This week Waste Reduction Week in Canada is celebrating its 21st Anniversary. Each day of the week is dedicated to a specific theme highlighting environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging ideas and solutions.
Circular Economy is a relatively new concept in Canada. It centers on maximizing resource efficiency and waste reduction. In a circular economy, waste reduction occurs at the stage of product inception, which means that recovery and material reuse is part of product design and manufacturing from the very beginning. Another aspect of a circular economy is a shift in focus towards access instead of ownership. For example, streaming services such as Spotify, Netflix, and alike offer access to content instead of ownership of DVDs or CDs.
If you would like to contribute to the circular economy, consider doing the following:
- Purchase smartly designed, durable products conceived with repair as a primary consideration.
- Support companies that offer take-back programs at the end of the product’s life cycle.
- Be aware of greenwashing. When purchasing products marketed as environmentally friendly, look for certification labels and research the manufacturers’ claims whenever possible.
The above suggestions will help you reduce waste by counteracting the disposable nature of modern consumption. Furthermore, you will be rewarding environmentally responsible manufacturers without sacrificing your comfort and budget in the long term. If you’d like to learn more, please visit Waste Reduction Week Canada.
