Exploring Circularity in the City

In the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, 'Abundance is fueled by constantly circulating materials'. It's no secret that urban centers like Toronto consume vast amounts of resources, and most often in a manner that creates scarcity. What we buy, eat, build, and dispose of all play a role in determining the distribution of goods and the volume of waste the city sends to landfills. Against the backdrop of overconsumption, how can our city promote the principles of a circular economy, in which resources remain in the system for longer? How does our built environment encourage mindfulness in our consumption habits?
Amidst immense global challenges, there is power in community-level action, and our local neighbourhoods are where our agency to organize as residents is the strongest.

This walk will introduce the Ontario Community Changemakers-funded project, Can Companion, which proposes small, purposeful urban interventions that empower our neighbours who move from park to park, collecting cans and bottles for cash. These informal can collectors disrupt the linear waste stream, and the intention is to create a safe and hygienic way for them to collect. An early bin prototype acts as a launching pad to gather feedback to ensure that the 'Can Companion' creates socially circular neighbourhoods. The walk will also explore local businesses and spaces in the built environment that can encourage us to reflect on and challenge the relentless pursuit of 'more' and 'new.' From fashion and architecture to our local waste networks, we'll ultimately explore how city spaces can motivate us to re-evaluate our existing systems.

Walk Start Location:

Riverside Common Park, Queen St E and Broadview Ave

Walk End Location:

John Chang Neighbourhood Park, Carlaw Ave and Colgate Ave