Circular Economy Month

Do you live in Toronto, Ontario? The City of Toronto is exploring ways to transition to a circular economy and would like to hear from you!

The Circular Economy Road Map is an ambitious 10-year plan to turn Toronto into the first "circular city" in Ontario. The city is working in partnership with residents, community organizations, and industry partners to make this vision a reality.

Want to contribute to a better future for Toronto? Submit your survey by July 28th: https://tinyurl.com/cmh7bne2

City of Toronto

♻️ Happy ! You can keep up to date with recent plastic policies, statistics, strategic frameworks, research, and more with CIC's Plastic Action Centre!

Plastic Action Centre offers:
🔵 Updated news, research, etc., about all things plastic, nationally & internationally
🔵Share your plastic news or resources with us
🔵 Ask an Expert any of your plastic-related questions

Visit https://plasticactioncentre.ca/ for more info.

Join us this and make a difference! 🌍💚 Ditch single-use plastics, bring your reusable bags, bottles, and containers, and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can reduce plastic waste and protect our planet for future generations. Let’s take action today for a cleaner, greener tomorrow!

For more resources concerning plastic, check out 's Plastic Action Centre at PlasticActionCentre.ca. 🌐

Soumettez un sondage rapide pour courir la chance de gagner un ensemble de produits réutilisables d'une valeur de plus de 160 $CAN, gracieuseté de Fenigo !

Le prix comprend :

🟢 Bouteille EcoVessel 24 oz
🟢 Sac à sandwich Colibri
🟢 Ensemble en bambou To-Go Ware
🟢 Banana Guard
🟢 ChicoBag Vita Bag

Nous visons toujours à améliorer le mois de l'économie circulaire chaque année. Pour participer au tirage au sort, donnez votre avis sur le Mois de l'économie circulaire via l'enquête Google Form: https://circulareconomymonth.ca/fr/vos-commentaires-participez/

Tout le monde est invité à participer, quel que soit son degré de connaissance de la campagne. Et le plus beau (à part le prix, bien sûr !), c'est que cela ne prend que 6 minutes ! Allez jusqu'à la fin de l'enquête pour trouver une possibilité de participation bonus et le prix pourrait bien être le vôtre.

Submit a quick survey for a chance to win a reusables package valued over $160 CAD, courtesy of Fenigo!

Prize goodies:

🟢 24 oz EcoVessel Bottle
🟢 Colibri Sandwich Bag
🟢 To-Go Ware Bamboo Set
🟢 Banana Guard
🟢 ChicoBag Vita Bag

We always aim to improve Circular Economy Month every year. To enter the prize draw, provide your input about Circular Economy Month via the the Google Form survey: https://forms.gle/gJTFvNTpnHLqxgyq9

Everyone is welcome to participate, no matter how familiar with the campaign you are. And the best part (other than the prize, that is!) is that it only takes about 6 minutes! Make it to the end of the survey to find a bonus entry opportunity and the prize package might just be yours.

Did you know summer officially began on June 20th, the longest day of the year?

This astronomical event occurs when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun, making it a perfect day to celebrate the warmth, light, and vibrancy that summer brings!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing tips on how to have a . From reducing single-use plastic waste to choosing the best equipment to camp sustainably, we've covered all the ways you can enjoy the season while being kind to our planet. 🌍✨

Missed any of our posts? You can find a comprehensive article outlining all of our circular summer tips on the Circular Economy Month website: https://circulareconomymonth.ca/circular-summer-tips/

For the last installment of tips for a Circular Summer, let's take a look at camping and hiking! 🏕

Top tips:
☀ Consider carpooling when travelling with others.
☀ Skip prepackaged snacks. Make your own trail mix, granola bars, muffins, and portion into reusable containers or snack bags. If you don’t have time to bake, purchase them from your local zero-waste stores or bakeries with containers to pack away loose treats.
☀ Help keep our natural areas clean. Recycle, compost, or dispose of any waste you produce while outdoors. If no receptacles are available on the trail, pack it out with you.
☀ Did you know not all soaps are created equal? Find out which soaps are the least harmful for environmental release and learn best cleaning and hygiene practices while camping.
☀ Pack reusable dishes and cutlery instead of plastic.
☀ Purchase quality, durable gear that will last for years. If you don’t camp very often, consider borrowing equipment from a friend or renting what you need from an equipment store.
☀ A water filter system can eliminate the need to bring plastic bottles of water on your trip if camping nearby a natural body of water. A gravity filter is the easiest to use of the filtration systems on the market – just set it up and let gravity do the work. It can filter non-potable water from rivers or lakes into drinkable water on the spot!

Did we forget any important tips? Share yours in the comments!

🚗🚴‍♀️ Being on the road and away from home can often mean generating more waste and having a higher environmental footprint.

The following tips can help you reduce your impact and have a more circular summer!

☀ Bring a reusable coffee thermos and water bottle with you. If you forget your reusables often, why not prepare a travel-dedicated tote bag with your reusables ready to go? If you travel by car, leave it in your trunk so it’s always with you.
☀ Bonus tip: choose dishwasher friendly reusable beverage containers so they’re even easier to clean between uses.
☀ If available, use public transport and bicycle sharing programs.
☀ Ice cream: choose cones instead of plastic bowls and spoons so you can eat the container! If you don’t like cones, ask for a reusable bowl.
☀ Are there local low-waste stores along your travels? Check the Share, Reuse, Repair Hub (ShareReuseRepairHub.ca) to explore circular, sustainable businesses and events. Is the area you’re traveling through not listed on the platform? Use your voice to help the platform expand by expressing your interest: https://tinyurl.com/khua7k7v

York Region (The Regional Municipality of York) Region of Peel

As you gear up to enjoy the upcoming summer months, plan these classic summertime experiences sustainably. Get inspired by these circular tips!

Today, we're looking at sustainable parties and picnics:

☀ Avoid purchasing single-use plastic dishes, cups, and cutlery. Reusable serveware you already own is the most sustainable option for packing up foods to go.
☀ Skip pre-packaged foods and pack your own.
☀ Pack it up: food sent to landfill rots instead of composting and releases methane (CH4) in the process, a gas that is more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide (CO2). Instead of throwing leftover food in municipal garbage bins, take it home to sort it into your municipal organic waste, or add it to your home composter if you have one. Make sure to bring a container for scraps with you and a cloth napkin or reusable paper towel to wipe dishes.
☀ Make sustainable décor choices. You can make your own reusable décor by upcycling materials or collecting natural botanicals like pinecones. Not interested in crafts? Local artisans at your farmer’s market might be selling exactly what you’re looking for to add a little flair!
☀ Avoid the use of straws or bring reusable ones.
☀ Barbeques: consider using a wooden scraper instead of a bristled brush to clean your grill.
☀ Reduce the impact of your food by trying out vegetarian or vegan options.

Do you have any important tips to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

Today is !

This year's theme is drought, desertification, and land degradation. Such environmental degradation also affects our societal wellbeing and economic stability, where the impoverished are the most impacted.

Land degradation threatens human rights to life, health, food, water and a healthy environment. 🌱

Here at home, Canada has been experiencing severe droughts.

The good news is that countries are making progress in delivering on their commitments under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Together, countries have vowed to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land and make similar commitments for marine and coastal areas.

The Canadian Government has committed to conserve 30% of Canada's lands and oceans by 2030.

For practical tips and tools on how to reduce your impact as an individual, a school, or a business, check out their pollution prevention resource finder: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollution-prevention.html

We can be the generation that finally makes peace with land. We can be .

Environment and Climate Change United Nations

The Share, Reuse, Repair Hub has expanded recently... and is now expanding into its own set of channels!

Support this Canadian platform by giving us a follow at on Instagram and Facebook. We'll share local events listings like repair cafes, business listings to help you make sustainable choices, and ways to learn more about share, reuse, and repair! 🛠🌎

York Region (The Regional Municipality of York) Region of Peel

💸 Buying things you won't use frequently can get expensive quick. Luckily, libraries have you covered.

Ever heard of the Library of Things, or a lendery? It's a program often run by libraries where you can borrow more than just books. Check to see if your local library operates a Library of Things. If not, let them know you're interested!

Richmond Hill Public Library is opening a lendery this spring. If you're in the area, check it out! https://www.rhpl.ca/library-of-things

York Region (The Regional Municipality of York) Richmond Hill Public Library

Food for thought: 33% of food produced globally is wasted or lost every year. When food rots in a landfill, it expels greenhouse gases that contribute to .

Since today is , let's get inspired to take action together.
Take a bite out of your food waste today with these tips from Stop Food Waste Day!

🟢 Plan ahead and don't over-buy. Use up what's in your fridge and pantry.
🟢 Plan your meals.
🟢 Make a list before you shop.
🟢 The freezer is your best friend. Batch-cook and freeze portions.
🟢 Freeze bread and other leftovers.
🟢 Label items with the date and use them in order.
🟢 Get creative! Experiment with what you have in the fridge.
🟢 Try making bubble and squeak or colourful frittatas from leftovers.
🟢 Use odd bits of vegetables to make wholesome soups.

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Today is , a day that reminds us of our obligations to revitalize the environment and reduce our impact for the sake of future generations.

Whether you celebrate today or have been celebrating throughout April, the Circular Economy Month team thanks you for making a difference.

Finally, a thank-you to our 2023 sponsor Call2Recycle Recycle Your Batteries Canada for supporting our work. Find a blog post authored by Call2Recycle for Earth Day at https://tinyurl.com/mw58dt7v .

It's not too late for our communities to become resilient in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. By taking action, organizing events, sharing knowledge, increasing equity, rethinking design, and making smarter food choices, everyone can contribute to a sustainable today for a stronger tomorrow. 🌎

Circular Economy Month is seeking partners and sponsors to help us continue to enable change by empowering Canadians with circular economy knowledge and opportunities.

Will you step up to support the program this year? For inquiries, please reach out through DMs or email us at [email protected].

Do you know what Value Retention Processes (VRPs) are? 💡

A VRP is an activity like repair that extends the lifecycle of our items and keeps them in the economy. 🔧 Other activities can enhance the value of our items too, such as refurbishment and comprehensive refurbishment. Swipe through to learn more!

Your phone helps you capture memories. It’s your turn to help your phone live longer and save money in the process!

People have many options when it comes to repairing their electronic devices, they can or you can go to Certified repair destination like Mobile Klinik who has repaired over 700,000 devices to date, saving you from having to buy a new device and reducing our carbon footprint.

If you're not a certified repair technician or don't have the confidence to tackle a repair yourself, Mobile Kliniks offers a wide range of repair services in 150+ locations across Canada. They also have a Device Checkup app available for download that can diagnose issues with your device and help you optimize it!

For more information on the app and to find a location near you, visit mobileklinik.ca. MobileKlinik

Are you ready? 🏁 Save the dates for October 2024 to start planning for this year's campaign! www.circulareconomymonth.ca

Got any ideas for events you want to host? Tell us about it to inspire others below! 👇

Repairing the items we use every day prevents usable items and resources from being lost to the landfill. That's why the theme of our communications this month is .

🌎 Repairing our goods provides significant benefits to Canada’s environment, social well-being, and economy. Adopting repair creates jobs, reduces solid waste, and decreases demand for non-renewable materials!

Circular Innovation Council continues to support better access to repair for consumers. Read our report on in Canada here: https://circularinnovation.ca/landscape-review-repairability-canada/

Our friends at Équiterre are working to make consumer practices that focus on reduction at the source, reuse, repair, and sharing more accessible. In 2022, Équiterre conducted a vast Canadian study to find answers to questions like "why don't people repair anymore?" and "why do our appliances break so easily and what can we do about it?". 💭 Read their Report here: https://www.equiterre.org/en/initiatives/obsolescence-and-access-to-repair

Live in and need to access repair services? Check out CIC’s Share, Repair, Reuse Hub to find local businesses promoting the here: www.ShareReuseRepairHub.ca.

Did you know meatballs are a great way to use up leftovers? 🍴 Here's a great recipe from our friend Christine Tizzard — professional chef, food waste reduction advocate. You can find this recipe and other great waste-reduction recipes in her book, "Cook More, Waste Less: Zero-Waste Recipes to Use Up Groceries, Tackle Food Scraps, and Transform Leftovers", available for purchase from Amazon (not an affiliate link): https://a.co/d/8NLm5YV.

Download this free recipe at CircularEconomyMonth.ca! http://tinyurl.com/2p9k6xcf

"Everyone should know how to make meatballs, or polpette in Italian. It’s an easy recipe using inexpensive ingredients, spiced to your desire, that is comforting to eat. ...They are also a great catchall for little bits and pieces you may have hanging around the kitchen: nuts, seeds, pickles, grated cheese, leftover stuffing or cooked grains or veggies etc. all go great in meatballs."

Did you know? Some types of meat, like red meat (beef 🐄), have a bigger climate footprint than others (fish 🐟). This is because they take more land and resources like water to produce.

Other factors impact your food's footprint, like distance travelled from source to table and farming practices.

Here are some tips to reduce your household's dietary impact:

💚 Explore vegetarian and vegan recipes
💚 Reduce food loss and waste, especially for meat products
💚 Buy local food where possible (which has the added bonus of supporting the local economy!)
💚 Learn how to store food to optimize shelf life
💚 Understand the differences between best before and expiry dates
💚 Purchase in-season produce

Do you have a favourite vegetarian or vegan recipe? Share it below!

Did you know? Putting food scraps in the garbage generates methane - a potent - when it rots in the landfill through a process called anaerobic digestion (aka: digestion without exposure to oxygen).

How can we make # climatefriendly choices when it comes to food loss and waste?

💚 1. Plan meals in advance
💚 2. Use leftovers creatively (shoutout to SkipTheDishes for inspiring us during October 2023!)
💚 3. Put remaining scraps in the organics waste stream for composting
💚 4. Don't have access to an organic waste program? Advocate for organics diversion in your municipality
💚 5. If accessible to you, try composting at home!

Read more about Canada's landfill methane emissions here: http://tinyurl.com/4a46k8ma Environment and Climate Change

As we begin planning Circular Economy Month 2024, have your voice heard! We want to know more about YOU and your story.

Are you proud of participating in Circular Economy Month? We would be honoured to have your testimonial - a quote about your favourite part of the program.

Likewise, feedback is key to improving what we do and how we do it. Anything you have to say, we're here to listen.

If you're up for it, check out the survey. It would mean the world! http://tinyurl.com/3venwbv3 🌎💚

Ever find yourself staring at your waste, wondering what goes in what bin and what some strategies are to reduce waste at home? The University of Toronto Trash Team has great resources to help you get started!

While the official 2024 waste audit challenge has already begun, you can audit your waste anytime using these self-directed resources. Check it out: https://uofttrashteam.ca/homewasteaudit/

Have you ever participated in a waste audit before? What did you find?

We're in the middle of our own waste audit and are surprised at the amount of food packaging waste that can be challenging to avoid!

There's a lot of controversy right now about reusable alternatives encouraging overconsumption!

Purchase reusable swaps mindfully. Ask yourself,
👉 “Do I need another?”
👉 “Will I use this often?”
👉 "Have I been influenced to purchase this?"

🌎 Value Retention Processes (VRPs) help save the environment by extending the lives of our goods! These processes include reuse (through donation, swap event, or selling online), repair, refurbishment, and remanufacture.

🤔 While all VRPs are great for the environment because they divert waste from landfill, which do you think is the most impactful?

📢 We're thrilled to introduce our innovative Reuse Pilot Program with Canada's biggest grocers, starting in City of Ottawa!

🛒 In partnership with major Canadian grocery retailers Metro Ontario, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, we are collaborating to design a first-of-its-kind, collaborative reuse initiative to reduce single use plastic waste.

Starting with a unique reusable food container pilot starting in Ottawa in Spring 2024, this national program will demonstrate scalable, convenient, and permanent solutions to reducing single use plastic packaging through innovative, collaborative reuse models.

Visit our website to learn more (circularinnovation.ca/reuse-pilot-program/) and read the press release now (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/01/17/2811057/0/en/Circular-Innovation-Council-Collaborates-with-Canada-s-Biggest-Grocers-to-Design-an-Innovative-Reuse-Program.html)!



Reusables.com Environment and Climate Change

Last year's Home Waste Audit participants shared that learning waste streams and reusing materials was simple, however finding new products with less packaging was tough! We'll get into that this year, and share tips to help. Join our intro webinar Jan 18 to get started! https://homewasteaudit.eventbrite.com