Circular Built Environment

Construction is one of the most important economic sectors in Canada, generating $141 billion in GDP in 2020. Simultaneously, Canada’s construction sector generates more than 4 million tonnes of waste per year – with much of the value from these waste materials and resources currently being lost from Canada’s economy at end of life. As other industries in Canada and globally, such as plastics, look to the circular economy model to address the waste and pollution crisis while promoting long-term sustainability and economic resiliency, the construction sector can do the same.

A circular built environment for Canada can generate multiple benefits, including reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions; improving the resiliency of supply chains; creating new economic, investment, and employment opportunities; enhancing natural ecosystems and urban green spaces; and providing greater equity and related social benefits.

The Circular Built Environment track will go beyond a focus on construction waste to encompass the entire built environment and real estate ecosystem in Canada, linking existing efforts together and going deeper on emerging topics that require further research and investigation. The intended final outcome of this process will be the creation of a ‘playbook’ of actions, partnerships, and opportunities to generate new value for industry across the country.

Previous Event Recordings

  • N/A

Publications, Blogs & Articles

Partners & Sponsors

  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Forest Innovation Investment
  • Vancouver Economic Commission
  • City of Vancouver
  • National Zero Waste Council
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
  • Lafarge Canada