Recycling Council of Ontario | Circular Innovation Council

What Recycling Council of Ontario | Circular Innovation Council does

Circular Innovation Council (CIC) is a Canadian non-profit, membership-based organization and registered charity (Charity Registration Number 119112118 RR 0001) headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1978 as the Recycling Council of Ontario and rebranded in 2021, CIC operates a portfolio of circular economy programs targeting businesses, governments, Indigenous communities, and educational institutions across Canada. Its offerings include the Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program (with active pilots in Durham, Guelph-Wellington, Calgary, Westlock, Strathcona County, and Edmonton), the Reuse Program anchored by Reuse Ottawa, the Circular Procurement Centre of Excellence, the Ontario Green Screen initiative for the film and television industry (delivered under appointment from Ontario Creates), the annual Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES), the Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL), Waste Auditor Training, 3RCertified, the Net-Zero Mission: Clean and Circular Innovation Marketplace (co-developed with MaRS Discovery District), and Circular Economy Month awareness programming.

CIC does not develop proprietary technology products; its core technology footprint consists of operational program delivery, training curricula, and a digital marketplace platform built in partnership with MaRS. Its go-to-market is community- and event-led: membership subscriptions provide recurring engagement, the CCES and Circular Economy Month generate awareness, and pilot programs with municipal and provincial partners produce measurable waste-diversion outcomes.

CIC's revenue mechanics are characteristic of a grant- and membership-funded non-profit. Income is derived from annual membership fees (pricing not publicly disclosed), voluntary donations, and restricted program funding from government agencies (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ontario Creates, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Indigenous Services Canada), foundations (Walmart Foundation, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation), and corporate sponsors. Named funders include Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (finalist in the Food Waste Reduction Challenge, $100K semi-finalist grant plus $400K finalist grant, with eligibility for a $1.5M Grand Prize), Walmart Foundation ($273,700 USD in 2017), Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, and the City of Ottawa (Reuse Ottawa funding). The organization is led by Executive Director Jo-Anne St. Godard, with no parent company, no venture capital or private equity ownership, and no subsidiaries.

Name

Recycling Council of Ontario | Circular Innovation Council

Legal name

Circular Innovation Council

Website

https://circularinnovation.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Canadian non-profit, membership-based organization (founded 1978, rebranded 2021) that advances the circular economy through food waste diversion pilots, reusable packaging programs like Reuse Ottawa, circular procurement advisory, the annual Canadian Circular Economy Summit, and education for businesses, governments, and Indigenous communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy and Waste Reduction Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Business Associations (813910), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH), Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC), Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Circular economy programs
• Food waste diversion
• Circular procurement advisory
• Environmental nonprofit services
• Waste reduction consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CIC operates as a membership-based organization offering collaborative opportunities and inspiration to redefine value in communities across Canada. Members receive showcase opportunities and access to circular economy programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered charity (Charity Registration Number: 119112118 RR 0001), CIC accepts donations to support their programs and mission. The organization hosts an annual charitable giving campaign.
3. Program Sponsorships and Grants: CIC receives funding from government agencies (Ontario Creates, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada), foundations (Walmart Foundation, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation), and corporate sponsors to develop and deliver circular economy programs and pilots.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Circular Innovation Council is a membership-based non-profit registered charity that delivers circular economy programs, education, and convening services across Canada. Its core offerings include the Commercial Food Waste Diversion Pilots (IC&I sector), Ontario Green Screen (film and TV industry sustainability), the annual Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES), Reuse programs (including Reuse Ottawa), the Circular Procurement Centre of Excellence, Waste Auditor Training certification, and 3RCertified, supported by an annual membership program serving businesses, governments, and member organizations.

Product overview

Circular Innovation Council operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of circular economy programs and initiatives rather than a traditional product platform. The organization's offerings include: Circular Economy Month (CEM) awareness programming, the Circular Procurement Centre of Excellence, the Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program with regional pilots, Reuse Program initiatives including Reuse Ottawa, the annual Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES), Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) for innovation support, Waste Auditor Training (WAT) certification, Ontario Green Screen for film/TV industry sustainability, the Net-Zero Mission digital marketplace with MaRS Discovery District, 3RCertified certification, and ongoing webinars/knowledge sharing. These programs collectively advance the circular economy through education, practical implementation, policy support, and networking across Canadian communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ontario Green Screen Sustainability initiative and program for Ontario's film and television industry that delivers the OGS Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to reduce fuel consumption, minimize waste, and lower emissions related to craft and catering on film and TV productions. For Ontario film/TV producers, productions, unions, guilds, and trade associations.
• Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program A cooperative collection model that consolidates food waste collection among neighboring businesses and institutions in the IC&I sector to reduce disposal costs and improve organics diversion. Includes pilots in Durham Region, Guelph-Wellington, Calgary, Edmonton, Westlock, and Strathcona County. For IC&I businesses and institutions.
• Reuse Program (Reuse Ottawa Pilot) A reuse program and pilot initiative promoting reusable containers and packaging solutions to eliminate single-use plastic waste. The Reuse Ottawa pilot offers reusable containers to consumers at no cost at participating grocery retailers and food service partners in Ottawa. For consumers, grocery retailers, and food service operators.
• Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES) Annual conference bringing together business leaders, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, and researchers to advance circular economy strategies in Canada. For sustainability leaders, policymakers, and circular economy professionals.
• Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) An innovation program focused on accelerating circular economy solutions and supporting entrepreneurs and businesses developing circular products and services. For circular economy entrepreneurs and innovative businesses.
• Waste Auditor Training (WAT) Professional training course offering lectures, workshops, and hands-on waste audit experience, including a Waste Auditor Certificate upon completion using CIC's Standard Waste Audit Method. For waste management professionals, facility managers, and sustainability practitioners.
• Circular Procurement Centre of Excellence A center of excellence focused on helping municipalities and organizations develop and implement circular procurement frameworks and strategies to drive waste reduction and circular economy adoption. For municipal procurement officials and sustainability-focused organizations.
• Net-Zero Mission: Clean and Circular Innovation Marketplace Online marketplace co-developed with MaRS Discovery District that connects government and private sector buyers with low-carbon and circular solution providers and includes an Adoption-Ready Certification Program. For government and private sector procurement teams seeking verified low-carbon solutions.
• 3RCertified A certification program based on reduce, reuse, recycle principles for businesses and organizations seeking to demonstrate circular economy commitment. For businesses and organizations pursuing circular economy credentials.
• Circular Economy Month (CEM) An annual observance and programming month (October) dedicated to raising awareness about circular economy concepts and promoting sustainable practices across Canada. For the Canadian public, businesses, and member organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• The IC&I Food Waste Pilot demonstrated 60% reduction in disposal costs for participating businesses by diverting organics from the waste stream.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Ontario CreatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021CIC was appointed Program Manager of Ontario Green Screen (OGS) by Ontario Creates in 2021. OGS is an initiative between government, industry partners, unions, guilds, and trade associations to make lasting change and empower individuals and production companies to make sustainable choices in Ontario's film and television industry. CIC implements the OGS Strategic Plan and builds relationships with the production community.
• MaRS Discovery DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC and MaRS collaborated to launch the Net-Zero Mission: Clean and Circular Innovation Marketplace at UN COP27 Climate Change Conference. The marketplace is designed to break down barriers to public procurement and encourage wide-scale adoption of low-carbon solutions. By 2024, the goal is to pilot and scale Municipal and Federal procurement development and launch the Marketplace Platform.
• Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC partnered with NAN and Indigenous Services Canada to advance circular economic and waste reduction programs in 49 First Nations communities across Northern Ontario. The three-phase project includes needs assessment, strategy development, and implementation support for waste management infrastructure and diversion programs.
• Our Food FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC partnered with Our Food Future to deliver the Circular Food Recovery and Waste Diversion Pilot in Guelph-Wellington County. This partnership has extended the successful IC&I organics collection pilot and was selected as a finalist in the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Food Waste Reduction Challenge.
• City of EdmontonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Edmonton is co-hosting the Canadian Circular Economy Summit 2027 (CCES) with CIC and Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. CCES will be held at the Edmonton Convention Centre from June 2-4, 2027.
• Second HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue organization, is a key partner in CIC's IC&I food waste pilots. They help redistribute rescued edible food to social service agencies across Ontario.
• StormFishersupportingOthersStormFisher operates biogas facilities that process organic waste collected through CIC's pilots into renewable energy and organic-based fertilizer.
• Leftovers FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeftovers Foundation partnered with CIC on the Calgary IC&I Food Rescue and Organics Waste Diversion Pilot to help realize the project and support food redistribution.
• Bluplanet RecyclingsupportingOthersBluplanet Recycling partnered with CIC on the Calgary pilot to provide organic waste collection and processing services.
• MetroflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro partnered with CIC on Reuse Ottawa, a groundbreaking pilot program to offer reusable packaging options to consumers at grocery stores. CIC leads this pilot in partnership with major Canadian grocery retailers.
• Sobeys Inc. / Farm BoyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSobeys and Farm Boy partnered with CIC on the Reuse Ottawa pilot to provide reusable container options at their stores and restaurants, offering customers sustainable shopping alternatives.
• Walmart CanadaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalmart Canada partnered with CIC on Reuse Ottawa and previously supported the food waste pilot through the Walmart Foundation. They participate in reusable packaging initiatives.
• Reusables.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationReusables.com provides container tracking, washing, and distribution services as part of the Reuse Ottawa pilot program, enabling scalable plastic waste reduction through reusable container systems.
• Bunzl CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBunzl Canada participates in the Reuse Ottawa pilot, providing distribution and logistics support for reusable container systems in the food service sector.
• Gate GourmetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGate Gourmet supports the Reuse Ottawa pilot, contributing to the circular economy by using reusable packaging in their catering operations where their affiliate company deSter produces the packaging.
• CSA GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC was commissioned by CSA Group to undertake research on the current landscape of repairability in Canada and provide guidance on potential development of standards supporting advanced repairability options. This resulted in the Landscape Review of Repairability in Canada report.
• Canada Plastic PactsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC co-hosted Canada's First Symposium on Reuse in collaboration with Canada Plastic Pact, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and other environmental organizations.
• EquiterresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC partnered with Equiterre to co-host the Symposium on Reuse and advance circular economy solutions in Canada.
• Feed the Need in DurhamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeed the Need in Durham, the regional food distribution warehouse serving Durham Region, partners with CIC to redistribute rescued food to emergency food providers including food banks and soup kitchens.
• EcoBusiness NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcoBusiness Network (formerly Durham Sustain Ability) partnered with CIC on the Durham Region food waste pilot, providing environmental sustainability expertise and community engagement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• GreenBiz Group: Media and events company running flagship sustainability conferences (GreenBiz) and research. Comparable event-driven and content-driven GTM, but for-profit and broader in scope than circular economy.

Broad incumbents

• The Recycling Partnership: US national non-profit funding and operating recycling and circular programs with corporate and municipal partners. Similar operating model to CIC but at larger US scale and with a strong corporate-funder base.
• Closed Loop Partners: US-based circular economy investment and advisory platform running reuse, recycling, and procurement programs with corporate and municipal partners. Comparable in offering breadth (advisory, partnerships, pilots) but with investment/finance overlay that CIC lacks.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global thought leader on the circular economy operating programs, partnerships, and convenings across multiple regions. Sets the agenda CIC's CCES event engages with; broader in geography and scale but overlapping mandate.
• National Waste & Recycling Association: US trade association representing waste, recycling, and sustainability companies; comparable membership/advocacy structure and policy focus, though oriented to private-sector haulers rather than circular-economy advocacy.

Emerging players

• Product Stewardship Institute: Non-profit focused on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), product stewardship, and circular policy frameworks. Comparable in program-management and policy-advocacy mode, especially around packaging and organics, though US-based.

Direct peers

• Recycling Council of British Columbia: British Columbia's provincial recycling/circular economy council offering membership, training (waste auditor), and policy advocacy. Closely analogous structure and offerings to CIC, just province-specific.
• Canada Plastic Pact: Multi-stakeholder platform working on circular plastics in Canada, co-hosted events with CIC (Canada's First Symposium on Reuse) and shares key government partners (Environment and Climate Change Canada). Directly competing for similar corporate and government engagement.
• Recycling Council of Alberta: Provincial non-profit advancing waste reduction and circular economy in Alberta; directly comparable to CIC's mandate, membership model, and program portfolio (pilots, training, policy advocacy). Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is also a CIC funder, deepening the overlap.
• Second Harvest: Canada's largest food rescue organization and a named CIC partner in the IC&I Food Waste Pilots. Same mission space (food waste reduction), similar non-profit funding model, and direct operational overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CircularInnovationCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/circularinnovation
• Instagraminstagram.com/CircularInnovationCouncil

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Recycling Council of Ontario | Circular Innovation Council