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Packaging Petition
Companies that sell products have a choice about the type and amount of packaging they use on their products.
Many states and countries are creating rules that make these companies responsible for their products and packaging, even after they leave the store. This gives companies a reason to use less packaging and to ensure that it's recyclable. In Ontario, we've made a start, but companies need to do more.
Add signatureDear The Packaging Association of Canada (PAC),
As the organization that calls itself "the voice of the Canadian packaging industry since 1950," your members are mostly responsible for the products and packaging that end up in municipal waste systems.
We urge your member companies to take responsibility for the packaging waste they create. That's why I am requesting your member companies to:
a. stop using non-recyclable materials to make packaging.
b. pay back municipalities for the full costs of dealing with packaging once it ends up in the waste or recycling stream.Sincerely,
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Natalie Heldsinger endorsed 2014-05-15 10:51:09 -0400This challenge really got me thinking about all the grocery items I buy quite regularly that come in unnecessary packaging. I have started making a more conscious effort of buying products that do not come in packaging. For example, I am a huge mushroom lover and often find myself choosing the packaged, pre-cut mushrooms at the store. I have started buying unpackaged mushrooms -which turns out are just as easy to prepare and even more delicious!
I also signed the petition!Challenge 8 - Send Packaging Packing
Send Your Packaging PackingToo much packaging, wrapping, padding and stuffing comes with most products today. Most of it isn't necessary and is really just a way for companies to advertise. The worst part is that a lot of packaging isn't recyclable in your Blue Box!
Take a look at the things you buy - is there an alternative with less packaging or recyclable packaging?
For example, you can buy food in bulk stores to avoid food packaging.
Challenge:
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Avoid products with excessive packaging, or non-recyclable packaging, or Change what you buy to avoid packaging and tell us about it
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Snap a photo and share your story
Take the extra step:
Sign our petition to ask companies to stop using non-recyclable materials and to stop offloading the cost of disposal to cities. Click here to sign the petition.Read TEA's report on how companies can take responsibility for their product and packagin waste, including great examples of Ontario companies that are already doing it!
Endorse
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Natalie Heldsinger endorsed 2014-07-14 18:51:15 -0400
I always use a reusable bag when I am out shopping. I also never leave home in the morning without my tea – which is in a reusable coffee mug – and I use my reusable water bottle throughout my work day.Challenge 5 - Choose to Re-use
Choose to Re-Use!
It's the small things that add up. One coffee cup or one bottle of water doesn't seem like much. Now, think about how full a garbage can would be with 250 single use coffee cups, one for every work day in the year?
Now imagine if just 10% of Torontonians (250,000 people) used throw-away cups and water bottles: it would be a nightmare of unnecessary waste!
But if you choose reusables, like a refillable water bottle, or a travel mug, you can help eliminate this nightmare. You save money and you help the environment (bottled water costs so much more than tap water, and Toronto's tap water is some of the cleanest in the world).
Challenge:
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Get a refillable water bottle and reusable travel mug and commit to carrying them with you. Or, if you're having a coffee or tea at a cafe, ask them to put it in a reusable mug instead of a disposable cup.
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Snap a photo of yourself using your refillable water bottle or mug and share it with us below.
Take the extra step:
Endorse
If you already carry a mug and water bottle, choose a reusable to replace another disposable product in your life - for example using lunch containers instead of disposable bags, or carrying reusable cutlery to use when you get take-out food. Tell us about it and share a photo.
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Natalie Heldsinger endorsed 2014-05-14 16:02:12 -0400Using tool # 1 I calculated that my household produces approximately 2.0 cubic meters of waste per year.
After paying close attention to the items thrown out in my weekly garbage bag, I have determine that packaging is the number one issue. If I can cut back on the amount of packaging being purchased then I can definitely decrease the amount of garbage produced in my household.
Challenge 2 - Measure Your Waste
Knowing how much waste you produce will help you identify how it can be reduced!
- Use Tool #1 OR Tool #2 below to calculate the approximate garbage your household creates in a year.
- Enter your calculated household waste per year in the comment box below to complete the challenge.
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Natalie Heldsinger answered 2014-05-14 15:52:02 -0400Q: 4 - What do you hope to get from the Waste Free Challenge?
A: By participating in this challenge I hope to learn more about waste management and techniques to produce less waste. I also hope to gain knowledge about waste reduction which I can share with others!
Challenge 1 - Waste Free Survey
The Waste Free Challenge is 10 simple steps that anyone in Toronto can take.
Take the survey
Tell us about you, and why you are taking the Challenge!
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