Waste Management at Community Events

Explore Edmonton is looking for insights on how our Community and Signature Events division can adopt innovative waste management systems. It's no surprise that major, mass-attended events tend to have a reputation for being wasteful. We are looking for out-of-the-box ways to control waste with the ultimate goal being two-fold: the reduce waste created and, increase waste diverted from landfill. The student(s) would benefit from researching other examples of success in this area and well as practical targets or goals that might be recommended, medium to long-term. When advising on potential controls the student may consider both structural/ engineering controls and behavioral controls that would help to eliminate barriers to accurate waste sorting and management. We would need to explore (at a high level) the relationships that need to be considered in the full life cycle of materials procured and produced (internal and external) and also any stakeholders that should be engaged as we continue to take action towards SDG 12.

Social Procurement Best Practices in the Tourism and Event Industry

Explore Edmonton is seeking a team that can assist in informing the progression of the company's procurement policies, specifically related to inclusive, social purchasing. The social procurement plan will help the organization use buying power to generate social value above and beyond the value of the goods, services or construction being procured. The social procurement plan should ensure the company has information available to make just and equitable business decisions and create meaningful social return on investment. The student(s) should explore what external partnerships (community groups, NGOs, municipal or regional government bodies, etc.) and potential guidance documents should be consulted to build a holistic approach to social procurement and that supports the inclusion of marginalized or racialized (BIPOC) populations and businesses. Researching other businesses or industry leaders that have proven and reliable social procurement practices or policies would be required. The student(s) would not be required to develop this policy in its entirety, but what we are looking for is a set of recommendations for consideration by our policy writing team that can be utilized at the term completion.