NEWS
Discover the latest news from SOMA, our clients, relevant industries and beyond.
OLF closes the loop on marine plastics with end-of-life fishing gear disposal program
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), an organization accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and participant of marine plastic recovery and recycling, has launched the Marine Plastic Management Program (MPMP), an initiative designed to support British Columbia's fishing and aquaculture industry in responsibly managing fishing gear disposal while driving Canada's circular economy.
Construction Plastics Initiative launches Freedom Mobile Arch and Steveston Community Centre Projects, advancing sustainable building practices in Metro Vancouver
Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, and their Construction Plastics Initiative, which launched in 2024 to capture, divert and upcycle plastic waste from Metro Vancouver construction sites, today announced two new construction project partners — the Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver, with general contractor EllisDon Corporation, and the Steveston Community Centre in Richmond, with general contractor Scott Construction. All plastic waste collected from projects involved ineCap the Construction Plastics Initiative are processed by Langley Plastics into a reusable plastic pellet, which is then integrated into the manufacturing of a range of new building products.
What Can and Can't Be Recycled?
Our client, Recycle BC, was recently featured on CTV News to teach viewers what can and cannot be recycled.
Common summer items used while camping or spending time outdoors, such as propane tanks, bear spray, and butane cans, should not be placed in blue curbside recycling bins. Visit recyclebc.ca/hazardous to find the best place to dispose of these items.
North Vancouver girls’ team does Canada proud at international basketball tournament
VanCity Basketball Club, a North Vancouver-based youth basketball organization committed to developing confident, skilled, and community-minded athletes, announced today that its U13 girls’ team has claimed third place at the Taro Cup, an international youth basketball tournament held in Taipei, Taiwan from June 16–20, 2025. Representing Canada on the global stage, the VanCity athletes showcased exceptional talent, teamwork, and resilience as they competed against elite teams from across Asia and North America.
B.C. launches its first virtual cardiac rehab program at Vancouver hospital
B.C has launched the province’s first virtual cardiac rehab program at Vancouver General Hospital. The virtual program will allow patients in rural and remote communities to access care without having to travel to the Lower Mainland. Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, director of the VGH CardioRisk Clinic, will be leading the program.
Program helps construction industry reduce waste and carbon
To help others do the same, Light House, a consulting company for green building, offers a program called the Circular Construction Accelerator, which helps construction-related businesses find better ways to operate.
Through the accelerator, businesses will get one-on-one help developing products, reducing waste, finding alternative sourcing of materials and enhancing growth.
“A circular built environment is grounded in three principles: eliminate waste through upstream design, optimize material use and lifecycle, and regenerate natural systems,” Gil Yaron, managing director, circular innovation, with Light House, said in a news release.
The Circular Construction Accelerator is supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada.
Chilliwack students, Indigenous artists collaborate on bilingual music video
A group of Chilliwack students and Indigenous artists have come together to inspire environmental stewardship and reconciliation by way of a music video.
The song and video project titled “Step in the Right Direction” was released on May 22. Music students from Chilliwack, Sardis and G.W. Graham secondary schools collaborated with the Artist Response Team (ART), in partnership with Éy St’élmexw St’elt’ílém / Good Medicine Songs for the project.
Research, programs improve film recycling access
Most Americans have access to a store drop-off site for film plastics, according to a new study by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
The findings come as The Recycling Partnership launches an initiative to expand film plastic recycling in California and the city of West Vancouver, British Columbia, prepares to start curbside flexible plastic collection.
Indigenous-led efforts bolster EPR collection in remote parts of Canada
Now, thanks to a new partnership agreement, IZWTAG will formally administer the First Nations Recycling Initiative. It’s an outreach and recycling program run by BC’s Stewardship Agencies of BC, a coalition of EPR organizations. The initiative raises awareness of BC’s EPR programs and supports local collection and recycling events for EPR-eligible items like electronics, large appliances and household hazardous waste.
Active Impact Investments Holds $110-Million Final Close For Third Climate Tech Seed Fund
Active Impact secured more than $70 million in initial commitments for the new fund back in November 2023 during a difficult period for fundraising.
At the time, Active Impact was targeting to close the fund with $120 million in early 2024.
In an email statement to BetaKit, founder and managing partner Mike Winterfield said that Active Impact is proud to more than double its assets under management (AUM) while its contemporaries are pausing raise plans. He added that the firm had the option for a six-month extension to reach its fundraise target, but decided they already had enough money to run their strategy.
South Surrey home among top prizes in 'hottest' lottery
A home in the heart of the Semiahmoo Peninsula is among 10 grand-prize choices in this year's Hometown Heroes Lottery. The lottery – first launched in 2003 – supports VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and the BC Professional Firefighters' Burn Fund.
BC recycler turning plastic waste into concrete supplement
Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, and their Construction Plastics Initiative, which launched in 2024 to capture, divert and upcycle plastic waste from Metro Vancouver construction sites, today announced two new construction project partners — the Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver, with general contractor EllisDon Corporation, and the Steveston Community Centre in Richmond, with general contractor Scott Construction.
Earth Day: How recycling helps the planet
In honour of Earth Day we speak with Maja Rusinowska of Recycle BC about how to maximize our recycling efforts to better reduce waste.
Hometown Heroes Lottery features prize home in Courtenay
The 2025 Hometown Heroes Lottery just launched and one of the nine grand prize homes is located in Courtenay. Found at 3235 Winchester Avenue, Courtenay, in the Crown Isle neighbourhood and developed by Integra Homes. The prize home is worth over $2.5 million, is a 2,666 sq. ft home and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a two car garage.
Interchange Recycling to begin oil collection in Yukon
Interchange Recycling, a not-for-profit organization that collects and recycles used motor oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze and antifreeze containers, is expanding to Yukon, starting August 1, 2025. This marks Interchange Recycling’s first expansion beyond British Columbia, bringing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to a new jurisdiction.
Reuse of Wood Construction and Demolition Waste: Potentials for Canada
Landfilled wood is a big part of Canada’s construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste problem. The average lifespan of a building in Canada is around 70 years before it is demolished, and in rapidly densifying cities, the actual lifespan can be much shorter. Wood waste makes up 40 per cent of CRD waste; nationally, this means that about 10 per cent of all residual solid waste is wood waste. This equates to approximately 3.6 million tons of wood being landfilled each year.
AI Program Estimates Grid Conditions
ThinkLabs AI has launched a specialized physics-informed AI Agent that provides utilities with immediate, data-driven accurate insights into electric power distribution networks. This new distribution system state estimation (DSSE) solution bridges visibility gaps in grid operational performance, offering utilities situational awareness and intelligent control. By estimating grid conditions, ThinkLabs AI Agent may help prevent grid congestions, integrate variable resources, and enhance operational safety and reliability.
Light House launches Building Material Exchange Marketplace
Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, has launched the Building Material Exchange Marketplace (BMEx Marketplace).
The free online business-to-business marketplace allows businesses across Vancouver Island to list and acquire excess and salvaged building and/or design-related materials from reliable, local sources, explains a release.
Used oil recycling depot in Grand Forks gets an upgrade
Grand Forks is getting a bigger and better drop-off site for motor oil and other used automotive fluids. Interchange Recycling, announced the Bottle Depot at 8058 Donaldson Dr., has received new recycling infrastructure in the form of a 20 foot sea container with a 2,200 litre tank to store materials.
Save-On-Foods makes historic donation to British Columbia mental health initiative
Save-On-Foods has made a $15 million donation to BC Children’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the largest mental health donation in their histories.