Circular Economy In Toronto

The concept of a circular economy is a relatively new concept and refers to a renewable industrial economy that consists of a new way of production and design, where resources are maximally used so as not to create waste. Renewable energy sources, less dangerous chemicals, and innovative technologies are used.

The number of organizations and businesses in Toronto that apply the principles of the circular economy concept in their daily operations is increasing. A study called Baselining for a Circular Toronto, measured the level of economic circularity in the city, and found that 88 local community-led business initiatives are already operating according to these principles. These companies and organizations develop a circular economy, increasing social prosperity and reducing negative impacts on the environment, namely by:

• by promoting the recognition of the value of the material used.
• by improving people's awareness to reuse, repair and/or use items made from recycled materials.
• by improving participation in promoting the circular economy (e.g. teaching repair skills, reviving crafts.

Green shop "Bare market"

Popularizing alternative products for body care and household items that do not create waste and do not pollute the environment. Popularization of a store for products without packaging, as well as a store for reusable goods. The mission is to select such products available in the following ways:

• investing in product and source ingredient research to provide less toxic and resource-intensive options.
• by promoting the acquisition and use of products without packaging and reusable products.
• using an alternative business model that includes cooperation with partners to avoid overhead costs and to determine the viability of the business    

Internet green store "Bunz"

The platform Bunz is set up for online trading where users offer and search for used goods and services to trade. Use is encouraged by businesses offering rewards for the trade of their goods and services. Bunz supports Toronto's circular economy by:

• enabling local exchange of used goods.
• disrupting the idea that the economy relies on the production of new products.
• helping people consider the ways in which they might satisfy their wants or needs through an  informal economic system in which the value of both the goods used and the services offered are determined by the users.

Using ‘Feed It Forward’ Food

This is a circular economy action in Toronto to reduce food waste that fill landfills by diverting excess food to various food redistribution programs, which include: special Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) grocery stores, Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) soup bar at Humber College called the IGNITE Soupbar and food and meal donations to food banks and shelters.  Feed It Forward revalues ​​food and supports the circular economy by:

• preventing wastage of resources in the food supply and distribution chain.
• makes food available regardless of people's financial capabilities.

Half the electronics Free Geek Toronto

The company Free Geek collects and repairs used electronics that are intended for recycling or disposal and offers them for resale at an affordable price, extending their life. Free Greek provides employment and training opportunities offering experience in technical software, technology, communications and customer service.  The circular economy is applied here as follows:

• prioritizing reuse and recovery over recycling.
• by providing capacity building for the refurbishment and repair of computer software and technology.

Furniture Bank

Furniture Bank  is a company that generates revenue through its professional furniture removal services and through the sale of quality restored furniture. It develops a circular economy by:

• maintains the quality of furniture in use.
• repairs furniture so that it does not become waste.
• enables people without financial means to have availability to better quality and more durable furniture.

Platform for sharing production resources Material Exchange

Material Exchange  is a platform that facilitates the transport and exchange of surplus materials between businesses and non-profit organizations to divert waste from landfills and support local communities. The program contributes to the circular economy by:

• facilitates local exchanges to keep materials in circulation for longer.
• prevents businesses from dumping excess material, which can reduce their waste management costs.
• provides free materials for groups that are of value to them.

Repair Café Toronto Repair Café

Repair Café  is a local community organization that offers a variety of free repairs in communities across Toronto. This Toronto-based organization is one of over 1,900 Repair Café’s and worldwide in the network Repair Café Foundation is based in Amsterdam, and contributes to the circular economy as follows:

• by keeping household items in use for a long period of time.
• providing free repair services.
• by teaching people how to fix their own things.
• by helping other groups to establish Repair Café’s in their community.
• by advocating for products that should be designed for repair.

Neighborhood exchange Second-Hand Sunday

Second-hand Sunday is a biannual event in which residents of participating neighborhoods encourage others to leave items they no longer want on their lawns for those who need or want them to be picked up. Neighborhood volunteers promote and oversee the event in participating venues. In turn delveloping Toronto's circular economy by:

• promoting cultural sharing in urban communities.
• Making household items useful for a longer period.
• Making used items available to neighbors and local charities without monetary compensation.

Food Transformer - The Spent Goods Company

The Spent Goods  is a food transformer company that reduces food waste by taking spent grain from the craft brewing industry and using it as an ingredient for bread and crackers. The Spеnt Goods Company advances Toronto's circular economy through:

• local supply of healthier food (barley has twice as much fiber as wheat).
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions by keeping spent grain out of the landfill.
• cooperation with local businesses to improve results.
• reducing the risk associated with reliance on external sources of raw materials (e.g.crop production).

Using Tiny Toy Co. toys.

Tiny Toy Co.  is a social enterprise with a mission to divert toy waste from landfill by repurposing unwanted small toys and toy parts into play-based learning activities. Tiny Toy Cо. supports the circular economy by:

• extending the life of unwanted small toys and toy parts by creating games that are just as valuable as those made from new materials.
• engaging children and educators while promoting a cultural shift towards a creative solution - looking for a solution to deal with trash from the trash drawer.

This article is part of the Local Journalism initiative.