Vancouver Economic Commission and the City of Vancouver, with Challenge delivery support from Foresight Canada, have joined forces to find innovative, zero waste technologies that can eliminate waste issues or save landfill space through a special call for innovation: Project Greenlight. 

Vancouver has ambitious plans to become a zero waste city by 2040. But with Metro Vancouver producing 3.5 million tonnes of solid waste every year — 30x the weight of the CN Tower — the Vancouver Landfill is on pace to reach its tonnage capacity limit earlier than the original projection of 2037. 

Through Project Greenlight, Vancouver Economic Commission and the City of Vancouver are seeking innovative solutions that will reduce waste going to landfill, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and help meet Vancouver’s zero waste goals. 

Successful technologies should have a low footprint with minimal infrastructure requirements, while addressing biodegradables, recyclables, electronics, and residuals, as well as composite and other wastes. Solutions may also be passive displays that exhibit innovative technologies, such as natural walls or improved concrete products. 

Five to 10 ventures will be chosen to pilot their technologies for two years at the new Zero Waste Demonstration Site  — a former recycling receiving yard that will serve as a co-location for innovators to explore the scaling of technologies that reduce waste, increase resource recovery and green jobs, and decrease greenhouse gases. 

In addition to solving these important waste issues, the selected innovators will be in a prime position to demonstrate their technology solutions to an audience of potential clients, investors, strategic partners, and other important stakeholders, while leveraging the City of Vancouver’s $31 billion brand to increase exposure and expand connections to customers, investments and partnerships. 

Next Steps for Innovators

To give innovators an opportunity to learn more about Project Greenlight, including desired outcomes, eligibility criteria, as well as a Q&A period, Foresight is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, January 10. 

Once innovators feel they have a solution to offer Vancouver Economic Commission and the City of Vancouver, they can apply to join the Zero Waste Demonstration Site here.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2023. Selected proposals will be announced March 31, 2023.