The M.D. of Bonnyville had multiple representatives at a recent regional waste management conference, highlighting the municipality’s focus on long-term planning and environmental sustainability.

Councillors Brian Koluk and Ben Fadeyiw attended the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Northern Lights Chapter Conference, alongside municipal staff Brad Ollen and Matt Janz.

Focus on learning and collaboration

According to Koluk, the event was an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and bring new ideas back to the municipality.

“The conference brought together industry leaders, municipal representatives and environmental professionals… strengthening collaboration while gaining insights that can be brought back to support local decision making,” he shared.

He added that participation reflects council’s commitment to staying informed and proactive in a rapidly changing environment.

Addressing growing pressures on waste systems

This year’s theme, “Waste in a World of Change,” focused on the increasing challenges facing waste management systems.

Those pressures include:

• Climate change
• Natural disasters such as wildfires and floods
• Population growth
• Advancements in technology
• Global trade disruptions

The conference emphasized the need for municipalities to build systems that are flexible, resilient, and responsive to evolving conditions.

Regional collaboration across Western and Northern Canada

The SWANA Northern Lights Chapter includes representatives from:

• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

As a non-profit organization, SWANA supports communities responsible for managing municipal solid waste systems through training, certification, and best practices.

Key focus areas for municipalities

Conference sessions covered a range of technical and operational topics, including:

• Waste conversion and energy recovery
• Landfill gas and biogas
• Planning and management
• Communications and public education
• Sustainable materials management
• Collection and transfer systems
• Landfill operations

Bringing insights back to Bonnyville

Municipal representatives say the knowledge gained will help inform future decision-making as the M.D. continues to adapt to changing environmental and infrastructure demands.

The conference reflects a broader approach by the municipality — investing in education and collaboration to better prepare for long-term challenges.