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Retailers are embedding sustainability best practices throughout their operations. Tackling everything from responsible global supply chain sourcing, efficient recycling, compassionate animal welfare and significant energy consumption reduction, retailers are committed to acting proactively and collaboratively.
Retail Council of Canada works with retailers and sustainability experts to provide information concerning emerging issues and opportunities.
Learn about your role as a retailer and the guiding principles that inform RCC’s advocacy work for sustainability and extended producer responsibility (EPR).
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Understand recent government measures and retail initiatives related to plastics, single-use items and alternative options.
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RCC works with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) to develop Codes of Practice, best practices and information to advance farm animal welfare.
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A new guide by Dr. Janis Sarra, Retail’s Route to Net-zero Emissions: The Canadian Retail Sector and Effective Climate Governance, provides an accessible summary of the legal duties of retail directors and officers in the transition to a net-zero economy.
Read moreThe EPR/Stewardship Committee is actively engaged in advocacy efforts around extended producer responsibility and supports members with program compliance for the various recycling and stewardship programs across Canada. The committee reviews proposed regulatory changes to ensure industry's need and concerns are front-and-center while supporting RCC volunteers and staff who sit on stakeholder and advisory/consultative bodies. Beyond this, the committee guides RCC staff in the development and presentation of RCC positions to provincial and federal governments. Join this committee.
The Plastics Committee is actively engaged in monitoring single-use plastics bans across the country to support member compliance while exploring packaging and material alternatives (e.g., reusable options, compostables, etc.). The committee also focuses on best practice sharing for a range of topics, including eco-design, recycled content, and improved vendor/customer communications. Committee members help advise RCC volunteers and staff who sit on stakeholder and advisory/consultative bodies and guide RCC staff in the development and presentation of RCC positions on plastics issues to all levels of government. Join this committee.
The Responsible Sourcing Committee is a member working group comprised of retail members with roles that include government relations, public affairs, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethical/responsible sourcing, public relations, etc. The purpose of the committee is to help retail members grow and develop their respective responsible sourcing programs; and to facilitate the sharing of pre-competitive best-practices between members concerning issues including human rights, child labour, working conditions in factories, human trafficking, modern-day slavery, fair/living wages, worker safety, factory structural issues, living conditions and more. The Committee also works to communicate the commitment of Canadian retailers to responsible trade and consults and builds alliances with consumers, NGOs, academics and other industry partners. Join this committee
The Transportation and Logistical Efficiency Committee has a national scope and is comprised of retail members who are taking a proactive approach to improving transportation, including best practice sharing, pilot projects and advocacy. Topics include off-peak delivery, benefits and trade-offs associated with different modes of transportation, reducing regulatory barriers (e.g., time-of-day restrictions) and more. To further the aim of the committee, RCC staff will identify partnership and funding opportunities with external stakeholders to support pilot projects. The committee guides RCC staff in the development and presentation of initiatives to government. Join this committee or see potential project ideas.
The Energy Efficiency – Buildings Committee has a national scope and is comprised of retail members who are taking a proactive approach to improving energy efficiency in buildings, including best practice sharing, pilot projects and advocacy. Topics include green energy sourcing, financial management/ landlord opportunities, and identifying jurisdictional challenges and opportunities related to energy pricing. To further the aim of the committee, RCC staff will identify partnership and funding opportunities with external stakeholders to support pilot projects. The committee guides RCC staff in the development and presentation of initiatives to government. Join this committee or see potential project ideas.