Archipelago wins BC's Capital Regional District EcoStar Award for Waste Reduction, May 2010

In May Archipelago became the proud winner of BC's Capital Regional District EcoStar Award for Waste Reduction for 2010.

The Archipelago Sustainability Initiative (ASI) was formed in 2003 in order to address the growing concerns about the waste stream generated by Archipelago employees. The goal of ASI is to provide Archipelago with a holistic, cyclical view of the business model that embodies a truly sustainable and socially responsible business operation. To date ASI’s primary focus has been to address the waste stream generated by company operations and Archipelago employees. The committee has also led initiatives around:

• Increasing awareness around green house gases and climate change
• Promotion of green products such as reusable shopping bags and biodegradable soaps
• Reduced water consumption through the installation of low flow toilets
• Reduced energy consumption through the installation of energy efficient light fixtures and implementing energy saving policies around computer use
• Encouraging bicycle commuters through the installation of secure bike storage, participation in Bike to Work Week, reserved parking for car pool vehicles

Since 2008 Archipelago has diverted from the landfill 12 dumpsters of Styrofoam, 10 dumpsters of soft plastics, 2 dumpsters of flattened cartons, 11 lbs of foil wrappers, 300 lbs of batteries, 4,800 lbs of compostable materials over 4 years, and 947 lbs of waste and recyclables collected as part of the local TD Shoreline Cleanup. The vision by 2012 for Archipelago is to have a zero waste environment.

CRD EcoStar Award Waste Reduction category description:
Participants were evaluated on:

• Effectiveness
• Innovation, Creativity & Originality
• Promotion & Impact of Environmental Stewardship
• Leadership

Programs, projects or initiatives may include: recycling, composting, reuse or waste-to-energy processes, or proper disposal programs such as the pharmaceuticals return program.

The Waste Reduction Award acknowledges an individual, group or organization that draws attention to the richness and diversity of the natural world and the importance of working toward ecological sustainability through waste avoidance and resource conservation. Nominees should be working toward positive alternatives to standard waste disposal. Programs may be implemented by other individuals or businesses and should work to increase awareness of waste reduction needs. Education, engagement and empowering others to rethink the standard recycle, reuse, reduce strategy are also essential attributes of this award.

Capital Regional District - EcoStar Awards

May 2010 - Archipelago's Shawn Stebbins wins the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC) 2010 Executive of the Year Award

Archipelago was very proud to see our President Shawn Stebbins recognized for all the hard work he and the company have been putting into improving Archipelago's business processes, organization, and long-range vision as a company.

Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. has undergone significant and sustained growth over the past 30 years. Under the guidance of Shawn Stebbins as President and CEO since 2001, we have evolved from a dedicated services organization operating almost exclusively in local markets, to a global services and technology provider offering expertise and technology in support of sustainable fisheries management throughout coastal US, Europe, and Australia.

In order to meet the growing international interest in our technology and services, Shawn was faced with the challenge of positioning Archipelago for international growth by creating a scalable organization with a clear corporate vision. During 2009, Shawn worked collaboratively to implement a re-organization of the company’s structure and built a management team (Executive Leadership Team) whose members share clear and focused goals and objectives that align with our corporate strategy. Despite the economic downturn of 2009, Shawn continued to invest in the company by allocating funds to upgrade the corporate systems, continuing with research and development, increasing leadership capacity by promoting and supporting stronger leadership with training and development initiatives. Furthermore, he maintained our core values by offering undiminished contributions to local community charities and initiatives.

Shawn’s leadership during 2009 touched all areas and levels of the organization; as a direct result of his leadership, Archipelago accomplished huge organizational transformation while maintaining positive employee morale, and made remarkable progress towards positioning the company to begin building our vision.

Innovation of the Year Award!

Archipelago is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the Vancouver Island Business Examiner Crystal Award for Innovation of the Year for 2006.

This award recognizes our success in the development of our Electronic Vessel Information System (ELVIS) and its application within the Groundfish Hook and Line Catch Monitoring Program.

This award was presented based on a number of criteria, including: overall business size, growth, market and niche, the uniqueness and application of the innovation, business challenges faced and overcome, training and staff development, and community and environmental initiatives.

All of our staff, coast wide, especially our EM team are proud of this recognition from the Vancouver Island business community and are working toward further refinement and development of this technology for new applications.