Robert Raynor works with project teams who salvage, sort, and reuse deconstructed materials from old buildings. These materials are then put towards the development of new infrastructure.  

Raynor determines the total embodied carbon of every element of the project: materials, equipment, transportation, and other facets. He implements sustainable strategies to minimize carbon emissions. Through his work, reusing materials, Raynor is a leader in the circular economy.  

“One of the greatest challenges of our generation is the need to build more while polluting less. Meaningfully achieving anywhere close to ‘net-zero’ requires a pointed and coordinated collective effort,” he says. 

With multiple projects completed and several in development, he is prioritizing circularity. Sustainability is at the core of his mission. 

Raynor emphasizes the dire need for action on the climate crisis. To him, the development industry needs to pivot towards a more circular model. He is one of many voices stressing this necessity. Raynor believes if we continue our current wasteful economic blueprint, the world will face catastrophic consequences. His involvement at TAS is his way of preserving the natural world.  

2 Tecumseth Street in downtown Toronto is an active TAS project Raynor is working on. The lot contains a decommissioned abattoir and a century-old garbage incinerator. The space is being renewed to create a scenic and natural community hub.  

For Raynor, 2 Tecumseth is just the start of what is needed to solve the climate crisis. It is where this story begins. 

Robert Raynor has a lifelong passion for the outdoors; hiking, biking, swimming, and everything else nature offers. As a child, he often did these activities with his father.  

He’s also maintained an interest in infrastructure.  

To Raynor, these two ideas are not mutually exclusive. He doesn’t like the development industry’s habit of creating environmental pollution. Raynor believes there is exciting potential for positive change within this sector. And that’s what he set out to accomplish. 

Raynor received his master's degree in architecture from the University of Toronto earlier this year. His professor, Kelly Doran, is a mentor to him. For his class, he did a thesis project on measuring the embodied carbon of buildings. This experience gave him tangible insight on how to examine a building’s carbon output. He researched the potential for sustainable cities that could be created on farm fields. He started to think freely about ways we could revolutionize infrastructure.  

The development firm, TAS, recognized Raynor’s passion. He currently works at the company as the Net-Zero Coordinator – working to ensure green development and functionality for infrastructure. He plays a pivotal role in making sure project teams are reusing old, deconstructed materials for new buildings. TAS's goal is to have a net-zero carbon portfolio by 2045. 

Raynor says we are visitors on this planet. Ensuring that we make it livable for future generations is his gift to humanity. Our actions have consequences, and he says we must keep a clean social conscience. 

It’s a mixture of his creativity and compassion that makes Robert Raynor a trailblazer in the circular economy. 

Let’s head to Belgium to see how local initiatives, an ocean apart, are contributing to a global circular economy by designing out waste, repurposing or regenerating.

Recyclage Gantoise is a project led by Ghent-based VZW Mozaïek. They have a special goal: to sustain a circular value chain for hospitals in the city.  

The non-profit receives garments from hospitals and carefully removes the sticker materials. After the items are made ready for recycling, they are processed into polymer granules. This material is used to create car dashboards. 

The project is addressing the climate crisis – but also the needs of vulnerable people. Not everyone fits into the standard labour market in our society. Through Recyclage Gantoise, meaningful opportunities are created for people with various disabilities and challenges. 

It started out small. Led by Karen Vansteenwegen and her team, it has grown into a full-fledged day program within their centre.  

Research has been conducted into other materials where hospitals can help in the recycling process. The organisation has received subsidies that will allow them to do even more additional research.  

This circular initiative has gained formal recognition. It received the Circuit Circulair award from the City of Ghent. VZW Mozaïek is committed to sustainable development for climate and for society.