A circular economy is a model of production, consumption and disposal where byproducts and consumer goods are reused and recycled to make new value-added products. The goal of a circular economy is to reduce or eliminate waste. It’s built on using all byproducts/ materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill, left to decompose, or sold for lower value. The recycling of paper, metal, and plastic goods is a prime example of ‘circularization’ in practice. Upcycling spent grains to make bread is a great way to reduce food waste and create a nutritious product, but these could also be upcycled into more valuable products. However, new technologies are needed to achieve a truly circular economy.

Circular economies exist in contrast to linear economies where resources are extracted and goods are made, sold and ultimately disposed of. Production of goods in a circular economy reduces and repurposes material at all stages of manufacturing and factors in the entire life cycle of a product, embracing the ideals of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, along with Repair and Repurpose.

With vast natural resources and access to biomass, world-leading clean technology research, and strong trade relations, Canada is fully capable of being a leader in the world’s circular economy. The wasteCANcreate program is investing in bio-based technologies that turn common waste byproducts into high-value products like biodegradable plastics, upcycled textiles, food ingredients, and more. Not only does this reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s also creating lasting economic opportunities for Canadian industries.