StopPlastics Newsletter October 2015

StopPlastics is pleased to share this premier issue of our newsletter. We've added your name to our mailing list because you've expressed interest in advancing our aim of ridding the planet of plastic. We are very grateful for your support.

If you'd prefer not to receive email communications from us, send an email to us at contact@stopplastics.ca

We'd love to increase our volunteer base so please forward this newsletter to friends who may be interested in working with us.

Welcome to our Newsletter

Greetings fellow citizens concerned about the explosion of plastic here in Toronto, and around the world.

StopPlastics' long term goal is to eliminate the use of polyethylene plastics but our immediate goal is to get Toronto residents to stop using single-use plastic bags. Our ultimate goal is to get everyone to stop using disposable plastic products.

We want to eliminate the use of plastics for the benefit of the environment and all living beings (including humans).

We encourage residents to lobby Toronto Councillors to ban single-use plastic bags.

The Pledge

Why It's Key to the Campaign to Ban the Bag

StopPlastics' immediate goal is to convince Toronto City Council to implement a ban on single use plastic bags. There are 44 councillors on Toronto City Council plus the mayor. We'd need a 2/3 majority of yes votes to carry a motion to get single use plastic bags banned.

Knowing which councillors intend to vote in favour of a ban is important as it allows groups like ours to focus our attention on those councillors that may need more convincing. It can also encourage undecided voters to get on board.

So if your councillor indicates support for a ban, please ask if they will sign the StopPlastics' pledge.

Cities, States and Countries that Have Bans

Getting Toronto Councillors to Impose a Plastic Bag Ban is Not Impossible: Hundreds of Cities, Towns, and Countries Around the World Have Banned Plastic Bags

Here's a partial list. (A more complete list can be viewed at: http://stopplastics.ca/cities-with-bans)

CANADA

Deux-Montagnes, Quebec
Huntington, Quebec
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Leaf Rapids, Manitoba
Nain, Nfld Labrador
Snow Lake, Manitoba
Thompson, Manitoba
Fort McMurray, Alberta
Montreal, Quebec

USA

American Samoa, Statewide
California, Statewide
Hawaii, Statewide
Rhode Island, Statewide
Marblehead, Maine
Newburyport, Maine
Brookline, Mass
Cambridge, Mass
Great Barrington, Mass

USA

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass
Newburyport, Mass
Newton, Mass
Sag Harbor, N.Y
East Hampton, N.Y
Southampton, N.Y
Larchmont, N.Y
Mamaroneck, N.Y
Rye, N.Y
Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y
Chicago, IL
Concord, Mass
Falmounth, Mass
Harwich, Mass
Wellfleet, Mass
York, Maine
Freeport, Maine
Provincetown, Mass
Northampton, Mass
Williamstown, Mass
Nantucket, Mass

Upcoming Events

YIMBY

Come and join us at: YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) "a festival for people and groups involved in grassroots community development to gather, exchange ideas, skills and strategies"

WHEN: October 31, 2015 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

WHERE: the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University,
55 Dundas St.W.

Plastics in the News

Powerful lobbying groups want to make sure you keep using plastic bags

Enlightened governments around the world, realizing the great harm plastic bags inflict on terrestrial and marine life, have endeavored to curtail use of the bags with bans. California notably, has imposed a state-wide plastic bag ban.

Unbelievably, powerful special interest groups are lobbying to have legislation passed making these bans illegal. Florida and Arizona have already passed such bills, and California's landmark legislation to ban plastic bags is now officially on hold.

But take heart. It is possible to fight against powerful corporate interests. Citizens in the state of Georgia dealing with the ruinous effects of plastic waste fought legislation prohibiting cities and towns from restricting plastic bags and other single use items and won. They were victorious in deterring outsider groups from stopping important legislation. But they stress that this is just the beginning... they are asking that we all refuse plastic bags and other one use items.

Charles 'horrified' by toll of plastic dumped in sea: Prince of Wale's personal plea to solve issue for sake of future generations

Disturbed by images of marine life with bellies full of plastic? You're not alone. In a speech given at a conference dealing with plastic in the marine environment, Prince Charles said he was horrified to learn that collectively we allow 8 million tonnes of plastic to enter the oceans every year. He went on to say that he's haunted by images of seabirds found dead because they had mistaken a piece of plastic for a meal.

In response, Prince Charles has added the problem of ocean debris to the Prince's Charities' International Sustainability Unit which he established in 2010 to take on environmental issues.

About StopPlastics

StopPlastics' long term goal is to eliminate the use of polyethylene plastics but our immediate goal is to get Toronto residents to stop using single-use plastic bags. Our ultimate goal is to get everyone to stop using disposable plastic products.