Recommended links & hashtags from GN21 meeting "Living without Plastic"
From GN21 meeting hosted by Green Neighbours 21 on Wednesday, November 28, 2018
What a dynamic meeting this was! Here's a big thank you to GN21's awesome meeting organizer, Mariko, and to the excellent speakers ...
* Wanjiro Ndungu from Greenpeace, who told us about their ocean plastics campaign: https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/act/break-free-from-plastic/
* Dayna Stein who told us about Bare Market, Toronto's first one-stop pop-up shop for package-free goods: https://theecowell.com/blogs/podcast/interview-with-dayna-stein-from-bar...
* Sarah Kern who shared about her low-waste lifestyle and her crafty business Upcyclery: http://picdeer.com/theupcyclery
It was an eye-opener to learn about the magnitude of the problem, even right here in Toronto and in the Don and Humber Rivers. But inspiring to have so many concerned people come out, to hear that there are things we can do to start addressing the plastics problem ourselves right now, and to hear about the many exciting community, business, and city initiatives already underway.
See below for a few links and hashtags recommended at the meeting (thanks Kim for recording them for us & Alison for adding a few more!).
Lee Adamson, GN21 Volunteer
Blog about our impact on Lake Ontario
This Blog explains the impact we are having on Lake Ontario and how we can clean up our act. By Lily Li, seafishtales (https://seafishtales.com/). https://baremarket.ca/blogs/bare-blog/lake-tales-waste-to-water
Toronto Community Initiatives:
- Stop Plastics - StopPlastics is a Toronto grassroots movement that advocates for a ban on plastic bags in Toronto as a first step to reducing plastic waste. http://www.stopplastics.ca/
- Zero Waste Hub - Zero Waste Hub Toronto – established January 2018 – is a grassroots not for profit organization with a vision for a waste free Toronto. http://zerowastetoronto.org/
- Bring Your Own Container(BYOC) - BYOC works with the community and businesses to encourage consumers to bring their own reusable containers and ditch single-use items. https://www.instagram.com/byocworldwide/
- Creative Reuse - Diverse group of community members, artists, artisans, environmentalists, educators, academics, community arts workers, planners, film and textile workers, professional organizers, and dedicated residents and volunteers who see the need for sustainable change and who have a vision of how this can be done! http://www.creativereusetoronto.ca/
- Zero Waste Toronto - must request an invite via Facebook, but everyone is allowed. Great tips for working towards a zero waste lifestyle. https://www.facebook.com/groups/466832640187770/
- Boomerang Bags Toronto; https://sharingdepot.ca/2018/02/the-difference-a-bag-makes-the-story-behind-boomerang-bags-toronto/
- Toronto Environmental Alliance RE: new regulations to be voted on by City of Toronto early in 2019 for single use plastics & takeaway items; we need to show support to PWIC & City Council to pass strong enforceable mandatory regulations with consequences: https://www.torontoenvironment.org/take_action
Business Initiatives:
- Bulk Barn's Reusable Container Program: https://www.bulkbarn.ca/Reusable-Container-Program/
- ReVital Polymers, Sarnia's black plastic recycler: http://thesarniajournal.ca/sarnia-recycler-part-of-an-effort-to-cut-sing...
- Karma CoOp has a huge bulk / package free section: http://www.karmacoop.org/
- Anarres Apothecary 1076 Bloor St W on the north side 1 block east of Dufferin carries package free zero waste bodycare products and DIY ingredients: http://anarreshealth.ca/
City of Toronto initiatives:
- Waste Wizard tool online: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/waste-wizard/
- TOwaste App is the mobile phone Waste Wizard available on smart phones: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/towaste-app/
- Long-Term Waste Management Strategy: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/long...
Hashtags suggested by Wanjiro (Greenpeace):
- #breakfreefromplastics
See this link for the Break Free From Plastics website: https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/
- #IsThisYours?
From Greenpeace: That’s what we’re asking the brands whose plastic pollution is choking our planet. We’re gathering evidence that single-use plastic packaging is ending up where it shouldn’t be, and holding the corporate polluters accountable.
Upcoming zero waste event:
6th Annual Holiday Gift Swap with Toronto Tool Library, The Sharing Depot, & Craftic @ CSI 192 Spadina on Dec 16th. Free. https://www.universe.com/events/6th-annual-holiday-gift-swap-tickets-toronto-PGNVZ2