HSR Zero Waste wins Clean50 Top Project Award

Happy Stan’s Recycling Services Ltd. (HSR) Zero Waste, based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, has won Canada’s 2026 Clean50 Top Project Award for its comprehensive waste management system redesign and implementation at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and collaboration behind every project we take on,” Jamie Kaminski, president of HSR Zero Waste, says. “We’re proud to share this success with our community and everyone who continues to support the journey toward a circular, waste-free future.”

The large-scale initiative started with a goal of helping high-traffic facilities transition to zero waste operations. Prior to HSR’s involvement, the facility’s waste diversion rate had plateaued at around 50 percent.

By introducing a comprehensive program including operational redesign, data-driven planning and on-site engagement, HSR Zero Waste took control of all waste streams. The system was designed to fit into existing workflows, maintaining day-to-day continuity while improving efficiency.

Key components included:

• conducting in-depth waste composition and equipment assessments to identify efficiency gaps;
• delivering internal zero waste training for operations and events staff;
• reconfiguring waste flows and reallocating existing equipment to optimize processing; and
• launching an on-site sorting system designed to recover value from materials previously treated as waste.

The program consistently boosted diversion rates to 75-90 percent. In 2024, it successfully diverted more than 2.2 million pounds (one million kilograms) of material from landfills and incineration. According to HSR, the program also introduced clearer waste streams and contamination controls, improving compliance and data accuracy across departments.

“It’s amazing to look back and see how far we’ve come—from collecting newspapers with a pickup truck to leading national zero waste projects,” Stan Kaminski, founder of HSR Zero Waste, says. “This award is not just for us, but for everyone who believes in making a real difference, one program at a time.”