Key Takeaways From the 2025 Canadian Circular Economy Summit

How do we accelerate Canada’s transition to a circular economy? That’s the challenge and opportunity that brought changemakers together for the Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES).

In April, Sparx Publishing Group team members Hamish Khamisa, President, Alexandra Nikitina, Head of Growth, and Meghan O’Neil, Copywriter, travelled to Montréal to attend this year’s summit, organized by Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and the Circular Innovation Council (CIC). The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to share strategies and align sustainability efforts on a national scale, all working toward the common goal of advancing the circular economy.

This marked Sparx’s second time attending the summit, and it was our most involved yet. Keep scrolling for key highlights, from the launch of Circular Economy Magazine to top takeaways from panels, workshops, and immersive textile and sensory experiences that brought circularity to life.

Advancing Canada’s Circular Economy 

The sold-out, three-day CCES welcomed over 900 delegates and 550+ organizations from across sectors and industries. The summit featured a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, solution-focused panels, thematic workshops, cross-industry roundtables, and immersive experiences, all aimed at accelerating Canada’s transition to a circular economy.

As highlighted by the Council of Canadian Academies’ Turning Point: The Expert Panel on the Circular Economy in Canada report, Canada is among the world’s highest consumers of materials, energy, and water, with 73% of its waste ending up in landfills or incinerators. The urgency to reduce waste, shift toward circularity, and redesign our current economic system is clear. For Canada, adopting a circular economy model is a critical pathway toward environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and social equity.

Showcasing Sparx’s Mission at the Summit

As an official sponsor, Sparx was proud to play an active role in this year’s event. Our dedicated networking lounge served as a hub for dialogue, idea exchange, and meaningful connection between sessions. We welcomed entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders, helping to spark new conversations and collaborations.

At the summit, we also launched the inaugural edition of Circular Economy Magazine, presented by Sparx’s Make The World Better Magazine and published in collaboration with CELC and the CIC. This new publication spotlights the exceptional organizations, governments, and businesses driving awareness and adoption of circular economy practices across Canada. To celebrate the launch, we hosted an intimate dinner at LOV in Montréal, bringing together contributors and supporters to reflect on the magazine’s debut and the momentum built during three impactful days at the summit.

Learning From Insightful Panels and Workshops

We attended many sessions during the summit, and one standout was the “SME Showcase: Canada’s Circular Economic Engine.” This panel highlighted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of Canada’s economy, which contribute over 50% to the nation’s GDP. Speakers shared how SMEs are driving the shift to a circular economy by designing low-carbon products, rethinking supply chains, and building more resilient business models.

One highlight came from Rashmi Prakash, CEO of Aruna Revolution. Based in Nova Scotia, this company is transforming the disposable hygiene sector with compostable, high-performance natural fibres. Rashmi shared how her background in biomedical engineering and sustainable materials helped shape a company that’s securing major funding, launching B2B partnerships, and pushing an industry toward regenerative design. Her energy and vision for scaling circular solutions left a lasting impression on us.

Another highlight was the panel, “Tech-Driven Transformation: Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for a Circular Economy,” which explored how emerging technologies like AI, robotics, digital platforms, and bio-based materials are driving new circular business models. Eric Camirand, CEO of Waste Robotics, spoke about transforming the recycling industry through AI-powered robotic solutions that are redefining efficiency and sustainability. His passion for automation and his vision for scaling smart waste management globally underscored the critical role technology will play in building a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

One thought-provoking session was “Identity Crisis: The First Step in Solving for Textile Circularity,” which tackled one of the biggest challenges in the textile industry: understanding what garments are truly made of. Amelia Eleiter, Co-Founder and CEO of Debrand, shared how the complexity of modern textiles, often made from mixed materials and adorned with embellishments, makes recycling and reuse difficult. Amelia’s insight into solving the “identity crisis” was a standout moment. Her take on how brands need to rethink how they design, use, and repurpose products, including sharing Debrand’s journey into circular economy initiatives, was definitely a highlight.

Understanding the Impact of Textiles and Apparel

The Textiles & Apparel Track, hosted by Fashion Takes Action, was a transformative conference held alongside the summit and focused on advancing circularity specifically in the textiles and apparel industry. With 85% of textiles ending up in landfills, these sessions were well-attended, with many delegates eager to explore sustainable practices, ecodesign frameworks, circular business models, and innovations in recycling and materials. Discussions also delved into policy development, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and extended producer responsibility (EPR).

To see circular design in action, we got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Cirque du Soleil’s Atelier, where over 400 artisans create more than 25,000 pieces for their performances. This rare experience gave us insight into their textile innovations, intricate dyeing techniques, and sustainable garment life cycles. The tour also included a visit to Vestechpro’s mechanical recycling facility, where textiles are transformed into new materials, along with a lab focused on testing garment durability and performance.

Experiencing Circularity Through Five Senses

RECYC-QUÉBEC hosted a special edition of its Québec Circular Economy Conference during the summit. ​Under the theme “Experience the Circular Economy Through Your Five Senses,” this unique event offered a hands-on perspective on circularity across sectors, led by a provincial organization managing recycling and recovery programs.

At the Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle (CTTÉI) booth, we were able to touch a fascinating library of materials and objects produced through circular strategies. One standout was the wave-breaking concrete blocks made from crushed clam, lobster, and crab shells, created at CTTÉI’s pilot production plant in the Magdalen Islands, Québec. As part of its Green Concrete program, this innovative use of residual materials saves virgin raw materials and offers a more economical alternative to importing.

We also had the chance to taste food products made through circular strategies, with delicious offerings from La Transformerie, The Pretty Ugly Company, and more. A unique standout was TriCycle, a Montréal-based edible insect farm, which creates sustainable snacks using by-products from the agri-food sector, organic fertilizer, and more. It was eye-opening (and surprisingly tasty!) to see how these companies are innovating in food production while supporting sustainability.

Applying Key Takeaways to Future Strategy

The summit left us energized and optimistic about Canada’s potential to lead the circular transition. While the work is well underway, collaboration across businesses, governments, and organizations is crucial to unlocking its full potential.

This experience also reinforced our belief that content is a catalyst for change and that storytelling belongs in the sustainability space. We’re inspired to integrate circular thinking into even more of our own creative and strategic processes, driving impact both within our work and the broader community.

Ready to tell your circular story? Sparx can turn your vision into impact. Contact us for a free marketing consultation today.