and waste transfer station. With no local landfill, the RRC promotes waste diversion and efficient collection, sorting, and transport of waste, organics, and recyclables. Using a recycle-first approach, the RRC features salvaged materials, creatively repurposed by local builders and artists. Visitors encounter recycling and compost drop-off areas intentionally before reaching garbage collection.
A total of 54 submissions were received for this year’s awards program. To find out more about each award, and to see a video outlining each project, go to camacam.ca/awards and look for the award recipients’ link.
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