What is Circular Economy Month and How to Participate

It’s October and that means it is Circular Economy Month! This week I’m answering the question ‘what is Circular Economy Month’ and am also sharing some ways to participate.

What is Circular Economy Month?

Circular Economy Month is a campaign to raise awareness among Canadians about this important concept. It is a month focused on various themes and topics designed to educate and empower.

The 2024 Circular Economy themes are: 1. Intro to the Circular Economy; 2. Environmental Benefits; 3. Social & Economic Benefits; 4. Waste Reduction Week; and 5. Celebrating Your Efforts.

Each week will focus in on its topic with information, resources, and actions to take. You can even sign up to make a pledge to take action.

A circular economy avoids the use of non-renewable resources and preserves or enhances renewable ones, for instance by returning valuable nutrients to the soil to support regeneration, or using renewable energy as opposed to relying on fossil fuels

Ellen Macarthur Foundation

How to participate in Circular Economy Month

Participating in Circular Economy Month can be easy!

Here are a few ideas to consider:

1. Learn

One great place to start is to explore resources and learn more about what a circular economy really is and what it means for our planet. Increasing our knowledge about a topic can help us feel empowered to act and also motivate and excite us toward action.

Check out these resources to get started on learning more about a circular economy:

• Ellen Macarthur Foundation Introduction to a Circular Economy (also find more on the diagram below here: Butterfly Diagram)
  
• Circular Economy Month Resource Library
  
• Circular Innovation Council What is a Circular Economy
  
• Circular Economy posts on our blog! Welcome to Circular Economy Month and Waste Reduction Week and the 7 Important Theme Days

2. Choose

There is power in our choices. As we learn more about sustainable lifestyle choices and about what it means to exist in a circular economy, we can choose to:

– reuse and repurpose the items that come into our possession;
– make purchases of products that are made with a circular production philosophy;
– support companies that work with a circular economy model; and
– lobby politicians to take the idea of a circular economy seriously.

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A post shared by Circular Economy Month | Waste Reduction Week in Canada (@circulareconomymonth)

3. Share

Whether it is by word of mouth, writing to politicians, sharing on a blog, or by social media, you have the power to share the benefits of a circular economy. We can share our own thoughts or share via social media accounts like the Circular Economy Month Instagram account or the Ellen Macarthur Twitter/X account. Sharing can create a positive momentum behind important movements like the circular economy movement.

Renewable energy and energy efficiency are critical to #climateaction — but 45% of GHG emissions come from the way we produce and consume things. To tackle these emissions, we need a #circulareconomy.

Find out more: https://t.co/XW7Q98tmJx@ClimateGroup #ClimateWeekNYC pic.twitter.com/4hNeooWyH7

— Ellen MacArthur Foundation (@circulareconomy) September 26, 2024

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