We have been studying waste management issues in our Geography class. Among the topics discussed was the plastic bag.
We became inspired to attempt to convince the City of Toronto to ban the plastic bag.
We are further inspired today (Earth Day 2008) as the Province of Ontario announces a province-wide ban on the application of cosmetic pesticides. Perhaps if Toronto bans the bag it will serve as the tipping point and not every little community will have to go through the debate.
We the undersigned support this petition.
WHEREAS: Single use , non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic bags are a very visible component of litter throughout the City of Toronto;
WHEREAS: Single use , non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic bags have a negative impact on our wildlife habitat and are not environmentally friendly;
WHEREAS: the City of Toronto incurs a significant cost to clean up the single use , non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic bags each year;
WHEREAS: the City of Toronto made a commitment to reduce 50% of plastic bags between 2002 and 2007 and has so far only reached 40%;
WHEREAS: the Province of Ontario has introduced a voluntary plan to eliminate one billion bags from circulation by 2012;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the City of Toronto provides education to shoppers and school children about the environmental advantages and reduced cost of using reusable and/or biodegradable shopping bags;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The City of Toronto encourages the use of multi-use shopping bags;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: residents are reminded of the positive impact of recycling
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The City of Toronto ban single use, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable plastic bags made from petroleum products.
