First Circular Economy Roadmap: What Is There to Know?

The concept of a circular economy is becoming an essential part of sustainable development, and Quebec has recently achieved a major milestone by implementing its first Circular Economy Roadmap. How will this strategic plan transform the utilization and valuation of local resources available across the province? How will this initiative affect the construction industry? How can citizens and businesses contribute to this transition toward a more sustainable economy? Discover the highlights of this revolutionary initiative.

Concept Definition: What Is a Circular Economy?

A circular economy is an economic system that counters a traditional, linear economy. Rather than extracting, manufacturing, using, and discarding, a circular economy promotes extending product life cycles through practices like reusing, recycling, and refurbishing items. In other words, it suggests creating value by extending product lifespan, limiting the ecological footprint and promoting sustainable development. 

What Is the Principle Behind a Circular Economy?

The fundamental principle of a circular economy rests on transforming the way we manufacture and consume within a sustainable system. This model promotes the efficient use of resources and the transformation of waste into new resources, thereby reducing our ecological footprint and fostering sustainable development.

What Is the Goal of a Circular Economy in Canada?

When it comes to a circular economy, the primary objective is conserving natural resources while increasing the efficiency of production processes. This model minimizes waste by treating it as more than an end in itself, but rather a new resource. As such, businesses can both reduce their environmental impact and generate new economic opportunities by using a waste-to-value model.

What Are the Three Principles of Circular Economy?

Make

This means rethinking product manufacturing to achieve sustainable, repairable, and recyclable items. For example, the ecological design of building materials is intended to reduce their environmental impact from the get-go.

Use

This pillar promotes the use of more eco-friendly products, favouring sustainability and reutilization, instead of purchasing or discarding.

Return (Waste Valorization)

This means waste recovery—returning it to its original production cycle in the form of a secondary raw material, rather than discarding it. This includes building material recycling or transforming organic waste into compost.

What Are the Four Steps to Building a Circular Economy?

• Prevention: Cut waste production at its source by choosing long-lasting materials, for example. 

• Reutilization: Restore products through repair or remanufacturing. 

• Recycling: Transform waste into new raw materials. 

• Energy valorization: Use non-recyclable waste for energy production.

A Portrait of Quebec’s Circular Economy Model

Quebec is one of the leading provinces in Canada in implementing a circular economy. With initiatives like the Pôle québécois de concertation sur l’économie circulaire (Quebec centre for consultation on the circular economy) and programs aimed at supporting innovations, the province is committed to integrating circular economy principles into its public policies and industrial practices. This approach prompts businesses to adopt more sustainable business models, thereby fostering a shift toward a more resilient, eco-friendly Quebec economy.

How Does this Roadmap Affect Quebec’s Construction Industry?

The construction industry is one of the sectors in which the Circular Economy Roadmap will have the most impact. Building, renovation and demolition waste represents a great deal of the residual materials found in Quebec and said road map is designed to transform waste management.

Circular Economy Roadmap in a Nutshell: Innovation and Employment

Quebec’s Circular Economy Roadmap sets ambitious goals for reducing the province’s ecological footprint while driving innovation and new jobs. It proposes a series of measures to promote the adoption of principles unique to a circular economy across various sectors, including construction, agriculture, and waste management. 

Construction Industry Hurdles

The challenges unique to the construction industry include:

• Reducing construction, renovation, and demolition waste

• Improving resource efficiency

• Adopting ecological design practices for construction projects

The Circular Economy Roadmap proposes solutions to overcome said challenges, including adopting more rigorous waste management practices and promoting innovations stemming from the use of recycled materials. 

Construction Goals and Measures

• Material and infrastructure ecological design: Promote the use of sustainable materials and adopt eco-friendly design practices.

• Promote the adoption of circular economy principles during worksite planning: Incite construction companies to plan their projects while adopting waste reduction strategies from the get-go.

• Extend material and infrastructure service life: Promote the use of high-quality materials and the act of renovating instead of demolition.

• Drive construction, renovation, and demolition waste recycling and valorization practices: Boost efforts to recover and recycle construction, renovation, and demolition waste by working with specialized companies.

Who Are the Players in the Construction Circular Economy?

Transitioning toward a circular economy mandates the participation of several players, from businesses to citizens. 

The Quebec Centre for Consultation on the Circular Economy

The Quebec centre for consultation on the circular economy plays a key part in coordinating efforts between various industries and governments to promote sustainable practices in Quebec. This centre serves as the hub for all circular economy-related initiatives, fostering collaborative efforts between businesses, institutions, and citizens. 

Corporate Involvement in Driving a Circular Economy

Corporate organizations are at the heart of this transition. Some businesses specialize in deconstruction practices and the resale of materials stemming from demolition efforts, whereas others, such as RECYC-QUÉBEC, provide waste management services. These companies are leading by example by adopting practices unique to a circular economy, and introducing innovative solutions to extend material lifespan and lessen the ecological footprint generated by construction projects.

Deconstruction Services

Deconstruction services are crucial for transitioning toward a circular economy. Unlike conventional demolition practices, deconstruction is geared toward selective and methodical ways to take structures apart to reclaim and reuse the materials for new projects. Such businesses use specific methods to minimize waste while maximizing material recovery, such as wood, metal, concrete, as well as architectural items of value. As such, they’re actively contributing to extending the service life of materials while reducing the ecological footprint generated by construction projects.

On top of their positive environmental impact, such companies also enable the creation of niche jobs, given that the above-mentioned process requires qualified labour, capable of identifying, dismantling, and sorting recyclable or reusable materials. In Quebec, such businesses benefit from incentive programs and the partnership of organizations like RECYC-QUÉBEC, which actively supports initiatives designed specifically to implement circular economy principles within the building sector. 

Companies Selling Demolition-Issued Materials

Companies specializing in reselling demolition-issued materials constitute another pillar of a circular economy. These companies recover and resale materials stemming from the demolition or deconstruction of buildings, giving new life to resources that would, otherwise, have been sent to landfills. The most commonly reclaimed materials include wood, bricks, and metals, as well as architectural items, such as doors, windows, and flooring.

These companies not only make construction waste reduction possible but also supply materials at lower price points for new projects, thereby making construction more attainable and sustainable. Buyers are contractors, architects, and homeowners looking for cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions to carry out their renovation or construction projects. 

RECYC-QUÉBEC

RECYC-QUÉBEC is a key player in promoting the development of Quebec’s circular economy. As a government organization, its mission is to guide and support initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated by the province, while boosting material recycling, reusing, and valuing. RECYC-QUÉBEC offers a range of services, from public education and awareness through grant programs for businesses committed to sustainable waste management practices.

One of RECYC-QUÉBEC’s main focus areas is the construction, renovation, and demolition industry. Said organization works together with businesses, municipalities, and institutions to develop practices to use the principles of a circular economy, such as ecological design and effective waste management. 

How Can Citizens Support This Vital Transition?

Quebec’s first Circular Economy Roadmap marks an official milestone toward a sustainable and resilient future. By encouraging innovative practices, involving key players, and engaging citizens, this initiative is paving the way toward an economy that respects natural resources and economic needs. As a province, Quebec positions itself as an industry leader in matters of a circular economy, gearing up to face the challenges ahead.

FAQ

What is a simple example of a circular economy?

The idea behind a circular economy rests on four key principles: use, return, recycling, and reuse. A prime example would be the recycling of glass and plastic bottles, where materials are continuously kept in circulation instead of discarded. 

What is waste management?

Waste management involves developing and implementing strategies to handle waste in ways that reduce its impact, such as through recycling and composting, thereby minimizing waste production.