Mark your calendars for October 16, 2024—Retail Council of Canada’s(RCC) Retail Sustainability Conference returns, this year to the Toronto Congress Centre for another landmark event. Building on last year’s success, which brought together over 600 industry leaders, this year’s conference will dive even deeper into strategies for addressing retail’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
With consumer expectations rising and regulatory demands tightening, the need for sustainable practices has never been greater. RCC Retail Sustainability Conference 2024 (see Agenda) will spotlight retail’s role in the circular economy, offering practical solutions for Canadian retailers and manufacturers. It’s designed for mid to senior-level sustainability professionals ready to lead the charge for meaningful change.
Why RCC Retail Sustainability 2024 Conference Matters
Last year, participants explored actionable paths to reducing plastic waste, achieving net-zero emissions, and advancing decarbonization. This year builds on that momentum, offering even more real-world solutions and fostering additional collaborative approaches to sustainability challenges.
Key Sessions You Can’t Miss
The conference opens with an impressive panel featuring Sam Wankowski (Walmart Canada), Olivier Lemire (Keurig Dr Pepper Canada), and Margaret Hudson (Burnbrae Farms Limited) sharing insights on leadership in sustainability.
A highlight will be Driving Innovation and Collaboration with the Consumer Goods Forum, led by Cedric Dever of the Consumer Goods Forum. This session explores how leaders like Alain Brandon (Loblaw), Katie Decker (Kenvue Canada), and Jeff Bezzo (SC Johnson) are reducing environmental impact through ethical sourcing and product transparency, with a special focus on the Golden Design Rules aimed at cutting packaging waste.
Another key session, Collaboration is Key to Managing Scope 3, tackles indirect emissions in the supply chain. Speakers Tim Faveri (Nutrien Inc.), Jackie Cobb (Schneider Electric), and Paul Yang (RBI) and Daniel Reshef (Nestlé Canada) will share best practices for working with partners to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions.
For those focused on packaging, Recyclability and the Impact on Packaging offers valuable insights into how retailers like Anthony Wolf (Canadian Tire Corporation) are improving product and packaging lifecycles. The session will be led by Patrick Dovigi, Founder and CEO of GFL Environmental, along with Stephen Miranda (GFL Environmental), who will explore collaborations to design more sustainable products. Jonathan Ménard (Machinex) will also join the panel to discuss key technological advancements in recycling that are driving innovation in the industry
Another must-see session, Sustainable Growth: Navigating Brand Responsibility and Consumer Demands, moderated by Kasia Sell (Deloitte Canada) in discussion with Leigh Pearson (Staples Canada) and Lindsey Colley (Canadian Tire Corporation) will show how brands can balance growth and sustainability while maintaining trust. The session will cover consumer trends, investments for long-term resilience, and navigating the legal risks of sustainability claims.
Why You Should Attend
RCC’s Retail Sustainability 2024 Conference is about more than learning—it’s about action. Whether you focus on packaging innovation, reducing emissions, or aligning growth with sustainability, this event will provide the tools and connections to lead your organization into a sustainable future.
With Early Bird pricing offering $100 savings until September 18, now is the time to secure your spot. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with industry leaders and explore the latest strategies driving retail’s sustainable transformation. Visit the RCC Sustainability Conference website for tickets.
Join us on October 16, 2024, and help shape the future of retail and sustainability. Together, we can lead the industry toward a circular and responsible future.
*Partner content. To work with Retail Insider, contact Craig Patterson at: craig@retail-insider.com
