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Over the past four years, Québec’s economy has become less circular, according to the updated Circularity Gap Report (CGR®) Québec released today. In 2021, 3.5% of materials used in the provincial economy came from recycled sources. By 2025, this figure is 2.5%. This trend underscores the need for urgent action.
The new report, produced by the impact organisation Circle Economy in collaboration with RECYC-QUÉBEC, examines the state of the circular economy in Québec four years after the first Circularity Gap Report Québec (2021). While the initial report prompted provincial authorities to adopt the Circular Economy Roadmap 2024–2028, the new policies have yet to improve Québec’s circularity rate.
The decline in circularity is largely attributed to persistent overconsumption. Québec residents consume an average of 46 tonnes of materials per person per year—nearly four times the global average. This leads to a rising amount of waste, which overwhelms the province’s recycling systems, pushing its circularity rate down.
The report also highlights a decline in Québec’s material productivity. In 2019, the province generated 16% less economic value in CA$ per tonne of materials than in 2016, indicating a less efficient economy.
Material overconsumption hampers Québec’s climate goals. While over 99% of its electricity comes from renewable sources, emissions embedded in imported goods remain high. Québec’s consumption-based carbon footprint stands at 14 tonnes per capita—double the global average of seven tonnes. More than half of these emissions are tied to goods and services produced abroad.
The report commends Québec’s authorities for recent policy efforts to improve circularity. In particular, the Circular Economy Roadmap 2024–2028 outlines concrete actions to close material loops and commits to using Circle Economy’s Circularity Metric for monitoring progress, enabling data-driven decisions and accountability.
However, the CGR Québec 2025 stresses that further policy action is needed for meaningful progress. It recommends setting clear, sector-specific targets for reducing the province’s material footprint. These targets should be supported by robust monitoring and collaboration across sectors.
Policies should also make it easier for businesses to adopt circular practices. Suggested measures include making recycled materials cheaper and subsidising circular business models, such as repair and rental services. Lastly, policies could prioritise reuse, refurbishment, and extending the lifetime of existing materials and products. This would allow the province to retain value within its borders and reduce dependence on volatile global supply chains.
