The Regenerative Resource Centre is a hub for educational materials, funding opportunities, and inspiration, designed to give partners easy access to tools for regenerative tourism. It brings together resources, from recycling guides and food waste reduction programs to carbon offsetting information, in one convenient place to help organisations begin their regenerative journeys.
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Case Study
Discover how McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is setting a new standard for inclusion in Richmond’s tourism sector through the Rainbow Registered accreditation and the Regenerative Tourism Grant Program. Read the full story
Resources



Want to learn more about how to implement sustainable practices in your business? This section highlights local regenerative initiatives, provides different tool kits and guides for businesses looking to make a change!
Responsible Events:
- Responsible Events Guidelines: Toolkit
- Destination Canada Responsible Events Guide: 10 Powerful Ways to Make Your Next Event More Sustainable
- Tourism Richmond Sustainable Events Guide: Responsible Events Guide
Sustainable Projects:
- City of Richmond’s Sustainability Initiatives: Partners for Climate Protection
- Destination BC Project One: BCTCRI: Project One – Destination BC
- City of Richmond Circular Learning Hub: Richmond Circular Learning Hub
Businesses for Good:
- Zero Emissions Delivery Company: ZIPPLY | Zero Emission Logistics & Delivery
- BC Products Directory: Buy BC Products
- Chopstick Recycling Program: ChopValue
- Richmond Regenerative Success Stories: Circular Success Stories | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
- BC Green Business Certification: Sustainability Certification British Columbia
Climate Crisis and Emergency Preparedness:
- Tourism Emergency Prepardness Resources: Emergency Preparedness – Destination BC
- Climate Crisis Business Strategies: Integrate climate into your business strategy
Start your regenerative learning experience here! Below are links to articles, podcasts, local projects, training programs and impact measurements tools designed to help your understanding of regenerative tourism.
What is regenerative tourism?
- BC Tourism Sustainability Network Resources : BC Tourism Sustainability Network
- Regenerative Tourism Article: Regenerative Tourism 101 | Adventure Canada
- Regenerative Tourism Podcast: Have You Heard of Regenerative Tourism? – Destinations Beyond Expectations
- The UN sustainability goals: THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
How can I measure my impact?
- Sustainability Score: GreenStep
- Training Programs: Rainbow Registered | Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
What are others doing in Richmond?
- Richmond Circular Learning Hub: Watch & Learn | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
- Tourism Richmond Regenerative Resource Centre
Opportunities:
Looking to implement sustainability projects but don’t have the funding for it? Explore some of the funding opportunities to help businesses start their regenerative journeys. Below are some opportunities both locally funded and provincially funded.
Locally Funded:
- Tourism Richmond Regenerative Tourism Grant Program: Regenerative Solutions for Partners
- City of Richmond Environmental Grant: Environmental Enhancement Grant
Provincially Funded:
- British Columbia Farmers Income Tax Credit: Province of British Columbia
- Destination BC Micro Grants: BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative
Federally Funded:
- Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund: Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund



Richmond is committed to reducing waste. Below are both food-waste reduction and plastic reduction resources that are local to Richmond. Many of these programs are designed specifically for businesses to reduce their overall waste.
Plastic Waste Reduction:
- Recycling resource: SFC Bye Bye Mini Bottles Resource
- Richmond Recycling Services for Residents: City of Richmond, BC
- Richmond Recycling Programs: Recycling & Garbage – City of Richmond, BC
- Recycling Services for Richmond Businesses: Business Recycling – City of Richmond, BC
- Richmond Take Back Recycling Program: Drop Off and Take Back Programs – City of Richmond, BC
- Chopstick Recycling Program: ChopValue
Food Waste Reduction:
- Food Waste Accreditation Program: Home – La Tablée des Chefs
- Food Waste Accreditation Program based in BC: BetterTable™
- Food Donation Program: Vancouver Food Runners
- Food Waste Reduction Program: Too Good To Go
- Food Waste Reduction Educational Resources: Education Hub -Too Good To Go
- Richmond Based Food Recycling Program: FoodMesh
- The Government of Canada Food Waste Reduction Educational Materials: Food loss and waste
- Guide for Receiving and Making Food Donations: Food Donation Guidelines
Carbon offsets are credits you can buy to balance out your greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove carbon elsewhere. They’re a tool for individuals and businesses to help fight climate change when direct emission cuts aren’t possible. Below is a list of resources and tools for businesses to learn about Carbon offsets.
What are carbon offsets?
- Educational Resource on Carbon Offsets: What Are Carbon Offsets and How Do They Work? | Earth.Org
- Government Greenhouse gas emissions offset project: Greenhouse gas emission offset projects – Province of British Columbia
- Webinars on Carbon: Watch & Learn | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
How to calculate your carbon impact?
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator: Calculate your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Carbon Audit Company – Synergy Enterprises conducts Tourism Richmond’s Carbon Audit: Sustainability Consulting
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and it plays a key role in regenerative tourism. It’s a framework often used in workplaces, schools, and organizations to create environments where all individuals feel respected, valued and included. Here is a list of different DEI tools, educational resources, certifications and initiatives that businesses can get involved in.
Indigenous Inclusion Resources:
- Indigenous Tourism Educational Resources: Experience BC Through Our Stories
- Authentic Indigenous Experiences: Authentic Indigenous – Indigenous Tourism BC
- Accelerating Indigenous Tourism Growth in Canada’s 5 Year Strategic Plan: Accelerating Tourism Growth Booklet
- 2018 National Guidelines for Developing Authentic Indigenous Experiences: National Guidelines
- Indigenous Tourism Training Modules: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund: Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund
Accessible Tourism:
- Destination BC’s Educational Resources on Accessible Tourism: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility – Destination BC
- Map of Lower Mainland Accessible and Non Accessible Buildings: AccessNow
- Rick Hansen Foundation Program Information: Accessibility Matters
- Rick Hansen Foundation Resources for Accessibility: Accessibility Resources
Inclusion Resources:
- Rainbow Registered Certification: Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
- City of Richmond Pride Week Information: Pride Week – City of Richmond, BC
- City of Richmond Diversity Symposium: Diversity Symposium – City of Richmond, BC


Want to learn more about how to implement sustainable practices in your business? This section highlights local regenerative initiatives, provides different tool kits and guides for businesses looking to make a change!
Responsible Events:
- Responsible Events Guidelines: Toolkit
- Destination Canada Responsible Events Guide: 10 Powerful Ways to Make Your Next Event More Sustainable
- Tourism Richmond Sustainable Events Guide: Responsible Events Guide
Sustainable Projects:
- City of Richmond’s Sustainability Initiatives: Partners for Climate Protection
- Destination BC Project One: BCTCRI: Project One – Destination BC
- City of Richmond Circular Learning Hub: Richmond Circular Learning Hub
Businesses for Good:
- Zero Emissions Delivery Company: ZIPPLY | Zero Emission Logistics & Delivery
- BC Products Directory: Buy BC Products
- Chopstick Recycling Program: ChopValue
- Richmond Regenerative Success Stories: Circular Success Stories | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
- BC Green Business Certification: Sustainability Certification British Columbia
Climate Crisis and Emergency Preparedness:
- Tourism Emergency Prepardness Resources: Emergency Preparedness – Destination BC
- Climate Crisis Business Strategies: Integrate climate into your business strategy

Start your regenerative learning experience here! Below are links to articles, podcasts, local projects, training programs and impact measurements tools designed to help your understanding of regenerative tourism.
What is regenerative tourism?
- BC Tourism Sustainability Network Resources : BC Tourism Sustainability Network
- Regenerative Tourism Article: Regenerative Tourism 101 | Adventure Canada
- Regenerative Tourism Podcast: Have You Heard of Regenerative Tourism? – Destinations Beyond Expectations
- The UN sustainability goals: THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
How can I measure my impact?
- Sustainability Score: GreenStep
- Training Programs: Rainbow Registered | Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
What are others doing in Richmond?
- Richmond Circular Learning Hub: Watch & Learn | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
- Tourism Richmond Regenerative Resource Centre
Opportunities:

Looking to implement sustainability projects but don’t have the funding for it? Explore some of the funding opportunities to help businesses start their regenerative journeys. Below are some opportunities both locally funded and provincially funded.
Locally Funded:
- Tourism Richmond Regenerative Tourism Grant Program: Regenerative Solutions for Partners
- City of Richmond Environmental Grant: Environmental Enhancement Grant
Provincially Funded:
- British Columbia Farmers Income Tax Credit: Province of British Columbia
- Destination BC Micro Grants: BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative
Federally Funded:
- Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund: Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund

Richmond is committed to reducing waste. Below are both food-waste reduction and plastic reduction resources that are local to Richmond. Many of these programs are designed specifically for businesses to reduce their overall waste.
Plastic Waste Reduction:
- Recycling resource: SFC Bye Bye Mini Bottles Resource
- Richmond Recycling Services for Residents: City of Richmond, BC
- Richmond Recycling Programs: Recycling & Garbage – City of Richmond, BC
- Recycling Services for Richmond Businesses: Business Recycling – City of Richmond, BC
- Richmond Take Back Recycling Program: Drop Off and Take Back Programs – City of Richmond, BC
- Chopstick Recycling Program: ChopValue
Food Waste Reduction:
- Food Waste Accreditation Program: Home – La Tablée des Chefs
- Food Waste Accreditation Program based in BC: BetterTable™
- Food Donation Program: Vancouver Food Runners
- Food Waste Reduction Program: Too Good To Go
- Food Waste Reduction Educational Resources: Education Hub -Too Good To Go
- Richmond Based Food Recycling Program: FoodMesh
- The Government of Canada Food Waste Reduction Educational Materials: Food loss and waste
- Guide for Receiving and Making Food Donations: Food Donation Guidelines

Carbon offsets are credits you can buy to balance out your greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove carbon elsewhere. They’re a tool for individuals and businesses to help fight climate change when direct emission cuts aren’t possible. Below is a list of resources and tools for businesses to learn about Carbon offsets.
What are carbon offsets?
- Educational Resource on Carbon Offsets: What Are Carbon Offsets and How Do They Work? | Earth.Org
- Government Greenhouse gas emissions offset project: Greenhouse gas emission offset projects – Province of British Columbia
- Webinars on Carbon: Watch & Learn | Richmond Circular Learning Hub
How to calculate your carbon impact?
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator: Calculate your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Carbon Audit Company – Synergy Enterprises conducts Tourism Richmond’s Carbon Audit: Sustainability Consulting

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and it plays a key role in regenerative tourism. It’s a framework often used in workplaces, schools, and organizations to create environments where all individuals feel respected, valued and included. Here is a list of different DEI tools, educational resources, certifications and initiatives that businesses can get involved in.
Indigenous Inclusion Resources:
- Indigenous Tourism Educational Resources: Experience BC Through Our Stories
- Authentic Indigenous Experiences: Authentic Indigenous – Indigenous Tourism BC
- Accelerating Indigenous Tourism Growth in Canada’s 5 Year Strategic Plan: Accelerating Tourism Growth Booklet
- 2018 National Guidelines for Developing Authentic Indigenous Experiences: National Guidelines
- Indigenous Tourism Training Modules: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund: Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund
Accessible Tourism:
- Destination BC’s Educational Resources on Accessible Tourism: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility – Destination BC
- Map of Lower Mainland Accessible and Non Accessible Buildings: AccessNow
- Rick Hansen Foundation Program Information: Accessibility Matters
- Rick Hansen Foundation Resources for Accessibility: Accessibility Resources
Inclusion Resources:
- Rainbow Registered Certification: Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
- City of Richmond Pride Week Information: Pride Week – City of Richmond, BC
- City of Richmond Diversity Symposium: Diversity Symposium – City of Richmond, BC

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FAQ
What is Regenerative Tourism?
Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability. While sustainable tourism aims to minimize negative impacts, regenerative tourism seeks to actively improve the social, cultural, environmental, and economic conditions of a destination.
Why is Regenerative Tourism Important?
Regenerative Tourism is an opportunity for businesses to commit to environmental and social good while still being economically successful. Regenerative tourism is key to making the switch from a negative take-make-waste system to a regenerative one.
Regenerative Tourism:
- Protects and restores ecosystems
- Empowers local communities
- Preserves cultural heritage
- Creates deeper, more meaningful travel experiences
- Creates mindfulness for the planet
How can Regenerative Tourism Help my Business?
Regenerative Tourism allows businesses to attract new conscious travelers who value sustainability and community impact. Regenerative tourism helps build strong businesses by committing to sustainable practices and improves the long-term resilience of organizations.
Regenerative Tourism:
- Attracts conscious travelers who value sustainability and community impact
- Builds stronger community relationships
- Improves long-term resilience by aligning with environmental and social goals
- Enhances employee satisfaction through purpose-driven
How is Regenerative Tourism different from the current tourism model?
The current tourism model does not consider the implications of travel on the planet, or the communities impacted by tourism. Often this tourism has a negative impact on the environment as it has high carbon footprints, and the profits made from this tourism does not benefit the community.
Regenerative tourism, prioritizes mutual benefit, ensuring that tourism contributes positively to the community’s long-term health. Regenerative tourism aims to mutually benefit the tourists and the destination by considering more than visitor satisfaction.
How is Regenerative Tourism different from sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism is about minimizing negative environmental impacts whereas regenerative tourism considers both the environmental implication and the social implications. Regenerative Tourism is about ensuring a positive experience for all parties involved – the visitors, the hosts, the planet, the local communities and the local wildlife.
- Sustainable tourism aims to reduce negative impacts.
- Regenerative tourism aims to create positive impacts
How can I become a more regenerative business?
There are many small- and large-scale actions that organizations can take to make their business regenerative. Including:
- Support local suppliers and Indigenous businesses
- Reduce emissions and aim for carbon neutrality
- Educate staff and guests on regenerative practices
- Join programs like BC Green Business, Rainbow Registered, La Tablee des Chefs and BetterTable. For more information about these programs check out our website.
- Assess environmental, social and cultural impacts through a neutral third party
- Work with the community to grow your business
Why should I accredit my business?
Third party certificates or accreditations can help businesses validate and grow their sustainability efforts. This builds trusts with customers and can provide benchmarks and guidance for internal reporting standards. In receiving a third-party accreditation, companies reflect on their business’s practices, often highlighting operational inefficiencies that can be minimized. If you are interested in receiving a third party accreditation check out our regenerative solutions page.
How do I accredit my business?
There are many programs and certifications that businesses can go through. The best programs are the ones tailored to the industry your business is in and the ones that are adaptive to local standards. Try to find certifications that are in BC so that the criteria accurately represent the location your business is in.
A great place to start is with the Regenerative Tourism Grant Program. Tourism Richmond offers up to $2000 for businesses looking to get certified with BC Green, Rainbow Registered, La Tablee des Chefs and BetterTable.
How do I explain Regenerative Tourism to my employees?
These are some actions that can help with explaining regenerative tourism to employees:
- Involve staff in a third-party certification proces.
- Provide training sessions, resources or educational materials for staff to review.
- Have brainstorming sessions on how to implement sustainable practices.
- Start and internal sustainability committee.
- Share success stories of other organizations similar to yours.
- Start with the regenerative resource centre!
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact the Regenerative Tourism Team!

Hannah Arthurs, Manager, Marketing



