Category: Project Resources

econext partners with Ocean Startup Project to present innovation spotlights for idea challenge

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
June 5, 2024

econext has partnered with the Ocean Startup Project to present a series of innovation spotlights to help inspire entrepreneurs competing in The Ocean Idea Challenge.

The Ocean Idea Challenge invites aspiring entrepreneurs to begin their customer discovery journey, aimed at turning innovative ideas into viable solutions for sustainable ocean industries.

“The development of ocean technology is one of our great innovative strengths in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “We want to double down on that and do what we can to help create a wave of new startups focused on environmental sustainability in our oceans.”

Hanley said that one way econext can contribute is by providing entrepreneurs with real world environmental challenges that industry is facing. “Not every entrepreneurially-minded person comes to table with an idea in hand, and so we are helping by seeding a few ideas worth exploring.”

“Collaboration between industry and startups is crucial in bringing fresh and innovative perspectives to expert-identified ocean challenges,” said Paula Mendonça, Executive Director at the Ocean Startup Project. “By working together, we not only lend credibility and validation to these emerging companies but also give them a significant advantage in their customer discovery journey. It’s through this synergy that we can drive meaningful change and propel our industries forward, creating a future where innovation and expertise go hand in hand.”

More information on the Ocean Idea Challenge can be found here.

Winners of the challenge receive:

  • Funding: Secure up to $7,000 to support your early stages of customer discovery and help bring your ideas to fruition.
  • Resources and Support: Access local technology innovation hubs, receive expert guidance, and utilize extensive resources to refine your project.
  • Network Building: Engage with potential teammates, partners, and industry leaders who are equally committed to the health of our oceans.

Innovation Spotlights

econext submitted the following industry challenges for entrepreneurs to consider:

Offshore Energy

Canada’s oceans present a new challenge for offshore wind developments: icebergs. To realize the region’s full economic potential, new technologies and procedures are needed to mitigate the risks that icebergs may present to offshore wind farms. Challenge: Develop a solution to predict the flow and/or mitigate the risks of icebergs on offshore wind farms and infrastructure.

Fuel switching for marine transportation

Ships and boats are long-term investments; while future vessels may incorporate renewable technologies in their designs, fossil fuels dependent vessels will still be on our waters for many years. Given the size of Canada’s ocean sectors and the important role that marine transportation plays, economical approaches to fuel switching for marine transportation are required if Canada is to meet its net zero by 2050 commitments. Challenge: Develop economical and scalable solutions for retrofitting existing marine vessels to utilize alternative, low-emission fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, or biofuels, ensuring compatibility with current infrastructure and operational demands.

Storm surge modeling

Climate change is causing more intense storm activity more often in Canada. Storm surges have proven to have the capacity to inflict a great deal of damage to our communities, and this is true in many places of the world. Better storm surge modeling may prove to have important benefits from the perspective of infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness, etc. Challenge: Develop advanced modeling tools that can predict the impact of storm surges with greater accuracy and provide real-time data integration. These tools should be designed to assist in urban planning, emergency response strategies, and the development of infrastructure capable of withstanding severe weather events.

Wastewater

Regions across Canada have a significant wastewater problem. The discharge of sewage to the ocean environment in the form of treated or untreated wastewater can have serious impacts on life. The investment, installation, monitoring, and maintenance related to most technologies is a burden that most small communities find extremely difficult to bear. New approaches and solutions are required to help Canada to discontinue this environmentally unsustainable practice. Challenge: Develop cost-effective, low-maintenance wastewater treatment solutions tailored for small communities in Canada. These solutions should minimize environmental impact, be easy to implement and maintain, and effectively reduce or eliminate the discharge of harmful contaminants into the marine environment.

Registration

Registration for the Ocean Idea Challenge is open from Tuesday, April 30 until Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 11:59pm PT. Click here for more information.

econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

The Ocean Startup Project propels Canada as the top destination for ocean entrepreneurs, driving innovation across the ocean economy. Our mission is to transform Canada into a global hub where ocean startups can thrive, from inception to global market presence. Leveraging a network that includes Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and partners from across the country – Genesis, Springboard Atlantic, PEI BioAlliance, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), Technopole Maritime du Québec (TMQ), Invest Nova Scotia, and the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) – we bolster Canada’s innovation ecosystem for ocean-focused startups. Our efforts have catapulted us to the forefront, being recognized in the top 5 accelerators/incubators in North America and top 10 globally in the Blue Economy sector according to Startup Genome’s Report. Launched in 2020, we’ve quickly become a global contender, not only speeding up market access for Canadian startups but also attracting international ventures. Join us in navigating the future of the ocean economy, where together, we can unlock the ocean’s full potential. Learn more about The Ocean Startup Project at https://oceanstartupproject.ca/.

econext ideathon | March 1-3, 2024 | Corner Brook

Posted on by Alex Rumbolt


This event took place March 1-3, 2024. Click here to read the news release which summarizes the event and highlights the winning teams!

econext Clean Growth Ideathon

Embrace the Future of Clean Growth! econext is thrilled to announce it’s second ideathon, paving the way for innovative solutions that will drive sustainable progress in Newfoundland and Labrador. This time, we are teaming up with Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre and Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise, and heading to Corner Brook! The weekend-long event, open to students enrolled in a university or college program in NL, will be taking place in-person March 1-3, 2024.

 

Challenge – From an NL perspective, determine a problematic waste stream and develop an innovative solution for reducing and/or repurposing the waste material

View the econext opening ceremony slideshow here to learn about the event logistics.

View the challenge slideshow here.

View the mentor’s schedule here.

 

What is an ideathon?

Ideathons are competitive events in which students work together in teams over a short timeframe to come up with solutions to a set challenge. Our ideathons are a space to develop innovative solutions for clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The specific challenge, relating to clean growth, will be released at the beginning of the weekend where we will provide you with all the necessary information needed to participate.

Teams will consist of 3-5 students.

Learn more about our previous ideathon here.

Who can participate?

This is a multi-disciplinary event and we welcome any students enrolled in a university or college program of study in Newfoundland and Labrador to participate. If you are interested in clean growth, we encourage you to join us!

When and where?

The ideathon will take place in-person at Memorial University Grenfell Campus over a 48-hour period from March 1-3, 2024.

We encourage students to stay on campus while working to take part in workshops and activities and to benefit from mentors.

Why should you participate?

  • We will be awarding cash prizes to the top three teams:  $3,000 for 1st Place, $2,000 for 2nd Place, and $1,000 for 3rd Place! PLUS more non-tangible prizes.
  • Network with people in the industry as well as your peers
  • Workshop opportunities
  • Learn about the clean growth industry
  • Team building
  • You will be provided with free meals, snacks, and swag
  • Group activities
  • Have some fun!

How to register?

Click Here to Register!

Registration is individual, but you will be required to work on teams of 3-5 students. Submission of teams will take place on the evening of Friday March 1. If you have already established a team, you will be required to submit your teams then. If you haven’t already established a team, there will be opportunity throughout the evening to network to form teams. We will assist in matching individuals to teams as needed.

Deadline to register is February 26, 2024. Click Here to Register!

Registration is completely free!

What is the schedule?

Our ideathon is a 48-hour event, beginning on Friday, March 1 at 5pm and ending on Sunday, March 3 at 5pm.

Have questions?

Reach out to Alex Rumbolt at alex@econext.ca or Chelsea Linfield at chelsea@econext.ca

Stay tuned for more information! We will be updating this page in the coming weeks as the ideathon approaches.

 

The econext Ideathon was made possible through partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.

Riding the Storm: How coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador are bracing for more intense hurricanes in a changing climate

Posted on by kieran

This post is part of a series of articles to help create awareness of green economy challenges and opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

In late September 2022, residents of Channel-Port aux Basques experienced a storm like no other.

Fiona reached the town located at the extreme southwestern tip of Newfoundland as a post-tropical storm equivalent to a Category 2 Atlantic Hurricane. It lashed out against the coastal town with winds whipped up to 135 kilometers per hour and a storm surge that broke the record for the highest water level ever recorded in the area.

Family homes which had stood for generations were ripped from their foundations. The sheer force of the event left an indelible mark on the landscape and amidst the chaos, a sense of resilience emerged as communities came together to support each other through the turbulent times.

Fiona’s toll included widespread physical destruction to homes and businesses, and a community reeling with unimaginable loss. For those living in so many of the coastal communities in this province, the storm also leaves behind an uncertain future. With the world getting warmer due to climate change, they can likely expect more intense hurricanes to reach their shores. In other words, the storms that do hit are going to hit harder than ever before.

To protect against the impacts of powerful storms – whether through improved forecasting tools, stronger infrastructure, or government policy – coastal communities need to adapt to climate change impacts to safeguard themselves from the increasingly destructive forces of nature.

When it comes to predicting and preparing for hurricanes, understanding their ingredients is key.

Just like a cookie needs the right balance of sugar, flour, and butter to turn out perfectly, a hurricane needs certain conditions to form and strengthen.

  1. First and foremost, warm ocean water is essential, with a surface temperature of at least 26 degrees Celsius required. As the saying goes, “heat rises,” and it’s no different with hurricanes. The warmer the water, the more energy is available to fuel the storm.
  2. Next, there needs to be plenty of moisture in the air. This helps feed the storm and keeps it growing.
  3. Low wind shear is also crucial. This refers to the difference in wind speed and direction at different altitudes. If there is too much wind shear, it can disrupt the storm’s circulation and weaken it.
  4. Finally, there needs to be certain atmospheric conditions or a disturbance in place, such as a thunderstorm, for a hurricane to form. Without this initial spark, the storm won’t have anything to build upon. Imagine blending all these elements together, like the ingredients of a recipe, and what do you get? A hurricane, right? Well, not always. Even when all these factors align perfectly, the magic doesn’t guarantee that a hurricane will emerge every time. It’s like nature’s own unpredictable masterpiece!


Video Courtesy NOAA SciJinks

Hurricane return periods tell us how often we can expect a hurricane of a certain strength to hit a particular area. For instance, a return period of 20 years for a major hurricane means that, historically, a Category 3 or higher hurricane has made landfall within 50 nautical miles of that location an average of five times in the past 100 years. Therefore, we could anticipate around five more of these severe storms to hit that area over the next century. In our new climate reality, we’re staring down the barrel of a future where these extreme weather events are becoming more frequent (unless we take drastic action to combat climate change) rather than generational events.

Trying to figure out how climate change will affect hurricanes might seem really hard. But with advanced global climate models, a deep understanding of how hurricanes work, and looking at past hurricane patterns, scientists are getting better at predicting these strong storms. Still, it’s important to remember that there’s some uncertainty, even though we’re making progress in how we study them. So, there’s hope, but we’re not completely certain yet.

Did you know:

Hurricane Fiona was the costliest extreme weather event ever recorded in Atlantic Canada, with an estimated $660 million in insured damages.
Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ)

It takes a community

The community of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove (LBMCOC) is nestled on the northeastern coast of the Avalon Peninsula. Residents there are all too familiar with the mounting threats posed by a rise in the frequency and severity of fall and winter storms.

With the relative sea level rising on the Avalon peninsula, residents find themselves at the mercy of higher storm surges and increased wave action which cause coastal erosion. Heavier rains bring flooding, landslides, and impacts river water quality, posing a danger to public health.

In 2010, the town participated in the piloting of a climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning workbook. Through a series of community discussions, residents and local leaders identified key climate-related issues affecting the town and mapped out areas that were particularly vulnerable to flooding.

The town council concluded that they needed to be proactive concerning the things they can control within their municipal boundaries by implementing adaptation options to reduce flood risks into the future. These included:

  • Rezoning vulnerable areas in sensitive areas, like wetlands, and protecting waterways
  • Lining ditches with rock and material designed to reduce the velocity of water flows
  • Diverting flows from waterways that are more susceptible to damage from flood events (e.g., damming, storing overflow)
  • Establishing more routine checks on existing culverts and bridges to keep the areas clear of debris and tree falls
  • Strategies for communication in the event of a flood

Water Control: How to beat the flooding odds

When it comes to sewer backup and basement flooding due to extreme weather, homes are taking a beating. The good news is that this damage is largely preventable. That’s why local governments and private property owners must act now to turn the tide.

A comprehensive strategy which includes communication, local actions, and incentives for private property owners is key to reducing the risk of damage from sewer backup and basement flooding caused by extreme weather events.


Courtesy of FloodSmart Canada

Coastal towns in Newfoundland and Labrador can look to other communities across Canada for inspiration and best practices. Many have taken it upon themselves to solve this problem. They set a great example for the rest by taking important actions that reduce the risk of basement flooding like the installation of backwater valves, sump pumps, storm lateral replacement or lot grading.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3IKd1Lk

Interested in getting ready for floods? Dive into these helpful tools:

Newfoundland’s coastal communities were built to survive. These actions demonstrate the ingenuity and determination of the residents of LBMCOC in the face of a rapidly changing climate. With communities around the world facing similar challenges as sea levels continue to rise and storm events become more intense, it is time for government leaders and policy makers at all levels to take notice and take action. By addressing, and adapting to, the impacts of climate change today, our coastal towns and cities may continue to thrive in the face of adversity.

Acknowledgements and Resources

Written by Dave Lank with contributions from Sepehr Khosravi

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2023, January 20). How do hurricanes form? NOAA. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/how-hurricanes-form.html

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (2012). Logy Bay – Middle Cove – Outer Cove Case Study. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment by Policy and Planning Division of Department of Environment and Conservation.

Ward, N. Roberts, D (2022, September 24). ‘Total devastation’ as Port aux Basques declares state of emergency due to post-tropical storm Fiona. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/hurricane-fiona-nl-saturday-1.6594422

Insurance Bureau of Canada (2022, October 19). Hurricane Fiona causes $660 million in insured damage. IBC. https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/news/hurricane-fiona-causes-660-million-in-insured-damage

econext ideathon | September 22-24, 2023

Posted on by Alex Rumbolt

This event took place September 22-24, 2023. Click here to read the news release which summarizes the event and highlights the winning teams!

 


Registration is now open for the first econext clean growth ideathon!

 

Challenge – How can we reduce the peak demand for electricity in Newfoundland and Labrador?

View the econext opening ceremony slideshow here to learn about the event logistics.

View the NL Power/Take Charge slideshow here to learn more about the challenge.

View the Key Green Economy Concepts presentation here.

View the mentor’s schedule here.

What is an ideathon?

Ideathons are competitive events in which students work together in teams over a short timeframe to come up with solutions to a set challenge. Our ideathons are a space to develop innovative solutions for clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The prompt will be released at the beginning of the weekend and we will provide you with all the necessary information needed to complete the challenge.

Who can participate?

This is a multi-disciplinary event and we welcome any undergraduate student from Memorial University to participate. If you are interested in clean growth, we encourage you to join us!

When and where?

The ideathon will take place in the MUN Core Science Facility over a 48-hour period from September 22-24, 2023. Find the full event schedule below.

Most of the event will occur in the Core Science building in the whale atrium and the multi-purpose room. Students are responsible for finding their own places to work; however, there is a working area in the Core Science building. We encourage students to stay on campus while working to take part in workshops and activities and to benefit from mentors.

Why should you participate?

  • We will be awarding cash prizes to the top three teams: $3,000 for 1st Place, $2,000 for 2nd Place, and $1,000 for 3rd Place! PLUS more non-tangible prizes.
  • Network with people in the industry as well as your peers
  • Workshop opportunities
  • Learn about the clean growth industry
  • Team building
  • You will be provided with free meals, snacks, and swag
  • Group activities
  • Have some fun!

How to register?

Click Here to Register

Register using our Eventbrite.

Sign up solo or in teams of three-to-five students. We encourage students to register as teams where possible; however, we will try our best to match individual registrants to a team. There will also be an opportunity on the first evening to network to form teams. Final submission of teams will take place on the evening of Friday September 22.

Deadline to register is September 20, 2023.

Registration is completely free!

What is the schedule?

Our ideathon is a 48-hour event, beginning on Friday, September 22 at 5pm and ending on Sunday, September 24 at 5:30pm.

Our Partners

1ST PLACE PRIZE

2ND PLACE PRIZE

3RD PLACE PRIZE

OPENING CEREMONIES

MEAL SPONSOR

 

PARTNER

Have questions?

Reach out to Alex Rumbolt at alex@econext.ca or Chelsea Linfield at chelsea@econext.ca

Stay tuned for more information! We will be updating this page in the coming weeks as the ideathon approaches.

 

The econext Ideathon was made possible through partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, and with support from the Government of Canada.

 

econext hosts research connector event to foster clean energy innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
July 4, 2023

This June econext, in partnership with Memorial University’s Research Innovation Office (RIO), held an event that explored opportunities to connect industry needs with research expertise.

“One of econext‘s primary objectives is to stimulate clean growth innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “One of the ways that we do this is by working with our members to understand their challenges and opportunities, and then engaging with local research institutions to see if we can find a match.”

The event featured a number of econext members presenting on their challenge or opportunity to an audience of pre-identified researchers at Memorial University. Researchers then presented on their areas of expertise and interest. “The next step is for us to do what we can to match-make and encourage collaborative research projects between industry and academia.”

Last week’s event had a thematic focus on ‘batteries’ – for storage, EV charging and even recycling. “Electrification and energy storage are concepts that are both key to our province’s net zero objectives and clean energy growth,” said Hanley. “This is an area where econext will be very active in acting as a catalyst for innovation in the province.”

“The team at RIO works to bring industry partners and Memorial researchers together to help solve real challenges in today’s world,” said Dr. Paula Mendonça, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Memorial University. “Through our ongoing partnership with econext, we are able to enhance awareness about the world-class expertise and facilities available at Memorial. We look forward to future conversations and support clean energy solutions in the region.”

econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

RIO helps identify resources and facilitate connections to move ideas towards opportunities via industry connection, funding, IP support and programming. More information can be found at mun.ca/RIO.

White Paper – Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on by kieran

Building on discussions held at the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Workshop in September, this white paper explores technical, economic, and policy considerations related to advancing the technology and its application in the Newfoundland and Labrador context.

This white paper is a product of The Net Zero Project. The Net Zero Project was formed by Energy NL, econext, and OilCo in early 2022 with a primary objective to ensure the long-term sustainable future of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry by embracing and analyzing lower-emission pathways in line with broader provincial and national objectives of achieving net zero by 2050.

Download White Paper

econext partners with the Ocean Startup Project to stimulate clean growth innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
August 16, 2022

St. John’s (NL) – econext is working with the Ocean Startup Project to highlight industry challenges related to Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean growth economy.

The partnership is part of the Ocean Startup Challenge which aims to uncover and support early stage entrepreneurial ideas or technologies in the oceans sector. The Ocean Startup Challenge will award approximately $750,000 to founders and teams across the country. In addition to the funding, winners will receive ocean-specific programming, mentorship, one-on-one sessions with Executives-in-Residence and industry experts, networking opportunities and more.

“Our province is home to a world class cleantech cluster, with much of our technology being oceans focused,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO at econext. “It is important to recognize and build on these strengths to help solve the problems that will help fight climate change and grow our green and blue economies.” Hanley said that partnering with the Ocean Startup Project to present Innovation Spotlights will help draw attention to opportunities particularly relevant in the Newfoundland and Labrador context.

Innovation Spotlights aim to inspire and encourage prospective entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge technologies and solve real-world problems the ocean sector is facing. These Innovation Spotlights are areas where Canadian-based innovators can achieve significant wins based on capability, natural assets and skillset, while driving change within the industry that is more sustainable and efficient.

“We are seeing really strong momentum in Canada’s ocean startup ecosystem with net-new entrepreneurs, more research being commercialized and new ocean hubs being created to foster ocean technology,” said Donald Grant, Executive Director at the Ocean Startup Project. “What we know in Canada is that there is a deep, inherent knowledge of the ocean, world-class research occurring and an awakening appetite for sustainable, innovative solutions – and that is what we are intending to leverage through the Ocean Startup Challenge and Innovation Spotlights.”

The partnership is highlighting three industry challenges, including:

  • The development of a more reliable and lower-cost technology and/or process to monitor and manage the subsea assets of clean energy infrastructure that will withstand the challenges presented by the North Atlantic (e.g., icebergs, geology, weather conditions). More Info
  • The development of a technology and/or process that allows ports to maximize the role that they can play in electricity supply and demand management to the benefit of electricity grids. More Info
  • The development of a technology and/or process that allows for finding value in or alternative disposal methods for plastic wastes associated with aquaculture operations. More Info

Hanley said that the Innovation Spotlights were designed to align with emerging clean growth opportunities in the province, as well as with environmental challenges it is already facing. “The solutions that we develop right here in Newfoundland and Labrador can be exported and applied worldwide; we hope to spark the interest of creative and innovative minds here in this province by putting these forward,” Hanley said.

More information on the Ocean Startup Challenge and Innovation Spotlights can be found at https://oceanstartupproject.ca/challenge/. Applications for the 2022 Ocean Startup Challenge are open until September 1, 2022 at 11:59pm ADT.

econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, working on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

The Ocean Startup Project inspires, initiates and invests, making Canada the best place in the world to start and grow an ocean venture. The project team creates and delivers activities to support ideation through commercialization, for innovators and entrepreneurs from industry to academia. The Ocean Startup Project offerings complement existing industry accelerators, incubators and other support organizations across Canada’s world-class innovation ecosystem. Together with our partners – Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), Genesis Centre, Innovacorp, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, PEI BioAlliance, Springboard Atlantic, Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST), and Technopole Maritime du Québec (TMQ) – the Ocean Startup Project is accelerating how homegrown startups get their technologies to market and attract international companies to Canada’s shores.

— 30 —

Media Contacts:

Kieran Hanley
CEO
kieran@econext.ca

Laurie Snell
Director of Marketing and Communications, Ocean Startup Project
lsnell@oceanstartupproject.ca

What We Heard – Organics Waste to Value Forum

Posted on by kieran

econext partnered with The Harris Centre in 2022 with participants from forestry, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, local and provincial government, academia, research institutions, and others in the organization and delivery of a forum to explore potential “waste-to-value” opportunities for industrial organic waste streams in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The event was also in partnership with the NL Forestry Industry Association (NLFIA), the NL Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), the NL Federation of Agriculture (NLFA), the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), and the Association of Seafood Producers.

The Harris Centre published a ‘What We Heard’ document stemming from the workshop to inform future activities and potential initiatives. Click here to download the report.

Climate Action in Newfoundland and Labrador Communities

Posted on by kieran

econext engaged with 42 community stakeholders across the province to understand their climate action priorities. The purpose of the research was to help econext understand the current level of climate action taking place in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the future initiatives and projects that were being prioritized.

Download PDF

Identifying Value from Waste Opportunities for Atlantic Canada

Posted on by kieran

In 2022 econext worked with Springboard Atlantic Inc. to determine opportunities to identify value from waste across four primary resources sectors within Atlantic Canada including fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, and agriculture.

The intent of the project was to identify waste management challenges faced by these sectors and the potential role of research and development (R&D) in addressing these challenges by extracting value from waste streams.

The scope of work included extensive stakeholder engagement through interviews with industry, the preparation of a summary report on value from waste opportunities, the evaluation of potential challenges including the development of an evaluation matrix and prioritization of challenges, the drafting of potential “challenge” statements to guide potential Springboard engagement in R&D on behalf of industry, vetting of challenge statements with industry and institutions, and finalization of challenge statements.

Download the Report