Unlocking value: The role of producer responsibility organizations for packaging and paper EPR

As CEO, Allen is responsible for leading Circular Materials through the development of Ontario’s new blue box recycling system while expanding the organization’s operations into other provinces, starting with New Brunswick. His mission is to support producers with a robust not-for-profit service offering that advances the circular economy, delivers national harmonization of extended producer responsibility (EPR) services and harnesses competitive procurement to provide the best value for producers.

Prior to joining Circular Materials, Allen served as the President and CEO of Return-It, British Columbia’s very successful used beverage container management program in Canada. In this role, Allen oversaw the modernization of Return-It’s collection network, which consists of more than 170 collection sites, including Return-It depots, Express Plus and Express & GO stations. Return-It has routinely exceeded a 75% recovery rate for used beverage containers in British Columbia, and its network has supported the collection of new materials, including waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Allen also served as the Managing Director for Recycle BC, the first 100% EPR program for paper and packaging in North America where industry assumed full financial and managerial responsibility for the residential recycling system.
Allen currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Washington State Recycling Development Centre.

As Vice President, Producer Responsibility for Eco Entreprises Quebec, Philippe leads the team handling producer relations, audits, fee setting, Eco modulation, packaging design and recyclability.
He holds a master’s degree in environmental science and has dedicated most of his decade to shaping Extended Producer Responsibility policies and programs for paper, packaging, electronics, appliances, and other consumer products.
Atypical projects, consensus building and change management are some of his key motivators alongside his love for his family, good food, languages, and travel.

Cynthia Shanks serves as Senior Director of Corporate Affairs for Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) Canada, spearheading corporate communications, sustainability initiatives, and government affairs. With a strategic mindset and over two decades of experience, she plays a crucial role in advancing KDP Canada’s environmental and corporate objectives.
Since joining KDP Canada in 2012, Cynthia has been instrumental in embedding sustainability into the Company’s core strategy. Her leadership has driven transformative packaging innovations, significantly reducing the Company’s environmental impact.

Before her time at KDP, Cynthia held senior communications positions at Hydro-Québec and Deloitte, and she began her career as a Communications Advisor at Stratège Idées Communication and Project Manager at the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal.

A passionate advocate for the industry, Cynthia is actively involved in key associations, serving on boards that reflect her commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. She has served in the past on the boards of the Coffee Association of Canada and the Plastic Division of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, and currently sits on the board of Circular Materials, the Canadian Beverage Association, and the Quebec Beverage Container Recycling Association.
Cynthia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Montréal, fueling her relentless drive for positive change.

Catherine is the sustainability communications lead at Unilever Canada. With a career of over 30 years focused on environmental issues, she has gained extensive experience in developing and executing sustainability communications strategies.
Most recently her work has focused on sharing stories of Unilever’s journey to net zero, how Unilever is working to protect and regenerate nature, and innovations and collaborations to reduce its plastics footprint. In addition to communications, Catherine’s responsibilities include regulatory affairs on issues related to plastics, packaging and extended producer responsibility.