Circular Innovation Council

Background of the organization

Founded in 1978, Circular Innovation Council (CIC) is a national charitable organization that advances practical solutions to accelerate Canada’s transition to a circular economy. Working across governments, industry, academia, Indigenous communities, and civil society, CIC develops and delivers collaborative initiatives that reduce waste, retain material value, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen economic resilience.

Through research, demonstration projects, policy development, capacity building, and cross-sector partnerships, CIC supports the adoption of circular business models, circular procurement, resource efficiency, material reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. CIC is recognized as a national leader in convening stakeholders and translating circular economy principles into scalable action across sectors including construction, manufacturing, food systems, packaging, procurement, and municipal infrastructure.

Project description

Funding will support Circular Innovation Council’s leadership of the CRD Circular Innovation Centre initiative, including the completion of an Implementation Optimization Study for the development of a scalable model for regional CRD material circularity hubs. The project aims to create the conditions necessary for the high-value recovery, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling of construction materials and building components, helping retain embodied carbon, reduce landfill disposal, and strengthen local circular economies.

The Implementation Optimization Study will evaluate governance models, market demand, material flows, infrastructure requirements, workforce development opportunities, procurement strategies, policy considerations, financial sustainability, and pathways to implementation. Working with municipal, industry, academic, and community partners, the project will establish a blueprint that can be replicated in communities across Canada.