Eco-Train brings wireless accessory brands, distributors and retailers together to eliminate waste generated by the wireless industry.
The Government of Canada has confirmed that plastic pollution is everywhere in the environment, including on shorelines, in surface waters, sediment, soil, groundwater, indoor and outdoor air, drinking water, and food. The linear economic model of “take, make, use, waste” is no longer viable.
Heading into Year 4 of the Material Recovery program, Eco-Train and program partners have eliminated over 100,000 pounds of plastic waste and nearly 5,000 pounds of electronic waste. It’s a decent start, but we still have a long way to go. It’s going to take a lot more organizations, and consumers getting on board to make the vision of #WasteFreeFuture a reality.
This year Eco-Train aims to eliminate 1,000,000 lbs. of waste from the wireless industry.
Eco-Train accepts
Phones, tablets and smart-watches
Phone and tablet cases
Data cables, charging hubs and portable chargers.
Mounts and screen protectors/screen protector trays
The Turning Point report may be the most important document ever prepared by Canadian sustainability experts aimed at solving the global plastic pollution crisis. The report was prepared by The Expert Panel on the Circular Economy in Canada. It was commissioned by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) and sponsored by Environment and Climate Change Canada. This report offers guidance on how the Canadian government and Canadian industry must transition away from the traditional “take-make-use-waste” linear economy toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
The project was undertaken with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). Board members are drawn from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), as well as from the general public. The members of the Expert Panel responsible for the report were selected by CCA for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance. This report was prepared in response to a request from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Humanity’s current level of consumption is exceeding Earth’s ability to sustain it. In the current “take-make-use-waste” linear economy, raw materials are extracted to produce goods that are used and then discarded as waste. Though much of what we discard still holds value, just a small portion of materials is cycled back into the economy. The vast majority ends up in landfills, incinerated, or is released into the environment.
The linear economic model of “take, make, use, waste” is no longer viable. Although it has generated an enormous amount of wealth, it has also contributed to excessive extraction of natural resources and accumulation of waste. The linear production system is pushing the planet past its ecological limits and regenerative abilities. As well, it is exacerbating social injustices through the inequitable impact of pollution and distribution of wealth.
The Turning Point report presents a positive alternative for Canada to move forward in addressing these environmental, social, and economic challenges. The circular economy has the ability not only to ease the ecological crisis, but also to create jobs and mitigate social injustices, while allowing Canada to remain economically competitive. The circular economy is increasingly viewed as a desirable future for all economies, and Canada is well positioned to make the transition by coupling a national strategy with regional ventures.
Benefits of transitioning to a more circular economy
Interest in the circular economy is exploding, and its body of work is growing rapidly.
The circular economy is an imperative. Only 6.1% of materials entering the Canadian economy come from recycled sources. This statistic warrants a pause. It means that Canada requires the extraction or import of new material to meet almost 94% of its manufacturing needs, with most material accumulating as either passive infrastructure or as waste. For Canada to maintain its strong economy and global competitiveness, meet its commitments to reducing carbon emissions and maintaining biodiversity, and keep its people prosperous and healthy, it is critical that Canada’s economy to become more circular.
The circular economy calls for systems change. Given the obvious benefits of the circular economy, we may ask why Canada’s economy is not more circular. This is because transitioning from a linear economy to a circular one requires most economic and social systems to change. Governments will need to embrace innovative policy measures and to coordinate the collection, pricing, and reuse of waste across all levels and jurisdictions. Businesses will need to adopt new business models and rework their supply chains. People will need to consume, use, reuse, and access services in new ways. As well, the circular economy will inevitably create winners and losers, and such shifts are especially difficult in an economy that is grounded in natural resource extraction. However, these systems can be changed—not through the action of any single actor, but by everyone coming together and playing a part.
Hitfar Concepts – Eco-Train’s distribution partner for the Phone Case Recovery program in 2020.
Interest in the circular economy is exploding, and its body of work is growing rapidly.
The circular economy is urgent. As this report was going to print, the United Nations’ International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Sixth Assessment Report, which was called “code red for humanity” by the UN Secretary-General. The climate is changing at a faster rate than previously reported, and northern countries, such as Canada, will experience particularly severe impacts. Climate change is attributable to industrial production and the use and discharge of fossil fuels. It is not only imperative that Canada’s economy become more circular, but that it do so quickly.
Some of the most pressing policy challenges facing society today have to do with the state of the planet. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and stress on water and other resources may be environmental issues as we typically think of them, but their impacts are not isolated to just the environment. They affect every aspect of business and life.
There is growing awareness and engagement among various government departments and other stakeholders that solutions to these issues will require collaborative approaches and that siloed methods are no longer viable. The circular economy is a paradigm example of this multi-pronged approach. It necessitates participation from all sectors, including governments, businesses, and civil society.
Turning Point, provides an overview of the circular economy and its current state in Canada, including some of the tools and approaches for measuring it in practice.
The Plastics Recycling Conference is the largest North American gathering of plastics recycling and sustainability professionals, annually bringing together more than 2,000 industry decision-makers. I attended the conference aiming to better understand the current state of the recycling industry in America and get a sense of where things are going between now and 2030. Here’s what I discovered.
Attendees from across the US and around the world learned the plastics recycling industry is becoming increasingly in demand.
Developing collection systems for used unwanted plastics of all types is critical if we are to have any chance at solving the global plastic pollution crisis. Regardless of the industry, supply chain stakeholders (brands, distributors and retailers) across the board must work together to develop material recovery programs to eliminate plastic waste. A radical systems change away from the traditional “take, make, use, dispose” way of doing things must happen, and it must happen fast! Part of the solution rests in understanding what materials are problematic but necessary, and figuring out how to deal with these materials in a sustainable, circular way. The other part of the solution is establishing collection methods that are simple, effective and affordable so that consumers find it easy to send plastics back into the circular economy for another life. The idea of waste itself needs to become outdated and obsolete. Mindlessly throwing things in the garbage, regardless of the material, must change and it must change fast. So, what are America’s major brands saying about all of this?
SC Johnson Presentation slide
Companies like SC Johnson and Nestle have committed all of their brands to become more circular. Their targets and goals are in line with the Ellen McArthur Foundation and New Plastics Economy, to be 100% recyclable by 2025. The goal here is to get to a 100% landfill-free society. There are major challenges to overcome, including product and packaging development, collection and sorting. However, there are many innovative new technologies and solutions becoming available every day. Advances in chemical recycling, AI and robotics will help solve the problem. Chemical recycling answers a need that mechanical recycling can’t solve. The biggest requirement is that everybody must agree to implement strategies, programs and technologies that will lead us down the path of becoming a waste-free society.
Nestle Presentation slide
US Government, both at the state and federal levels are ramping up legislation quickly to help America get on track. Major policy changes are happening. For once, Republicans and Democrats are on the same side of this issue. Advancing the circular economy creates jobs and is great for the environment. How we deal with plastic has a huge amount of mind share within US Government. It’s 10% of the total waste stream but getting 100% of the attention. There have been more hearings in 2020/2021 than in the past 20 years combined in US Congress.
SWANA Presentation – Policy perspectives
One of the re-occurring concerns at the is the challenge of getting consumers to participate in the infrastructure that is being implemented. How do we educate the public to be more mindful of the waste they are putting into the environment? How do we get consumers to change their habits of throwing things of value in the garbage and believing it’s perfectly acceptable? Clearly it is not. Many companies are engaged in purposeful, mission driven work while inspiring consumers to participate. No one company, but all of them working together is required to get the message to consumers.
Eco-Train has set out to make a difference by creating a simple, effective and viable solution for industry stake holders and consumers to eliminate plastic waste from the wireless industry. Our program is working in Canada. Now is the time to bring the program to the United States.
Such an exciting time to be in the plastics recycling industry!
The Phone Case Recovery Program is now in 650+ retail locations in Canada. See what other wireless industry professionals are saying about Eco-Train program on the Testimonials page. If you are a retailer that would like to submit a testimonial please email your inquiry info@eco-train.com.
Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a year-round program, focused on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. The program’s primary purpose is to celebrate our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions. The celebratory nature of the campaign is what motivates learning and behaviour change.
The program’s educational resources and “take action” messaging empower all Canadians to adopt more environmentally conscious choices. Waste Reduction Week in Canada further provides information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living, creating the solutions to the many environmental challenges we face including climate change, water pollution and preservation of natural resources.
THEME DAYS
The Waste Reduction Week in Canada program is structured into seven themes. The themes focus the discussion, promote achievements, and celebrate advancements in each area. Participants have the option to support areas that are most important to them or learn about a new issue.
History
Waste Reduction and Recycling Weeks in Canada started in the mid-1980s, when a number of recycling councils and environmental organizations began holding provincial events. In 2001, the national Waste Reduction Week program was formalized by Circular Innovation Council (formerly Recycling Council of Ontario) who now leads the national campaign with support from a coalition of not-for-profit environmental groups and governments from each of the 13 provincial and territorial jurisdictions across Canada.
This October, join us to celebrate Waste Reduction Week in Canada’s 20th anniversary! This year’s overall theme is Then – Now – Future. We invite you to follow along on Eco-Train’s social media channels as we reflect and look ahead at ways to help advance the circular economy.
Proclaim Oct 18 – 24, 2021 as Waste Reduction Week – HERE
Eco-train is excited to announce the Canada wide “Emission Free” Tour is now complete. CEO and Founder, Bob Cain met with retailers all across Canada over the last ten weeks to discuss how the Phone Case Recovery provides the best solution to eliminating plastic waste generated by the wireless industry. Eco-Train has ensured that Canadian consumers now have the ability to recycle old, unwanted phone and tablet cases, no matter where they live in Canada.
Eco-Train utilized the Tesla Trans-Canada Supercharger network while generating ZERO EMISSIONS along the way.
The full trip from Vancouver to Halifax is documented below as well as on the on the following social media pages.
Retailers subscribe through the following wireless accessory distribution partners.
2021 BRAND SPONSORS
British Columbia – Canada
Connects Wireless – BELL – One of the original 12 first Canadian dealers to participate in the program
APEX Wireless – TELUS – One of the original 12 first Canadian dealers to participate in the program
Andres Wireless – TELUS – One of the original 12 first Canadian dealers to participate in the program
Pela, Eco-Train and Andres Wireless – Three of the original companies to partner on the Phone Case Recovery Program
Tom Harris – TELUS – One of the original 12 first Canadian dealers to participate in the program
Andres Wireless – TELUS
City Furniture – TELUS
Powered up by Tesla in Revelstoke BC
Custom Cellular – TELUS
Alberta – Canada
Phone Experts – TELUS
Clearwest Solutions – TELUS
Phone Experts – TELUS
Saskatchewan, Canada
SaskTel
Jump.ca – SaskTel
The Wireless Age – SaskTel
SaskTel Store
Manitoba – Canada
Advance Cellular
4L Communications – TELUS
Half way to Halifax!
Ontario – Canada
TBayTel
Touch Unwired – TBayTel
Wawa ON
Killarney ON
Niagara Falls, ON
SPECK – Silver Brand Sponsor
Teletron – BELL
BAKA – BELL
That’s right, BAKA has a bee hotel on their property and a community garden!
They also have a solar charging station for their fleet of electric vehicles. Way to go BAKA!
Cesium Telecom and Blu Element – Distribution Partner and Silver Brand Sponsor
Otterbox and Lifeproof – Gold Brand Sponsors
The Mobile Shop
Jump+
Select Wireless – TELUS and KOODO
Parliament Hill – Ottawa
Quebec- Canada
Cooperative Edouard Montpetit
Group Brien – Videotron
Axessorize and Mellow – Distribution partner and Gold Brand Sponsor
Videotron Boutique
Mobile Shop – National Retailer
CellBox
Cesium Telecom – Distribution Partner
Cellulaire Mobile – ROGERS and FIDO
Cellulaire Mobile – ROGERS and FIDO
New Brunswick, Canada
Jump+ – National Premium Apple Retailer
PLAEX Building Systems
PLAEX Building Systems
All phone cases collected in eastern Canada (Winnipeg – PEI) will now be sent to PLAEX as feedstock for their proprietary, composite, interlocking building systems!
Nova Scotia, Canada
Mobile Snap – National Retailer
Mobile Snap
Made it!
Vancouver to Halifax – Complete
Eco-Train brings multiple Brands, Distributors and Retailers together to eliminate the plastic waste generated by the Phone Case Industry.
Canada is a beautiful and diverse country, both culturally and geographically. Here are some of the amazing things I experienced along the way.
2 Oceans (Pacific and Atlantic)
4 Mountain ranges (Coastal, Selkirk, Rockies and Appalachian)
The Prairies
4 Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario)
Canadian Shield, Georgian Bay, French River, St. Laurence Seaway and Fundy tides
8 Provinces (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia)
4 Time Zones
32 Tesla Charging stations – $365 total cost
Business Accomplished
20 retail partner visits
18 meetings with potential new partners.
Secured partnership with PLAEX Building Systems
Recreation along the way
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Paddle boarding
Golfing
Camping
Seeing family and friends in Niagara after 16 months of pandemic travel restrictions – PRICELESS!!
Eco-train is thrilled to announce a partnership with PLAEX Building Systems to provide the most sustainable end-of-use solution for old phone and tablet cases. I recently met with PLAEX’s CEO and Founder, Dustin Bowers to see if phone and tablet cases could be used as a feed stock material for their proprietary composite building materials.
After some preliminary testing – all signs point to YES! Going forward, all phone and tablet cases collected by our eastern Canadian retail partners will now be sent to PLAEX. The team at PLAEX will incorporate these materials into their proprietary composite, interlocking building systems.
PLAEX has worked together with the construction industry to create a robust system that can meet and exceed industry standards, as well as stand up to the increasing environmental demands created by climate change.
Eco-Train is proud to offer the wireless industry a ground breaking solution for the PLASTIC WASTE generated by the Phone Case Industry.
Most individuals would assume almost all of the oxygen we breath comes from trees, and while trees are nothing short of paramount for our existence, diatoms play an unbelievably crucial role in our survival. These single-celled organisms are responsible for 50% of breathable air for all beings. They remove and convert carbon dioxide from the air into oxygen and carbon in the form of sugar. Moreover, using photosynthesis, diatoms produce sugar from the suns energy.
Everyone knows we need to save the trees, but we also need to save the diatoms. The recent rise in climate change is severely affecting diatoms, as their population is inevitably decreasing as a result. Furthermore, diatom populations in different areas are being affected due to floods and droughts, which ultimately affects where they can function and grow.
Diatoms also play a vital role in the food chain. They are food for zooplankton, which are food for a number of other species. Ultimately, the ocean (as well as other water bodies), the species found within these water bodies, and the whole world is dependent on diatoms for survival.
We must not underestimate the capabilities of diatoms. Although they are single-celled microscopic eukaryotes, they have a macroscopic effect on the world.
Most people think of bees as the small, yellow and black insect that makes the sweet, delectable honey that we put in our tea. But in reality, bees are so much more. The world would not be possible without bee’s. Bees give life to all beings. Bees are a unique species that give beauty to the world. But more importantly, bees provide food and life to humans and other animals. Bees are pollinators, and the food chain could not be sustained without pollination. Bees play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems in nature. This allows plants to grow and ecosystems to rejuvenate. Pollination gives life to over 90% of plants on earth. A large portion of the food consumed by humans requires pollination, making bees crucial for our survival. More specifically, bees pollinate over one third of food consumed by humans. To add, not only do bees pollinate plants consumed by humans, but they also play a significant role in the food supply for animals.
We, as humans, need to do our part to maintain the bee population. They are vital in the survival of the human race. Without bees, all ecosystems would be negatively impacted, and the food supply for humans and animals would significantly affected. Plant species could die off, causing other animals to go extinct. Famine would occur in humans without the necessary food that is maintained by bees.
Bees are so much more than small insects. They give life to all species on earth and allow ecosystems to grow and thrive. World Bee Day gives us the opportunity to recognize the significant impact that bees have on the planet, and to do our part to help them do their job of helping us.
Why bees are so important:
Provide food to other species
Pollinate plants all over the world
Give beauty to the earth
Involved in maintaining the food chain
Allow a variety of species to exist with each other
Play a role in the economy for agriculture
What we can do to help bees:
Plant trees, flowers and other species of plants that promote bee pollination
Don’t use insecticides
Support research, charities and organizations committed to helping to sustain the bee population
Educate others on the impact that bees have on the earth
Click on the image to learn more about WORLD BEE DAY!
On World Ocean Day, people everywhere can celebrate and take action for our shared ocean, which connects us all. Get together with your family, community, and /or your company, and join with millions of others around our blue planet to start creating a better future.
By working together, we can — and will — protect and restore our shared ocean. Join this growing global celebration in June and continue to grow the engagement year-round!
Eco-Train is proud to offer our 2021 Brand Sponsors, Distribution and Retail Partners an number of digital resources to help spread the word about World Oceans Day.
Pre-formatted, high resolution images and videos for Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc.) to choose from.
2. Pre-formatted, high resolution images created by WorldOceansDay.org also available.
3. Loads of stunning, raw images to work with to create your own World Oceans Day posts.
By Mary England May 20, 2021.
