Imagine a world where businesses and communities thrive, and where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Comprised of 17 interconnected goals serving as a roadmap for a more sustainable and equitable future, this vision isn’t just a dream—it’s the foundation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint adopted by the United Nations to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, from climate action to responsible consumption.
March marks SDG Awareness Month, the perfect time to reflect on how we can accelerate progress toward these important goals.
A not-for-profit with 42 years of history as the Recycling Council of Ontario, Circular Innovation Council (CIC) has been leading progress on many SDGs in Canada since it expanded nationally in 2020. With a mission to advance a circular economy—where resources are reused, repurposed, and regenerated instead of discarded, the Council’s work aligns directly with SDGs such as Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12) and Climate Action (Goal 13).
By rethinking how we use materials, innovate across industries, and design waste out of the system, circular practices are proving to be a powerful solution for sustainable development—and people’s wallets!
But how exactly do the SDGs and circular innovation intersect? And what can we do—whether as individuals, businesses, or policymakers—to make a tangible impact? Let’s dive into a closer look on how the Council’s work aligns with SDGs.
Circular Innovation Council’s Top SDG Picks:
No Poverty (SDG #1)
End poverty in all forms everywhere by ensuring equal access to resources, opportunities, and social protection.
The Share Reuse Repair Hub amplifies hyper-local sharing, repair, and reuse initiatives and businesses, which helps participating communities—and particularly low-income communities—gain access to affordable services. Nothing is cheaper than free, which most repair cafés are! If you live in York Region or Peel Region (or Durham Region, coming soon!), bookmark the Hub’s Event page to keep up to date on upcoming repair cafes.
How you can take action: If your community is part of the Share Reuse Repair Hub consider submitting your favorite local small businesses such as repair shops, and equipment-sharing hubs, that promote a circular economy. If your community isn’t yet part of the Hub, make sure to submit an Expression of Interest form.
Zero Hunger (SDG #2)
Eradicate hunger and malnutrition by promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, and improved nutrition.
By keeping food from going to waste—and by composting the rest—we can keep nutritious food and soil in our communities. The Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program has done just that in Guelph-Wellington and now Strathcona County, rescuing 62,442 meals from the landfill between 2021-2023 and creating 118 cubic yards of compost, among other accomplishments. Learn more about the Food Waste Program and its connection to the SDGs here.
How you can take action: Optimize the storage of your perishable food and learn the difference between best-before and expiry dates through resources listed in the Circular Economy Month resource library: Love Food Hate Waste’s Fridge Guide and Best Before Dates page.
Quality Education (SDG #4)
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Circular Economy Month advances this goal by providing free education to the public and organizations about sustainable consumption, waste reduction, circular solutions, and actions everyone can take for the wellbeing of our communities and planet.
How you can take action: Follow Circular Economy Month across social media to learn more about all the aspects of a circular economy and keep up with the latest circular action in Canada on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and BlueSky.
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG #11)
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Several CIC programs contribute to this goal. Food Loss and Waste Initiatives help cities efficiently manage organic waste, reducing environmental impact. Reuse Ottawa strengthens local reuse networks, promoting a consistent culture of circularity. Meanwhile, Circular Procurement supports greener urban supply chains, fostering a more resilient resource-efficient economy.
How you can take action: Host or participate in community initiatives that make your neighbourhood an inclusive and sustainable place! Events like repair cafes and mend-alongs help items stay in the community and out of the landfill.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG #12)
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns by reducing waste and improving resource efficiency.
Circular Economy Month and the Share Reuse Repair Hub are key drivers of this goal, promoting waste reduction, repair, and responsible consumption habits.
How to take action: Where do you spend your money? Do you thrift for clothes only when you need them, or do you buy from fast fashion retailers online? Take Circular Economy Month’s pledge online to get inspiration for how you can make your lifestyle more circular!
Climate Action (SDG #13)
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
All CIC programs support this goal by driving societal change that reduces emissions associated with waste, production, and transportation while promoting circular systems that mitigate climate change.
How to take action: If you’re already reducing your dependency on cars where possible and choosing to eat less meat, consider talking to your neighbours and friends about a circular economy and how they can help make your neighbourhood a more sustainable place to live. While this guide by the Opportunity Agenda is written for engaging with others during difficult holiday conversations the suggestions are still applicable throughout the year.
Life Below Water (SDG #14) and Life on Land (SDG #15)
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity.
Healthy nature provides access to renewable resources and provides “natural capital”—think trees scrubbing the air we breathe, fungi breaking down compost to nourish the soil we use in our farms, oceanic phytoplankton that cycle the food chain and absorb harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Circular Economy Month highlights the environmental impact of waste and overconsumption, encouraging actions that protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
How to take action: Curious to learn more about how nature and business are intertwined? Read the 2020 report from World Economic Forum, Nature Risk Rising: Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business and the Economy. Your voice matters in your workplace—use this bespoke guide, Implementing a Circular Economy: A Workplace Guide to learn about actions you can take as an employee or an employer to make your workplace more circular.
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG #17)
Strengthen global partnerships to support sustainable development.
Collaboration is central for Circular Procurement. This program empowers governments, businesses, and communities to work together to implement sustainable purchasing strategies that promote circularity. By fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and encouraging knowledge-sharing, Circular Procurement supports the creation of global networks committed to advancing this SDG, ensuring long-term success in the transition towards a circular economy.
How to take action: Do you work in government procurement? Get started with buying circular using these resources developed by Circular Innovation Council.
How to Progress SDGs in Canada
Individuals are welcome to become members of Circular Innovation Council for the latest news and events! All proceeds from membership go to support CIC, Canada’s leading national circular economy charity.
A sustainable future is within our reach—one in which communities and economies flourish without compromising the health of our planet. Circularity isn’t just a concept—rather, it’s a movement that is reshaping industries, creating jobs, and building resilient cities. As we continue to move through this month, and align our efforts with SDGs beyond March, each action we take moves us closer to a world where sustainability is the standard, not the exception.
Note: The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.