Circular Innovation Council (CIC) has been putting circular economy concepts into action in Canada since 1978, including through a variety of programs like Circular Economy Month, which takes place every October. As a proud collaborator and a circular economy supporter, we spoke with CIC to tell their story and share insights on Circular Economy Month.
There’s been a groundswell of awareness and support for a circular economy in recent years as a sustainable alternative to the traditional “take-make-waste” economy, thanks to the incredible work of world-changing individuals and organizations, such as Circular Innovation Council.
First established as Recycling Council of Ontario in 1978, Circular Innovation Council (CIC) began with a focus on a more environmental and economical way of redefining waste and reintegrating it back into production as valued resources. Today, CIC is progressing the circular economy through a variety of national programs, pilots, and events, including the Canadian Circular Economy Summit, Circular Economy Month, and many more.
As big fans and collaborators of Circular Innovation Council, including the first-ever issue of Circular Economy Magazine, made in collaboration with CIC and Circular Economy Leadership Canada, we are thrilled to partner with them again to tell their story and share insights on Circular Economy Month, which takes place every October.
Keep reading for our exclusive interview with Circular Innovation Council.
Circular Economy Month is a national campaign every October that celebrates and promotes circular solutions. Practices like sharing, reusing, repairing, and recycling are important because they highlight how, as a society, we need to transition from a “take-make-waste” model of consumption to one that keeps resources in use longer. Everyday actions, big and small, can make our communities more sustainable and resilient. It’s an annual invitation to learn, take action, and celebrate progress.
Circular Economy Month is an evolution of the Waste Reduction Week in Canada campaign that we activated with partners across the country in October every year since 2001. The momentum started in the mid-1980s, when recycling councils and municipalities started coming together to coordinate recycling education and collection events.
Over the years, Waste Reduction Week became an annual celebration and reminder to take action, engaging thousands of Canadians across the country each year. In 2022, we expanded it into Circular Economy Month to reflect a bigger vision and keep the momentum going longer than one week.
Our mission is to put circular economy concepts into action, and the Circular Economy Month campaign helps us do that. The goal of the campaign is to promote action, inspire innovation, and celebrate our successes.
Our favourite moments are always seeing communities come together to plan events that promote circular action — from repair cafés to swap events to public art installations. As the organizers of the campaign, we’re always thrilled by all the creative and impactful initiatives that organizations and governments implement each year!
This year, our main goal is to highlight how circularity strengthens communities and builds economic resilience. We want people to see that it’s not just about the environment; it’s about an entire systems change that strengthens local supply chains/economies, creates jobs, builds skills, and makes life more affordable. By spotlighting stories and solutions from across Canada, we hope to inspire people to take action in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
The daily themes were started during Waste Reduction Week 2017, and over the years, have become a very popular part of the campaign, as they help participants focus their education and communications efforts. Each weekday educates on key material streams, and the weekend promotes hands-on action, like swap events, repair cafes, and community sharing.
There are so many ways to participate. Individuals can start small: repairing something instead of replacing it, organizing a swap with friends, or choosing reused or recycled products. Organizations can join by hosting events, engaging employees through activities like the Circular Canada challenge, and joining the conversation on social media using the program hashtag #CircularEconomyMonth. A great first step is visiting circulareconomymonth.ca, where you’ll find promotional resources, ideas, events, and educational information about the circular economy.
This October, expect to see a mix of local community events, webinars, and inspiring social media content. The 2025 campaign theme is “A Stronger Community for All,” which will focus on the socioeconomic benefits of circularity as a solution to build stronger communities, strengthen Canada’s supply chains, and make life more affordable for Canadians. Follow along through the hashtag #CircularEconomyMonth to see educational content and videos that highlight community action across the country!
We are also running a Circular Canada challenge that calls on Canadians to take a series of circular actions throughout the month of October.
One of the biggest barriers is the way that our current systems — from how products are designed to how waste is managed — are still built around a “take-make-waste” model. Shifting to a circular economy requires collaboration, new infrastructure, policies, and business models, as well as public awareness and behaviour change. The good news is that momentum is growing, and campaigns like Circular Economy Month help build the transition by showing what’s possible.
We see it continuing to grow as Canada’s leading platform for educating about the circular economy and encouraging action at every level. As more Canadians, governments, and organizations embrace circularity in their daily lives, policies, and business models, we’ll have more stories to share. Our future is about making circular solutions mainstream and celebrating Canada’s progress.
Looking to attend purpose-driven events? Sparx has compiled a list of networking and learning opportunities taking place in July, August, and September.
Read More View blog postIn April, we travelled to Montréal to attend the Canadian Circular Economy Summit, a key event focused on accelerating Canada’s transition to a circular economy. From the launch of Circular Economy Magazine to thought-provoking panels, workshops, and immersive experiences, here are our key highlights.
Read More View blog postLa Ville de Montréal mobilise ses acteurs locaux pour faire progresser l’économie circulaire. Découvrez leur mission dans cette entrevue exclusive avec Marie-Andrée Mauger, membre du Comité exécutif, parue dans Circular Economy Magazine.
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