Circular economy procurement implementation plan and framework, Toronto

Toronto’s Circular Economy Procurement Implementation Plan and Framework (the Framework) is positioned to become a major tool in creating economic growth, enhancing social prosperity and moving towards zero waste in the city. Toronto’s annual purchasing contracts amount to approximately CAD 2 billion in value, which represents considerable potential for suppliers who have long- standing circular economy offerings or who are beginning to integrate circular economy into their existing business models. The Framework outlines the city’s circular economy procurement objectives in addition to a number of opportunities for the city to leverage its buying power.

The Framework is consistent with the direction and approach set out in the city’s 2016 Long Term Waste Management Strategy, which identified waste reduction opportunities that will be explored as pilots in the City's procurement of textiles and uniforms, food and catering services, office equipment, and information technology.

The aim of the framework is to develop an evidence-based and measurable circular procurement policy, and enable the City to increase the amount of goods and services that are regenerative by design, have lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, are less toxic and rely less on raw material consumption.