Canadian Grocers and Circular Innovation Council join forces for reuse initiative

CANADA – The Circular Innovation Council, a non-profit organization, has unveiled a pilot program aimed at addressing single-use plastic waste in collaboration with Canadian grocery retailers Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada.

With a mission to expedite Canada’s transition to a circular economy, the national non-profit organization is set to lead the nation’s most extensive collaborative reuse program

The initiative, funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, focuses on eliminating single-use plastics and promoting a circular economy.

Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director of the Circular Innovation Council, emphasized the significance of reuse as a critical pathway to transitioning Canada to a circular economy and eliminating single-use plastics.

St. Godard stated, “The cooperation and collaboration between our participating grocery retailers and the Government of Canada is truly unique and demonstrates their commitment to addressing the plastic waste crisis.”

The first phase of the program involves the development of a unique reusable food container pilot, scheduled to launch in Ottawa in mid-2024. The program aims to identify scalable ways to reduce plastic packaging intended for single use.

Customers will have the opportunity to purchase specific food items in reusable containers at participating supermarkets and other food service establishments, with the containers distributed free of charge. Subsequently, consumers can return these containers through various options, including neighborhood drop-off locations.

Reusables.com, a technology service partner, will supply smart return bins and track container movements through washing and distribution.

Jason Hawkins, CEO and Co-founder of Reusables.com, expressed excitement about providing technology for ending single-use waste and advancing the circular economy, describing the initiative as an industry-leading initiative that is set to revolutionize packaging.

Ownership of the reusable containers will be shared among the grocery retailers and other food service pilot participants.

The participating grocery giants will collectively manage the containers, ensuring proper sanitation, meeting food safety requirements, and coordinating transportation and logistics.

The insights gained from the Ottawa pilot will guide the development and expansion of reuse programs across Ottawa and other regions in Canada.

Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, emphasized that the innovative reuse program is not only aimed at eliminating single-use plastics but also reshaping #TeamOttawa’s approach to business.

Participating grocery retailers, including Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada, expressed their pride and enthusiasm for the initiative.

Joe Fusco, Senior Vice President at Metro, highlighted Metro’s pride in being part of the innovative pilot project, while Kristi Lalach, Senior Vice President of Legal and Sustainability at Empire Company Limited, representing Sobeys, emphasized Sobeys’ goal to explore new and innovative ways to eliminate more plastics from the supply chain.

John Bayliss, Chief Operations Officer of Walmart Canada, and Tim Gray, Executive Director of Environmental Defence, echoed similar sentiments, expressing support for the initiative.

The Ottawa pilot program builds on the success of October’s Circular Economy Month campaign, encouraging Canadians to embrace circular solutions and address environmental challenges.

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