Circularity is no longer just a buzzword for business — it’s a key strategy driving sustainability and innovation. That energy was palpable at the sold-out Canadian Circular Economy Summit (CCES), where 950 delegates gathered in Montreal from April 15-17 to chart a path forward.
Ivey supported event organizers Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and Circular Innovation Council (CIC) as part of the event planning committee, helping to shape the agenda and bring the event to life.
The circular economy aims to minimize waste and maximize resource utilization by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible through processes like sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling. It shifts from a "take-make-dispose" model to a more sustainable and regenerative system.
Two members of the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value team, Matthew Lynch and Carly MacArthur attended the Summit and led two key workshops. Here's a look at some of the key moments and takeaways from Ivey’s participation.
Mobilizing Knowledge from Ivey’s Circularity Research
In two key workshops — The Recipe for Advancing Canada’s IC&I Circular Food Economy and Leveraging Data for Circular Economy Decision Making — Lynch (pictured) and MacArthur presented and helped facilitate discussions built from a foundation of research done at the School around critical circularity topics that are currently top of mind for businesses engaging in the space. These sessions translated Ivey research into direct dialogue with the business and policy leaders who can put it to work.
For the BSV Centre team, this kind of knowledge mobilization is at the heart of its mission: taking insights off the page and into the world, where they can influence decisions, drive innovation, and spark systemic change.
MacArthur commented, "The level of engagement in our sessions was incredible! You could feel how eager people are to make change happen. It is always validating to bring research out into the "real world", away from your desk, and discover how it is received and how it can be used in a practical way by change-making agents."
That real-time connection between research and application is what makes moments like these so meaningful for the Ivey team.
"Both sessions were standing room only, pointing to Ivey’s finger being on the pulse for circularity challenges businesses are interested in discussing and solving."
New Connections & Familiar Faces
With almost a thousand circularity-minded individuals in one place, it was no surprise that the Summit created a unique opportunity for Ivey to network and build new relationships.
Equally exciting for the team, it was a chance not only to grow their network, but also to finally meet, face-to-face, some of the people who have contributed to Ivey research virtually over the past few years.
MacArthur noted, "What stood out as a key takeaway from the Summit was the importance of collaboration and having these opportunities to engage both formally and informally."
Learning Across Sectors
From government officials and corporate leaders to SMEs, nonprofits, and academics, the diversity of voices at CCES was a reminder of just how multifaceted and interconnected the circular economy conversation really is.
Across plenary sessions, breakout panels, and interactive workshops, speakers, facilitators, and attendees shared lessons learned, product innovations, policy challenges, and points of hope for a more circular future.
You can explore the full speaker lineup and agenda here.
Looking Ahead
With the energy of the Summit still buzzing, the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value is more committed than ever to pushing circular economy conversations — and solutions — forward.
Want to dive deeper into Ivey’s work in this space? Visit our publications page.