Upcycling > recycling: The circular economy and ways to live more sustainably

A Heavy Burden

You’ve heard the saying, “Out with the old, in with the new.” It’s been our mantra for everything from revamping our spring wardrobes to cleaning out the fridge, so it’s no wonder that phrase has been on repeat over the past few months. Our surroundings are looking a little stale, and we’re definitely noticing (read: obsessing over) the wear and tear on our furniture.

But the whole “keep it or toss it” mindset we’ve grown up with is seriously damaging the planet — and our national reputation. Canada produces the most waste in the entire world, at 1.33 billion tonnes per year, or 36.1 tonnes per person. If that doesn’t seem like much, let’s change the value: Every Canadian, on average, is responsible for roughly 79,500 pounds of waste every year. (*Hides trash can*)

We can’t be the only ones shocked by those numbers. The good news is there are actions we can take to reduce our collective carbon footprint. We’re doing a deep dive into upcycling and the circular economy, plus exploring ways we can all live more sustainably. (Because turns out, we really need to.)

The Three Five Rs

Let's start with the basics, beginning with a breakdown of what a circular economy is: Basically, a circular economy extracts as much resource value from materials as possible, through recycling, repairing, reusing, repurposing, or refurbishing resources. This gives businesses the opportunity to save money and access new markets, such as buy-back programs and resource recovery.

In other words, a circular economy would outpace waste production, and even go as far as eliminating greenhouse gas emissions as early as the manufacturing stage. This is arguably the most important component of the circular economy model for Canada, since the majority of the waste we generate is industrial — 1.12 billion tonnes, to be exact.

We've Got 99 Problems...

Even if you've convinced yourself that you're not part of the problem, we have bad news for you: You are. Every individual's actions count.

Whenever we buy "new," we’re adding to the waste that ends up in our country's landfills year after year. And you know all that online retail therapy we’ve been indulging in over the past year? Well, those cardboard boxes had to come from (and go) somewhere. It’s definitely easy to forget about how much waste we’ve been generating when it’s magically whisked away week after week. (If only we could make our credit card statements disappear as easily.)

The good news is people have been busy finding new ways to make existing business models more sustainable. Gone are the days of quick-and-easy shipping at the cost of our planet. New models, which are growing in popularity among some of the world’s biggest retailers, are slowly replacing disposable packaging with reusable options that can be returned, cleaned, and reused. Plus, fulfillment centres are consolidating home deliveries to cut down on both waste and greenhouse gas emissions (at the expense of quick delivery).

And rumour has it, these circular models might be just what our economy needs to create (and keep) more jobs, as we work toward gaining back what we lost due to COVID-19. According to the World Economic Forum, the global economy could cash in on US $4.5 trillion by investing in the circular model, which is certainly nothing to laugh at. Various studies have shown that going green could create thousands of jobs here at home, especially for fresh graduates entering the workforce in a post-pandemic job market. 

If we don’t start embracing “green growth” (the term used to describe the post-pandemic shift toward sustainable economic systems), the outlook is grim: 72 million full-time jobs will be lost globally by 2030, according to the International Labour Organization. On the flipside, as many as 24 million new jobs could be available globally if everybody shifted to a more circular economic model.

Unfortunately, Rome wasn’t built in a day. But before we all spiral into an(other) existential crisis, here are four things we can do in the meantime to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable economy:

• Adopt, Don’t Shop (Your Furniture)

We get it, it’s nice to have new things. Sometimes, though, our wallets don’t agree. One thing the pandemic has given us is time to explore new hobbies, and tons of creative people have taken to breathing new life into previously owned items, including furniture, to make them feel like new again. (Here’s a whole Reddit thread on the topic, if you’re feeling creative.)

However, if the idea of taking a pair of scissors to your sofa is daunting (trust us, we hear you), then there are tons of options for buying upcycled furniture — and no, that doesn’t always mean “used.” 

We love shopping with ShopLendy, a fully transparent online shop, offering a range of secondhand items — from antique furniture to modern electronics. Shopping with ShopLendy is hassle-free, since every item includes honest pictures and descriptions. This Canadian company also donates at least $3 from every order to Food Banks Canada.

Transform your unused guest bedroom into a chic home office with this classic, two-toned desk ($700), which pairs perfectly with this leather office chair ($70). Or zhuzh up your current WFH space by adding timeless accent pieces, like this vintage Underwood typewriter ($194). 

While Lendy's furniture offerings are truly unparalleled, the site also has great accessory options if you're looking to spice up your space, such as these gorgeous candle holders in a rock-tray base ($70). Plus, don't shy away from shopping Lendy for appliances or electronics, either, since they have plenty of great options in those categories as well — like this Cuisinart EasyPop Popcorn Maker ($40), which is sure to make your at-home movie nights a little less stale.

And while Lendy currently only serves Southern Ontario, shipping for small items is available across the country, and the company is working on actively expanding their reach, so keep an eye out (and make sure to look for similar services near you!). 

• G(r)o Green

This one’s a little more difficult to do with snow and ice everywhere, but once spring hits, growing your own produce is a great way to contribute to a sustainable economy. How? Mainly by reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to harvest and transport the produce to supermarkets — not to mention you’d be eating organic for a fraction of the cost.

• Play Fair

Sometimes, we can’t avoid buying new. But before you check out, make sure your purchase is Fairtrade certified. The Fairtrade label means the company has committed to sustainable production, in addition to decent working conditions and fair trade terms for products made outside of Canada. (In other words, it’s a good sign all around.)

Another certification to look for is from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This certification indicates that all natural materials used in the production or construction of an item were sustainably harvested — i.e., they required minimal or no processing, came from sources that grow rapidly, and are considered renewable. Examples include bamboo, cork, and other FSC-certified woods.

• “Fast” Doesn’t Mean “Good”

We’re talking about fast fashion. Anyone who’s ever tried keeping up with the latest trends has fallen victim to this phenomenon, which didn’t really exist until the ‘60s and ‘70s. Now, half our closet is taken up by cheap knock-offs that we’re not even sure looked good on us in the first place. 

And what happens when we need to make space for the next round of trends? Hello, landfill. (Or, ideally, your local thrift shop.) But fast fashion is bad on a much deeper level: 60% of modern fabric fibres are synthetic, meaning they’re made of fossil fuels. (Not to mention, fast-fashion brands are notorious for bad working conditions in factories in developing countries.) To put it really, really simply: polyester = bad, cotton (or any other plant-based fibre) = good.

We could talk about going green until we’re blue in the face, so we won’t keep you from your Sunday morning pancakes. (Have one for us, will you?)

But the next time you hear a sofa spring pop out of place, or think your coffee table is looking a little rough (because let’s face it — do any of us really leave our TV rooms unless absolutely necessary these days?), remember the five Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, refurbish, and repurpose. (Just don’t try saying that five times fast.)