In response to the US-initiated trade war with Canada, advocacy groups are urging Ottawa residents and City Hall to focus on strengthening the local circular economy, including the voluntary repair and recycling service provided by the Ottawa Tool Library. The city has announced measures to support a circular economy, including reducing waste generation and collection, and promoting green procurement strategies. The Ottawa Tool Library hosts events and workshops encouraging people to practice sustainability by recycling, repurposing, and repairing tools. The library’s Repair Café, a full-day event held monthly, allows people to bring in damaged items to be fixed by volunteers. The event aims to teach people how to use items until the end of their life cycle, reducing overconsumption and waste. The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Tool Library are working together to promote the circular economy, and the city’s public outreach and communications coordinator for solid waste and recycling is attending the Repair Café events to answer questions and provide information on proper recycling and composting.
The innovative approach of Repair Café highlights the potential of the circular economy to mitigate the impact of the U.S. trade war.
