Concerned about Climate Change?
For those looking at getting more involved in climate activism, I encourage you to review, support and connect with the many organizations that are active on climate issues.
Foundation for Environmental Stewardship
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Coffee Cups Now Accepted in Blue Box
As of July 3, 2024, Toronto residents are able to recycle beverage cups at home and other eligible locations. Full details here.
Please follow these instructions for easier sorting and processing at the recycling facility:
Rinse the cup: Empty your cup of any remaining liquids and give them a quick rinse to remove any residue.
Separate components: Remove lids, sleeves, and any other accessories from the cups and place them loosely in your recycling bin.
Loose placement: Place the cups loosely in the recycling bin, without stacking or nesting them together.
Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw
On March 1, 2024, the City of Toronto’s Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw took effect. The bylaw includes:
- An “ask-first/by-request” approach for items such as straws, napkins, stir sticks, utensils, condiments, shopping bags (except those for bakery or prescription items)
- Compatibility of paper bags with the City’s diversion programs (i.e., no metal grommets or plastic handles)
- Acceptance of reusable shopping bags and reusable beverage cups provided by customers at retail business establishments
Be part of the solution. Try one of these sustainable swaps to help reduce your everyday waste:
|
Disposable Item |
Sustainable Solution |
|
Coffee cup Disposable cutlery Plastic or foil wrap Coffee pod Plastic produce bag Dryer sheet Bottled water Disposable bag |
Reusable travel mug Say ‘no’ if you don’t need them Reusable container Brewed coffee or reusable coffee pod Mesh or reusable bag Dryer ball Reusable water bottle Tote or reusable bag |
CLIMATE CORNER
What’s Consumption Got to Do with It?
By Seniors for Climate Action Now!
“We need to grow the economy.” How many times have you heard that refrain? Or the very excited, “the economy is booming.”
It seems to be universally accepted that the Canadian economy must continue to expand. This notion exists in every country, from the developed North to the developing South. Growth means an increase in consumption. For decades we have been bombarded with the encouragement to buy more stuff. That stuff is mostly based on fossil fuels – everything from plastic toys to armaments.
Circular Economy
The City of Toronto recently did a consultation on zero waste and the circular economy. Their goal is to “reduce waste and maximize resources”. They want to move away from what they call a “linear” economy – make it, use it and chuck it – to a more “circular” system. It would focus on product longevity, renewability, reuse and repair. The City argues that “transitioning to a circular economy will play a key role in building a resilient, inclusive, green, and prosperous future for Toronto residents and businesses.”
Fully transitioning to a circular economy may be a hard sell; but what we have been trying to do to reduce waste in particular is not working.
Although we dutifully rinse our cans and bottles, in 2019, it was reported that “Toronto manages approximately 180,000 tonnes of recyclables through its blue bin program. Of that, about 30% (representing 54,000 tonnes) goes to landfill due to contamination.”
We carry our reusable bags to the grocer but put produce in plastic bags. We take our used clothing to the local thrift shop and then buy more cheap clothing that will wear out quickly.
Unfortunately, personal changes in habits can only go so far. Manufacturers have to buy into a circular economy. However, we live in a global economy, which means that Canadian businesses are constantly in competition with countries that can manufacture quicker and cheaper.
Degrowth
Degrowth is an academic and social movement critical of the concept of using growth in gross domestic product as a measure of human and economic development. Simply put, we should not be just what we produce. One degrowth website outlines the essentials to make it happen, including an economy and a society that “sustains the natural basis of life”; and a reduction of production and consumption. They promote the creation of open, connected and localized economies.
As we get closer to the federal election, listen to the language that politicians use when it comes to the economy. Remember the slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid”? It still is the main issue on people’s minds. We need to turn that around to: “Change the economy; save the planet”. That’s smart, not at all stupid.
SCAN! Toronto is a regional group of Seniors for Climate Action Now!
Earth Day Summit 2024 Recording
Learn more about waste management in condos, single-use bylaws in Toronto, benefits of heat pumps, lithium-ion battery safety, and more! Watch the recording here.
Earth Day Summit 2023 Recording
MPP Glover and his guests discuss saving the Greenbelt, EV charging stations in condos, and building innovations. Watch the recording here.
