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Circular Innovation Council is registered charity and non-profit delivering projects, programs, and policy advocacy since 1978. We rely on grants, membership, and donations from changemakers like you to support our mission to put circular economy concepts into action.
We are committed to helping Canada transition from a traditional linear take-make-waste economic model toward a circular, more sustainable and climate resilient future. We celebrate our members’ reinvigorated ideas, accomplishments, challenges, unique viewpoints, and innovations. There are several ways to support and get involved in our work.
We invite you to become a member, where you’ll join a dedicated network driving meaningful change, with exclusive updates, industry insights and news, and opportunities to engage in our circular initiatives and programs.
Members also receive great discounts on training courses, webinars, and ticket prices to impactful events like the biannual Canadian Circular Economy Summit.
We also welcome donations to Circular Innovation Council as a whole or to specific programs and initiatives listed below. A tax receipt will be provided for all donations over $20. Donations can be made directly though PayPal or please reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
Our mission is driven through programs and pilots that are made possible by support from our community. Explore our programs below and opportunities to donate or sponsor. To donate to a specific program please reach out to the Program Contact.
Canada’s public awareness campaign dedicated to educating and empowering Canadians to support an economy that delivers on the most important values of Canadians: protecting the planet and prioritizing people.
Every October thousands of Canadian businesses, governments, schools, and individuals from coast to coast participate through online engagement and local events. Donations and sponsorships allow us to create educational content, attend events, and deliver the national program that’s been activated every October since 2001.
A community-based tool that connects residents with local share-reuse-repair organizations, programs, and services across cities and regions to increase awareness and foster engagement. The tool is currently available in York and Peel Regions in Ontario and we plan to expand across the country. Your support will help us bring the tool to more communities.
Our online repository that gathers information to educate, engage, and empower action of the issue of plastic waste. Your support helps us keep the resource up to date with the most recent plastics related news, policy advancements, resources, and research.
RESCUE. RECOVER. RENEW.
This pilot model is designed to group neighbouring establishments together to efficiently consolidate food waste collections, reduce costs, greenhouse gases, and waste. Starting in Guelph-Wellington we have since expanded to Alberta in Strathcona County, and the Town of Westlock.
This pilot is a unique collaborative reusable container pilot program with major Canadian grocery retailers – Metro, Sobeys, Farm Boy, and Walmart – with the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the City of Ottawa and other service partners.
We are confident that this program will set a new standard for reusable packaging in the food service industry, furthering Canada’s collective efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
CircularProcurement.ca showcases a global depth of information for professionals across a variety of functions and industries to access: guidance and best practice, business models, policies and frameworks, tools, and case studies from around the world and for various spend categories.
PROCURE4CIRCULAR, CONSULTING, RESEARCH, ETC.
Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) drives circularity through organizations, supply chains, and material streams with its trail-blazing and targeted systems-change programming. It supports collaboration, innovation, policy, and education, which are all enablers of the circular economy.
Circular Innovation Council offers Waste Auditor Training sessions, which are based on a Standard Waste Audit Method that supports development in key areas. Included is: Waste Auditor Certificate, Two days of instruction and related workshops, Hands-on Waste Audit, Circular Innovation Council Standard Waste Audit Method, Handbook and in-class training materials, and Networking with other waste auditing professionals.
3RCertified is a showcase for organizations that take a leadership position in waste reduction and diversion. Properties are awarded certification on the bases of total points earned, and verified through an on-site third-party evaluation.
As a proud sponsor of Circular Economy Month through the Circular Innovation Council, Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC) is dedicated to advancing sustainability and supporting a circular economy for beverage containers. Each year, ABCRC processes over 2 billion containers, reinforcing Alberta’s position as a leader in beverage container recycling.
ABCRC manages the collection and recycling of more than 150,000 different types of regulated, non-refillable beverage containers, ensuring they are transformed into new products. Many of these containers are recycled back into new beverage containers, while others are repurposed into long-lasting products like house insulation or park benches, promoting resource efficiency and extended product life cycles.
By sponsoring Circular Economy Month, ABCRC highlights the critical role of recycling innovations and encourages communities and businesses to reduce their environmental footprint. Our efforts not only prevent waste but also create economic opportunities by keeping materials in continuous use.
Together with the Circular Innovation Council, ABCRC is committed to advancing a sustainable future by promoting responsible beverage container recycling and building a stronger, more resilient circular economy for Alberta and beyond.
Lori, Koebel,
Director, Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations
HP Canada has been a member of Circular Innovation Council for over 20 years. We believe that our support of Circular Innovation Council aligns with our values, taking action on long-standing issues, and driving future solutions through circular procurement to unlock Canada’s circular economy.
Being a member of CIC has provided invaluable knowledge and opportunities. It has also reinforced our commitment to our circular economy priorities of achieving 75% circularity for our products and packaging by 2030.
As an environmental services provider focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability in Canada, our mission at Circular Partners is to enhance the Circular Economy, by cutting embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions while creating economic opportunities. Our core business is divided into three areas: Material Recovery, REUSE Marketplace and SampleLibrary.
As a member of the Circular Innovation Council since its inception, our membership has been invaluable to us. The platform has provided us with the tools, resources, and knowledge we need to deepen our impact and accelerate our efforts toward a circular economy. Through access to the latest industry research, case studies, and expert-led webinars, we have gained actionable insights that directly inform our sustainability strategies and initiatives.
Our membership offers unparalleled access to resources, networks, and expertise that are essential for making a meaningful and lasting impact on the community and planet.
As a proud member of the Circular Innovation Council, Goodwash Soap Inc. has seen the significant advantages that come with membership for businesses committed to a sustainable future. Being included in the Council’s Member Profile and Share, Reuse, Repair Hub Directories has increased our brand visibility, connecting us with organizations and individuals who share our dedication to minimizing waste and promoting circular economy principles. The CIC’s webinars and newsletters have equipped us with valuable insights and practical knowledge, helping us stay updated on new opportunities in the circular economy. Overall, our membership with the CIC has become an essential resource for the development of Goodwash Soap’s brand and mission. We appreciate the opportunities it offers and eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration to foster positive change in the consumer goods sector.
Susana Farrell,
Founder, Goodwash Soap Inc.
As a proud member of the Circular Innovation Council, Robust Recycling has greatly benefited from the CIC’s exceptional federal-level insights and guidance on Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics market research and procurement strategies for complex healthcare projects aimed at revolutionizing the circular economy in the Canadian healthcare system.
The CIC’s member awareness strategy regarding national standards and regulations has illuminated our path, helping us navigate the complexities of compliance and innovation within the recycling sector. Their unique influence in the circular economy positions them as a vital partner in our journey toward the successful implementation of pilot projects in BC and across Canadian healthcare systems.
Furthermore, the CIC’s commitment to innovation and collaboration not only enhances our operations but also inspires us to strive for excellence in our recycling efforts. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Circular Innovation Council and wholeheartedly recommend their services to any organization looking to make a meaningful impact in the circular economy.
Rose Alipour, MSc,
BC Sales Support Manager,
Circular Economy Department,
Robust Recycling
At Wilfrid Laurier University, our commitment to fostering sustainable practices and embracing circular economy principles has taken significant strides in 2023-24. Through innovative partnerships, community-focused initiatives, and actionable goals, we have advanced waste management and circularity as pillars of our sustainability efforts. This includes our annual membership into the Circular Innovation Council, which we started in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, in collaboration with My Green Lab, Laurier championed sustainable research practices, certifying laboratories to reduce waste and optimize resource efficiency. This initiative fosters a culture of environmental stewardship among our research community, setting new standards for green science in academia.
The Laurier Freestore, a student-led circular initiative, continued to thrive as a hub for rehoming gently used items, promoting reuse and reducing the need for new purchases. This aligns perfectly with Laurier’s philosophy of waste as a resource rather than a problem. This program diverted over 5,000 lbs of materials in 2023-24 along with providing weekly access to a permanent Freestore setup at both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses.
To address single-use plastic waste, Laurier piloted reusable food ware programs (Friendlier) on campus in 2022-23 and 2023-24. These programs have reduced dependency on disposable containers, paving the way for scalable, reusable systems across our dining services.
Eric Meliton,
Wilfrid Laurier University,
Circular Innovation Council is a registered charity.
Charity Registration Number: 119112118 RR 0001
