Circular Chronicle October 2026

Circular Chronicle August 2026

CIC UPDATES

Thank you for celebrating Circular Economy Month!

As #CircularEconomyMonth comes to a close this week, we want to give a huge thank you to our incredible network of partners, members, and program participants across the country that joined us in celebrating and championing the circular economy throughout October!

It’s been inspiring to see so many engaging events, creative campaigns, important conversations, and informative resources shared online. Your enthusiasm and commitment continue to demonstrate the growing momentum behind circular solutions and the collective action driving us toward a more circular, resilient future.

While Circular Economy Month may be wrapping up, the conversation doesn’t end here. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we share campaign highlights, event recaps, and more inspiring content to keep the momentum going.

Catch up on our recent webinars:

Circular Approaches to AI and Digital Services: Tackle Escalating Operating Costs

On September 29, Circular Innovation Council (CIC) launched its three-part Circular Strategies for Digital Resilience webinar series, supported by TCO Development as a Knowledge Partner. The first session brought together international experts to explore how organizations can better understand, measure and manage the resources behind their digital services.

Hosted by Jo-Anne St. Godard and Katie Motta of the Circular Innovation Council, the discussion featured Max Schulze, Director of Leitmotiv Digital; Leonieke Mevius, Sustainable IT Advisor at the Municipality of Amsterdam; and Barton Finn, Purchasing Engagement Manager at TCO Development.

The Power of Sharing: Circular Solutions for Building Affordable, Connected Communities

Earlier this month, Circular Innovation Council hosted a webinar that explored how the sharing economy – a model where access replaces ownership – transforms the way we consume, spend money, and connect with our communities. From lending platforms to libraries, sharing solutions are making essential items more accessible, often at little or no cost. These models not only reduce financial strain for individuals and families but also contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy by maximizing the use of existing resources.

This session featured different examples of community sharing initiatives in Canada and the positive impacts they’ve made in their communities. We also examined opportunities that local governments can play in supporting these initiatives to help build healthier, equitable, and resource-efficient cities.

The webinar featured speakers from: Region of York, Vaughan Public Library, Lend-It, Halifax Tool Library, and Equip Sport.

Missed it live? Watch the recording on YouTube

Early Bird Registration for CCES 2027

CIC members and groups of 2+ receive discounts on all tickets, including Early Bird, contact us for more information, BEFORE registering.

Building off the event’s past success, CCES 2027 will continue to be a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and actionable strategies toward achieving circularity in Canada. We look forward to gathering delegates from all corners of the country with international experts and practitioners from around the world.

The return of the milk bottle

In 2024, the Circular Innovation Council launched Reuse Ottawa with Sobeys and Farm Boy, Metro, Walmart Canada and a collection of logistics and service companies. Instead of each retailer operating its own system, the companies joined one shared network: customers could borrow reusable food containers without an upfront deposit that are tracked digitally, dropped at participating return locations, professionally washed and redistributed.

The collaboration is the key. Earlier reusable container experiments tended to be small and brand-specific, says Shannon Lavalley, reuse program director at the Circular Innovation Council. But a container that can only be returned to one store is far less useful than one circulating through a network.

As costs rise, community efforts are changing focus from waste reduction to affordability

Caitlin Perry, senior manager of education and communications at Circular Innovation Council, a national non-profit that promotes the circular economy, says programs once framed around reducing waste are increasingly presented as ways to help people save money.

“The cost saving is really the ultimate driver of why people are participating in these types of initiatives,” Perry says.

NEWS

Proposed Amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and the Blue Box Regulation

Ontario is seeking feedback on potential changes to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) and the Blue Box Regulation (O. Reg. 391/21). These changes were introduced in the Legislature on October 27, 2026, as part of the Building Ontario Faster Act.

The proposed amendments have been posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) for a 30-day consultation period (October 27 – November 26, 2026).

How a standard for container washing is helping make safe reuse possible

Learn how Friendlier’s experience contributed to the development of the standard RES-002:25/CSA R303:25 on reusable container washing and sanitizing to help organizations design safer, scalable, and more efficient reuse options.

MEMBER UPDATES

We want to say a big thank you to our new member that joined us in September 2026. Thank you for becoming a part of our fast growing membership here at Circular Innovation Council!

The Recycle Systems Company

The Recycle Systems Company (RSC) Inc. is an integrated waste management corporation with a concentration on recycling technology and options. In over 25 years of operations RSC has developed methodologies for effective management of common household aerosols to the less common CFC and Freon cylinders.

Up Marketing

Up Marketing is a full service, sustainability focused marketing consultancy. We offer marketing strategy, media planning and buying, Google Adwords and Facebook campaigns, press promotion, brand development and the design and production of advertising and promotional material. We serve commercial, institutional and NGO clients in Canada, the US and Europe.

Competence Flexible
Packaging Inc.

At Competence Flexible Packaging Inc., we are a team of packaging specialists dedicated to shaping the future of your products. From eco-design and circular economy principles to selecting the most suitable materials, we offer solutions tailored to your every need.

UL Standards & Engagement

At UL Standards & Engagement, we believe safety and innovation go hand-in-hand. We develop and advocate for standards, the criteria used to ensure products, services, and systems work as safely as possible for you.