Taking action on single-use plastic

Single-use plastic is proving to be a big problem for our environment. Things like plastic bags, straws and plastic-lined coffee cups have an impact on climate change as a large amount of resources are put into a products that  are only used for a short period of time and therefore, wasting the energy that was used in production.

To discuss this problem and possible solutions, we talked to two Edmontonians who are taking action.

Michael Kalmanovitch is an environmental activist and the owner of Earth’s General Store, a grocery store which opened in 1991. Michael is doing many things to make it easier for consumers to reduce their plastic consumption including:

• Charging five cents  for plastic produce bags,  and crediting patrons five cents for  using reusable bags
• Creating a plastic-free living section containing bulk products that cost less than their packaged counterparts
• Offering products with minimal and recyclable packaging
• Informing customers on how to lessen their environmental impact

Melissa Gorrie co-founded the grassroots organization Waste Free Edmonton in February 2018. This organization was created to address waste in Edmonton, particularly single-use products. Their current campaigns include working with City Council to create a plastic bag bylaw and encouraging local businesses to go straw-free, or straw-on-request. In the future, Waste Free Edmonton would like to establish a youth ambassador program to help push for plastic-free schools and support efforts to reduce waste generated during Edmonton’s festivals.

Recycling, though important, is relied on too heavily when it comes to plastic waste.

"It’s not really recycling, it’s downcycling," Melissa mentioned. "It’s not like one bottle is going to be turned into more plastic bottles; it can only be recycled into something of a lesser product...and that eventually ends up in the landfill."

The energy needed to recycle that product contributes to our city’s greenhouse gas emissions. To avoid this, the waste needs to be tackled at the source. Consumers and businesses need to put effort in to reducing their use of plastics and single use products.

"A lot of the onus is on the consumer at this point because the system is set up as such to push the single-use plastic on you," warned Melissa.

To reduce your plastic consumption both Michael and Melissa have some tips:

"Don’t try to be perfect in one day. Take something very small and say ‘I’m not going to use any plastic bags this month.’ Plastic is a great material when used appropriately. However, we are taking a durable, long lasting, fantastic material and using it as an product to be disposed in an instant." - Michael

"Obviously there are important uses for plastic, but the single-use plastic has just gotten so out of hand. We have to move away from the throw-away culture and rely more on reusable options. It’s changing little things: having your reusable bags at the door, or having your ‘to-go’ mug with you. It also helps to be prepared. I have a little emergency kit with tupperware containers so if we are going out to eat we can take leftovers home with us." - Melissa

This post was submitted by our summer students, Graham and Stephanie. If you live in Edmonton and have a climate change story to tell, let us know! Your story could be shared here too.