Launched by Circular Innovation Council, Circular Economy Month is Canada’s first-ever 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.
Circular Innovation Council, a national not-for-profit, believes that by putting circular economy concepts into action through collaboration and inclusion, we discover solutions that preserve nature and design waste out of production and consumption.
Circular Economy Month, held for the first time in October 2022, educated Canadians about the benefits of a circular economy and how they can be part of Canada’s transition to it.
Outcomes
- 50 proclamations from municipalities, provinces, businesses, and other organisations
- 200+ news articles mentioning the 2022 Circular Economy Month & Waste Reduction Week Campaign
- 15 local landmarks lit up blue and green in honour of the celebration
Building on a History of Engagement
For decades, Circular Innovation Council has engaged Canadians from coast to coast to coast to better understand the issues of waste and the opportunities to accelerate our transition to a circular economy.
A circular economy transforms our current take, make, and waste society, offering lifestyles that are connected to the things we care about the most. It protects nature and natural resources, reduces carbon emissions, pollution, and waste, and promotes prosperity for all Canadians.
“We’re delighted with how Canadians embraced our inaugural Circular Economy Month campaign and the concept of circularity,” says Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director of Circular Innovation Council, the facilitating organization leading this campaign. “Meeting Canada’s climate change commitments and broader sustainability goals requires big economic changes actioned by all parts of our society. Whether at work, school, or play, this campaign helps us understand the opportunity to shift our economy through the everyday choices we make.”
The History of Waste Reduction Week
Waste Reduction Week in Canada, the long-running historic predecessor to Circular Economy Month, began in the mid-1980s, when a number of recycling councils and environmental organizations began holding provincial events. In 2001, the national Waste Reduction Week program was formalized by Circular Innovation Council (named Recycling Council of Ontario at the time) who now leads the national campaign with support from a coalition of not-for-profit environmental groups and governments from each of the 13 provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada.
The Circular Economy Month in Canada campaign has become the marquee educational program engaging and empowering Canadians from all corners of the country; youth, educators, policymakers, businesses and communities. For 20 years, Waste Reduction Week focused on the concepts of waste reduction and recycling as a key component of our transition to a circular economy. However, educating Canadians on this new model of consumption involves more than just one week. That’s why Circular Innovation Council extended Waste Reduction Week in Canada beyond the third week of October into Circular Economy Month to educate and excite Canadians about the opportunities and benefits of the circular economy.
Take Action with Us!
When you take action on Circular Economy Month, you’re working towards an economy that delivers on the most important values of Canadians: protecting the planet and prioritizing people. Join us again this October in educating and empowering Canadians to support a circular economy.
From individuals, to businesses, to governments, there are a variety of ways for you to take action. Learn more about how to get involved.
Our Supporters
In 2022, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, supported and declared the month of October as Circular Economy Month in Canada.
2023 Circular Economy Month Champions
2023 CIRCULAR ECONOMY MONTH CHAMPIONS
CIRCULAR ECONOMY MONTH PARTNERS
Implementation Partners
CIRCULAR ECONOMY MONTH PARTNERS
