NLight Joining Project Zero econext Circular Economy Incubator
We are excited to announce that NLight Recycling Inc. has been accepted into the Project Zero Circular Economy Incubator hosted by econext. This opportunity marks a significant step forward in our mission to build a circular textile recycling system in Newfoundland.
By Kassy Keats
Published on Thu May 07 2026
Project Zero Incubator Announcement with NLight team at econext Conference What is the Project Zero Circular Economy Incubator?
The Project Zero Incubator is a clean growth initiative designed to support early-stage ventures that are working to reduce waste, lower emissions, and contribute to the transition to a circular economy. Through mentorship, industry connections, and targeted programming, the incubator helps startups to build their business models and scale impactful solutions.
Led by econext, the program brings together entrepreneurs, industry experts, and partners across Newfoundland & Labrador who are committed to advancing sustainable innovation. Participants gain access to resources that are often difficult to secure at the early stages of a venture, including strategic guidance, networking opportunities, and exposure to potential funders and collaborators.
The Importance of the Project Zero Circular Economy Incubator to NLight
At NLight, our goal is to develop a localized textile-to-textile recycling system that diverts post-consumer textile waste from landfills and recovers valuable materials such as cotton fibres and polyester pellets. In NL, the majority of post-consumer textiles are currently landfilled or incinerated, resulting in environmental harm.
Being part of the Project Zero Incubator directly supports our ability to address this challenge.
This program will enable us to:
- Strengthen our operational and business strategy as we move toward implementation
- Access mentorship from leaders in clean technology and circular economy development
- Refine our approach to scaling textile recycling in a region with unique geographic and infrastructure challenges
Accelerating Circular Economy solutions in Newfoundland & Labrador
One of the most valuable aspects of the incubator is its focus on regional impact. Newfoundland & Labrador faces barriers when it comes to waste management and recycling infrastructure, but it also presents an opportunity to develop new community-focused solutions.
NLight Recycling is working to fill an important gap by creating a system that not only diverts textile waste but also recovers high-value materials that can re-enter the supply chain. By doing so, we aim to contribute to emissions reduction, local job creation, and the development of a circular economy within the province.
The Project Zero Incubator provides a platform to accelerate this work and ensure that our model is both scalable and sustainable.
NLight Team winning at Econext Ideathon 2025 Looking Ahead
As we move through the program, we are focused on building partnerships, validating our processes, and advancing toward implementation. Opportunities like this are integral in turning early-stage ideas into tangible, real-world solutions.
We are grateful to econext for their support and for fostering a growing industry of clean innovation in Newfoundland & Labrador.