Circular Economy Accelerator Program
The Circular Economy Accelerator Program piloted in 2022/23 as a project of VICEDA and Synergy Foundation. Phase 2 of the project is now underway as an initiative of Synergy Foundation’s Project Zero program. Click the button below to learn more about the current Circular Economy Accelerator.
The Circular Economy Accelerator Program provides hands-on support to businesses north of the Malahat and on the Sunshine Coast who seek to adopt circular economy principles, reduce waste and emissions, increase revenue, and develop innovative practices. This program – the first of its kind in Canada – will position your business as a leader in the circular economy, attracting talent and investment, increasing revenue, and paving the way to a prosperous, sustainable, and resilient future for your community.
Circular Economy Webinar Series
The VICEDA Circular Economy Webinar Series was designed to provide guidance to businesses who want to implement circular economy principles in their operations but don’t know where to start. The series is comprised of four webinars aimed at the tourism and hospitality, construction, and food and beverage processing industries and local government.
Fostering a Circular Economy in Tourism & Hospitality
May 17 | 10 am
Fostering a Circular Economy in Construction
May 31 | 10 am
Fostering a Circular Economy in Food & Beverage Processing
June 14 | 10 am
How Local Government Can Support A Circular Economy
June 28 | 10 am
Circular Economy Business Guide
A Business’ Guide to the Circular Economy provides guidance for businesses who seek to implement circular economy concepts in their operations. It presents background information and actionable recommendations that empower organizations across sectors to take action and begin the transition towards circularity.
The guide covers:
A brief overview of the circular economy
Examples of circular business solutions
Case studies featuring Circular Economy Accelerator Program participants
Resources to learn more and take action
Circular Economy Accelerator Final Report
The pilot of the Circular Economy Accelerator Program took 16 businesses through circularity assessments, identifying 714 circular opportunities - which, when adopted, can conserve 22,565m3 of water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,098 tCO2e, and divert 288,844 kg of waste from landfill.
The final report covers:
Program impact
Barriers to the circular economy on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast
Case studies of Accelerator participants
Recommendations for next steps
What is the circular economy?
The circular economy is an economic system that eliminates pollution and waste by retaining resources and manufactured goods within the system through innovation, reuse and repair, redistribution, recondition, and recycling processes, all of which are powered by renewable energy. These principles have been integral to traditional ways of life for Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial and align with natural processes. Transitioning from the current “take-make-waste” linear model to a circular economy eliminates high emissions, waste, and virgin resource demand while enabling affordable lifestyles and green job creation, and can provide a 4.5 trillion dollar value worldwide by 2030.
UN SDG Alignment
This program aligns most closely with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 12 and 13.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13: Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Want to learn more about this program and the circular economy? Watch a recording of our informational webinar:
Delivered by
-
Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association
-
Synergy Foundation
Program Partners
-
Island Coastal Economic Trust
-
Sunshine Coast Economic Development Organization
-
City of Campbell River
-
City of Nanaimo
-
Cowichan Valley Regional District
-
Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce
-
Municipality of North Cowichan
-
City of Port Alberni