Circular Economy

Accelerating the transition from a traditional “take-make-waste” linear economy to a circular economy, where waste is minimized by design, and products and materials are reused, remanufactured, refurbished, and recycled.

Plastics Pathway

Plastic can be a beneficial resource when treated responsibly each step of the way, but it should never end up in the environment where it can negatively impact wildlife and ecosystems. The Plastics Pathway provides an opportunity for the Zoo’s 1.2 million annual guests to learn about plastic use and the important efforts underway to address plastic pollution. Made possible through generous support from the Province of Ontario, the experience will highlight how plastic can be a beneficial resource when used, treated and discarded responsibly and will educate about the need to transition to a more circular approach to plastic use. It will also provide an opportunity to showcase important efforts underway to address plastic pollution in the environment, an issue of critical importance.

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Nutrient Recovery and Reuse

Phosphorus is a non-renewable and non-substitutable resource with a wide range of applications, but when found in excess can contribute to a range of negative environmental impacts. Pollution Probe is leading efforts to develop a Canadian Nutrient Recovery and Reuse platform that will contribute to growing and strengthening a nutrient recovery and reuse economy, considered critical given the finite nature of phosphorus reserves, its role in ensuring food security and its impacts on the environment. In support of this effort, Pollution Probe recently collaborated with academic experts and their teams to complete the first of several provincial studies mapping the flow of phosphorus in Ontario’s economy.

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The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup

The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, launched jointly with the Council of the Great Lakes Region, is a first-of-its-kind initiative, using innovative technology to quickly capture and remove plastics and other litter at sites throughout the Great Lakes. Through research, collaboration, outreach and education, we are identifying sources of litter entering our waterways and highlighting how government, industry, and consumers can work together to reduce, reuse and recycle material waste.

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Canada Plastics Pact

Pollution Probe has been at the forefront of the movement to reduce, re-use and recycle since our inception in 1969. As part of the CPP, we’re committed to working in collaboration with other dedicated organizations to build a circular economy for plastics where we eliminate the plastics we don’t need and innovate so the plastics we do need can be reused, recycled and managed to maximize their value, extend their usable life and keep them out of the environment.

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Great Lakes Plastics Forum

Many plastics have the ability to be recovered, recycled or reconstituted more than once but this value is lost when they are discarded or improperly disposed of. Each day, plastic debris and fibres make their way into rivers, streams and lakes, where they accumulate. On October 11th, 2018, Pollution Probe and the Council of the Great Lakes Region hosted the Great Lakes Plastics Forum in Toronto. The forum provided an opportunity for a range of experts to discuss innovative and practical solutions to the issue of plastic waste and improper disposal, supported by sound public policy.

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Recent Releases

Publications

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The iconic phrase was coined by Pollution Probe in the early 1970s. Initially, the founding members used ‘Reject, Re-use, Recycle,’ but decided that ‘Reject’ sounded too harsh. They replaced it with ‘Reduce,’ creating a slogan and rallying call that endures worldwide over half a century later.

Contact Us

902-130 Queens Quay East, Toronto, ON M5A0P6

E: pprobe@pollutionprobe.org

P: 416-926-1907

Support Our Work

Pollution Probe is a registered Canadian charity (BN 108092701 RR0001) with a proven track record of working in partnership with industry and government to build practical solutions for shared environmental challenges.

We are a donor-based organization, and maintain a practical, independent perspective by drawing upon the financial support of a broad spectrum of individuals.

With your support, we can continue our work towards clean air, clean water and a healthy planet for all Canadians.