Circular Economy Month | City of Peterborough

Launched by Circular Innovation Council, Circular Economy Month is Canada’s first-ever public awareness campaign dedicated to educating and empowering Canadians to support an economy that delivers on the most important values of Canadians: protecting the planet and prioritizing people.

Circular Innovation Council, a national not-for-profit, believes that by putting circular economy concepts into action through collaboration and inclusion, we discover solutions that preserve nature and design waste out of production and consumption.

Circular Economy Month, held for the first time in October 2022, educated Canadians about the benefits of a circular economy and how they can be part of Canada’s transition to it.

Scroll through the weeks below for a month of Circular Economy inspiration!

Week 1

Wednesday, October 1

Theme: E-waste

Updating your cell phone? Consider a refurbished model.

Thursday, October 2

Theme: Plastics

Lug-a-mug: take your travel mug to the cafe and skip the disposable cup.

Friday, October 3

Theme: Food

Focus on organics diversion: use your green bin, removing plastics and contaminants before composting. By keeping food scraps out of the garbage, you're helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions!

Saturday, October 4

Theme: Share - Reuse - Repair

Head to a Peterborough Public Library branch and take out a good book. You can browse titles online!

Week 2

Sunday, October 5

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Arrange carpooling with a friend or take Peterborough Transit to school or work this week.

Monday, October 6

Theme: Construction

Share and trade extra paint, stains and other products as part of the reusable product exchange at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road, open Wednesday to Saturday.

Tuesday, October 7

Theme: Textiles

Organize a clothing swap with friends and family. Sustainable fashion is always trendy!

Wednesday, October 8

Theme: E-Waste

Put used batteries in the right place. Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! has multiple collection locations across the City. Visit their website to find a drop-off location near you.

Thursday, October 9

Theme: Plastics

Heading out for groceries? Don't forget your reusable bags at home - or in the car!

Friday, October 10

Theme: Food

You're sure to have some Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey soup and stuffing sandwiches are just a couple great recipes to use up those leftovers, so no food goes to waste.

Saturday, October 11

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Propagate plant cuttings and grow new house plants for yourself, friends or both. Propagation creates resilient plants and makes for a cost-effective gift.

Week 3

Sunday, October 12

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Another option for Thanksgiving leftovers: share with friends or family that might have missed out on a turkey dinner!

Monday, October 13

Thanksgiving Monday

Consider bringing something consumable or an experience as a gift for your holiday host.

Tuesday, October 14

Theme: Textiles

Rent a costume or have a Halloween costume exchange. You'll save money and reduce textile waste!

Wednesday, October 15

Theme: E-Waste

Donate working devices like laptops and cell phones to local charities.

Thursday, October 16

Theme: Plastics

Choose washable containers and zipper bags for work and school lunches. This saves money and reduces plastic waste.

Friday, October 17

Theme: Food

It's a great time to preserve this year's harvest! Can or freeze jellies, james, pickles and preserves, sauces and syrups and more.

Saturday, October 18

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Shop at farmers' markets for local food. Visit the Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market at Quaker Foods City Square (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or the Peterborough Farmers' Market at Morrow Park (7 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Week 4

Sunday, October 19

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Organize a can or bottle drive fundraiser for a local sports team, charity or initiative.

Monday, October 20

Theme: Construction

Drop off or give new life to an item at the Waste Management Facility’s reuse building on Bensfort Rd, open Monday to Saturday.

Tuesday, October 21

Theme: Textiles

Shop for a find at your favourite thrift or consignment store. It’s an inexpensive way to refresh your wardrobe and decor!

Wednesday, October 22

Theme: E-Waste

Repurpose old devices. Turn a computer monitor into a digital photo frame or use an old phone as an alarm clock.

Thursday, October 23

Theme: Plastics

Bring your jars and containers to bulk stores and refilleries to reduce packaging for your groceries and toiletries.

Friday, October 24

Theme: Food

Make a list and shop for food prep for next week’s meals.

Saturday, October 25

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Mend your best-loved clothes and fix your broken items with the help of Repair Café Peterborough! Time and location TBD.

Week 5

Sunday, October 26

Theme: Share-Reuse-Repair

Repurpose old sheets, towels or clothing into cleaning cloths for use around your house.

Monday, October 27

Theme: Construction

Don’t have the right tool for the job? Rent it from the Peterborough Tool Library! Save money and space in your work shop. Source salvaged hardware and fixtures from the Habitat ReStore.

Tuesday, October 28

Theme: Textiles

Mend minor damage to keep clothes in rotation. Sew on a missing button or add a cool patch to your distressed denim.

Wednesday, October 29

Theme: E-Waste

Recycle e-waste with Quantum at the Morrow Building as part of Clean Up Peterborough’s RE:Connect circular economy event.

Thursday, October 30

Theme: Plastics

Say ‘no thanks’ to disposable cutlery, straws and condiments when ordering take-out or delivery.

Friday, October 31

Theme: Food

Organize a themed potluck lunch at the office or dinner with friends and family.