A group of forward-thinking Cowichan businesses have been accepted into the Circular Economy Accelerator Program delivered by Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA) in partnership with Synergy Foundation. These future circular economy leaders will work with a Synergy advisor to green operations while reducing costs and increasing revenues.
The Circular Economy Accelerator Program – the first of its kind in Canada – is designed to support businesses who seek to adopt circular economy principles, reduce waste and emissions, and develop innovative practices to spur the transition to a sustainable, resilient economy. The program will provide hands-on support to 16 businesses across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, including 4 Cowichan-based businesses: West Coast Pre Fab, Nexus Modular Solutions, Dinter Nursery, and Duncan Paving.
West Coast Pre Fab works with structural steel to build projects such as schools, warehouses, and retail centres, with full design, fabrication and installation services. They are based in Chemainus. Nexus Modular Solutions is a specialty contractor providing modular residential, multifamily and commercial design and construction services on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. They recently relocated to a new factory and headquarters in Cobble Hill. Dinter Nursery is a family owned and operated garden centre offering an outstanding selection of plants and gardening supplies on their 8-acre property just south of Duncan. Duncan Paving is a member of the OK Industries family, providing paving services to meet the needs of residential, commercial and local government customers. Their plant is located on Highway 18 near Drinkwater Road in North Cowichan.
Each of these businesses will receive an on-site assessment with a Synergy circular advisor, resulting in a custom report outlining key opportunities to reduce waste, energy use, and emissions. The reports will identify cost savings and value-add opportunities.
More broadly, the Accelerator program will position Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast businesses and participating regions as leaders in circular economy development, creating a stronger competitive advantage and sustainability focus that will support climate targets and attract talent and investment. The program will also strengthen the Island’s business network, build resiliency, reduce community landfill waste, and increase sales of local circular products and services.
The project is supported by the Island Coastal Economic Trust and regional VICEDA partners, including the Cowichan Valley Regional District and Municipality of North Cowichan.
This article first appeared in Business Examiner Vancouver Island’s November 2022 edition.
