Zero Waste Conference

Eliminating waste and creating value are essential pillars in a new way of doing business and developing policy - a new norm of addressing waste in every facet of our lives. And no approach offers greater promise for realizing those goals than the principles of the Circular Economy. Forward-looking businesses, governments, and consumers are changing their behaviours – viewing every decision through the lens of zero waste and circular economy ambitions. Throughout the economy, examples abound – and we are privileged to witness a massive shift in thought and action.

For the past seven years, Metro Vancouver's Zero Waste Conference has been at the forefront of this journey in Canada – pushing boundaries, advancing dialogue and inspiring action.

The 2017 edition will showcase on a global and local scale how we can:

reimagine linear systems of production and consumption with waste prevention and the circular economy in mind
advance organizational change and collaborate across sectors to develop new solutions and approaches
embrace new ways of thinking, innovation, and disruption to address barriers and intractable problems
benefit from this emerging opportunity – whether you are a business, government, or community leader

Join Us

On November 1, 2017 we will welcome the perspectives of innovative thinkers at the edges of possibility, the hard headed realists turning ideas into solutions, and the policy makers who provide the framework for action. Is the circular economy truly within reach? At Metro Vancouver's 2017 Zero Waste Conference you'll find out why the answer is a resounding Yes.

Please help us keep the conversation going. Visit the website on a regular basis and follow the conference blog. Presentations and graphic illustrations from the 2016 Conference are available under "Sessions".

Sessions

Plastics

Lightweight and durable, plastics play an important role in our economy but they also pose a significant threat to our environment in the form of microplastics in the ocean. In response, global solutions are emerging that will keep plastics as a valuable material in our economy and out of our oceans.

Food Waste

Almost one third of the food produced is wasted. In Canada the National Zero Waste Council has developed a Food Waste Reduction Strategy to drive collaboration. How do we work collaboratively to align with global efforts? Who are the innovators, the enablers and the drivers that are transforming our relationship with food?

Textiles

Global and local action to address textile waste is on the rise. From design, through use, to post-use, where are the greatest opportunities for change and what role can collaboration play? What innovations and new solutions are being embraced in the shift towards a circular economy?

Circular Cities

Cities and metropolitan regions are the epicenters of growth and innovation, offering an ideal testing ground for the application of circular economy principles and approaches. How can a circular lens help address urban challenges? Who are the pioneers and what are some early lessons learned?

Business Innovation

VANCOUVER | NOVEMBER 1, 2017

VANCOUVER | NOVEMBER 1, 2017

Join Us

Sessions