Toronto is the first city in Canada to join the Circular Economy 100 (CE100) network, created by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The CE100 brings together corporations, municipalities and other orders of government, academic institutions and innovators to realize their circular economy ambitions and projects faster through collaboration, capacity building, networking and sharing research and insights.
The circular economy focuses on reducing waste and getting the most out of products and resources. It moves away from the traditional take-make-and-dispose approach to a circular approach that maximizes the life of products and resources through reuse, recycling, repurposing and repair. It also aims to recover resources from products at the end of their life.
“We are proud to join this global network of government and corporate entities working to drive economic prosperity and improve the environment,” said Mayor John Tory. “Toronto remains committed to reaching its climate action goals, while creating a liveable and sustainable tomorrow.”
As part of the Long Term Waste Management Strategy, approved by Council in 2016, the City is working towards a goal of zero waste and developing a strategy and policy framework to make Toronto the first municipality in Ontario with a circular economy. Membership in the CE100 network will assist the City in developing a circular economy roadmap and in moving toward its goal. With its membership in the CE100, Toronto now joins leading governments transitioning toward a circular economy, including Brussels, Denmark, London and Phoenix, as well as global enterprises.
“Cities are the powerhouses of the global economy and have the potential to create significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration worldwide. We are pleased to welcome the first Canadian city – the City of Toronto, to the CE100 network, to join other leading governments in taking significant steps towards adopting circular models at scale,” said Casper Jorna, CE100 Programme Lead – Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
To drive innovation and the growth of a circular economy in Toronto, the City has established a Unit for Research, Innovation & a Circular Economy and a Circular Economy Working Group. The Unit is involved in research and planning, as well as incorporating circular economy principles into new programs, policies, procurement and processes.
More information on how Toronto is working toward a circular economy is available at: http://www.toronto.ca/wastestrategy.
About the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was established in 2010 with the aim of accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Since its creation, the charity has emerged as a global thought leader, establishing the circular economy on the agenda of decision makers across business, government and academia. With the support of its Core Philanthropic Partners SUN, MAVA and People’s Postcode Lottery and Knowledge Partners Arup, IDEO, McKinsey & Company and SYSTEMIQ, the Foundation’s work focuses on five interlinking areas: Education, Business and Government, Insight and Analysis, Systemic Initiatives and Communications.
This news release is also available on the City’s website: https://bit.ly/2OUoQUx
Leave a Reply