From linear to regenerative
Canada generates 35 million tonnes of municipal waste annually — one of the highest per-capita rates in the OECD. Transitioning to a circular economy could unlock $80 billion in net value by 2030 (OECD 2025).
| Sector | Circular Potential ($ bn) | Current Recovery Rate % | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 27 | 31 | NRCan / CM Consulting |
| Construction | 21 | 18 | Statistics Canada |
| Consumer goods & packaging | 15 | 28 | ECCC |
| Electronics | 7 | 12 | OECD CE Report 2025 |
Business implications
- Extended-producer-responsibility laws expand across provinces.
- Raw-material volatility strengthens recycling economics.
- Circular supply chains improve ESG scores and resilience.
What leaders can do
- Audit material flows end-to-end.
- Design for disassembly and secondary markets.
- Use blockchain for traceability. Verify recycled content.
- Collaborate on reverse-logistics hubs.
Arcus Insight: Waste is a design flaw, not an inevitability. The firms that treat materials as assets will capture both cost savings and brand equity.