Circular Connect
Circular Connect
[Workshop 4] Sustain and Scale — Building a Circular Community
During the workshop, we looked back at key ideas from the Circular Connect series—including waste reduction, composting, reuse, repair, and upcycling—and explored how individual actions can grow into larger solutions at the school, neighbourhood, and community level.
We discussed what makes a successful circular initiative, how collaboration can increase impact, and how a community idea can move from identifying a problem to developing, testing, and sharing a realistic solution. The workshop emphasized that working with others can create greater and longer-lasting impact than acting alone.
Participants also took part in a design challenge where they developed their own circular economy solution for a school, neighbourhood, or community.
Once you’ve completed the workshop, please complete our post-workshop survey:
Thank you for taking part in the Circular Connect workshop series and for helping explore how small actions and shared systems can contribute to a stronger, more circular York Region.
Community Examples and Resources from the Workshop
Not Far From the Tree
Not Far From the Tree is a Toronto-based initiative that helps prevent locally grown fruit from going to waste by connecting fruit-tree owners with volunteers who help harvest it.
The initiative demonstrates how identifying a simple local problem can lead to a collaborative community solution that reduces waste and redistributes useful resources.
Repair Cafés
Repair Cafés bring community members and volunteer repairers together to help fix household items instead of throwing them away.
They provide an example of how sharing skills, tools, and knowledge can extend the life of products while reducing waste.
Learn more about Repair Cafés:
https://www.boldandopen.com/blog/repair-cafe-how-to-start-a-movement
https://sharereuserepairhub.ca/2024/03/repair-cafe-toronto/
Library of Things
A Library of Things allows community members to borrow items they may only need occasionally rather than purchasing their own.
Sharing tools, equipment, and other useful items can help reduce consumption while making resources more accessible.
Learn more:
https://www.shareable.net/toolkit/library-of-things/
Precious Plastic
Precious Plastic is a global community focused on reducing plastic waste by sharing tools, knowledge, and ideas for collecting, processing, and reusing plastic materials.
Learn more:
https://www.preciousplastic.com
ChangeX
ChangeX connects people with community project ideas and resources that can help them bring positive initiatives to their local communities.
Learn more:
Additional Circular Economy Resources
Share, Reuse, Repair Hub
Explore businesses, organizations, events, and services that support sharing, reuse, and repair.
https://sharereuserepairhub.ca
Beyond the Green Bin
York Region Food Network’s Beyond the Green Bin provides resources related to reducing food waste and supporting community-based food-waste initiatives.
https://yrfn.ca/beyond-the-green-bin/
Green Municipal Fund
Explore resources designed to help communities and municipalities strengthen circular economy initiatives.
Get Involved in the Circular Economy
The Government of Canada provides ideas and resources for individuals interested in reducing waste and participating in the circular economy.
Circular Economy Month
October is Circular Economy Month in Canada, providing another opportunity to learn about circular economy solutions and continue putting circular practices into action.
https://circulareconomymonth.ca
Keep the Circular Mindset Going
Although this is the final workshop in the Circular Connect series, there are many ways to continue building on what you have learned:
- Reduce unnecessary consumption and waste.
- Reuse and repurpose materials whenever possible.
- Repair items before replacing them.
- Share or borrow items that are only needed occasionally.
- Compost organic materials where possible.
- Look for opportunities to work with others on circular solutions in your school, neighbourhood, or community.
- Start small and build on ideas that work.
Small actions can create bigger change when people work together.
Thank you for helping build a more circular York Region!
Funded by The Regional Municipality of York
