Tag Archives: Single Use Plastics

Green Goals, Hidden Harms

By Amy Romer, Megaphone Magazine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Vancouver has built its reputation on ambitious environmental goals, aiming to become one of the greenest cities in the world. Yet, the rise of the green economy has brought unforeseen challenges for street vendors who rely on the trade of second-hand goods. 

The Binners Project is a Vancouver-based social and circular-economic initiative that supports marginalized people who collect and return recyclable materials, otherwise known as “binners.” For the past two years, the project has operated a low-barrier street market, currently at 305 Main St. in the heart of the Downtown Eastside. 

Binners Project Director Sean Miles says he’s witnessed the harm of policies such as the city’s twice-daily street sweeps that blaze through East Hastings seven days a week.

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West Coast infrastructure is on the rise to stem the wave of ocean plastics

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s note: FOCI volunteers carried out a ‘Mother’s Day Beach Clean-up of the beach between Hollyhock and Seaford Road, Cortes Island on May 9, 2022.

Coastal community cleanup groups on eastern Vancouver Island have been itching for the opening of B.C.’s newest ocean debris recycling depot. 

The Cumberland site, operated by Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, opened in mid-June to tackle the tonnes of plastic washing ashore in the region, said Stephanie Valdal, CSWM’s waste management services co-ordinator. 

Continue reading West Coast infrastructure is on the rise to stem the wave of ocean plastics

Recycling isn’t the ‘panacea’ that will save oceans from plastic at UN Ocean summit

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada has the opportunity to position itself as a leader in tackling the world’s marine plastics problem at this week’s UN Ocean Conference, experts say. 

However, to effect real change, Canada and its international partners will have to aggressively wean themselves off unnecessary plastics and accelerate the development of a global circular economy to make sure plastic pollution doesn’t end up in oceans. 

Continue reading Recycling isn’t the ‘panacea’ that will save oceans from plastic at UN Ocean summit

Cortes and Quadra ditched single use plastics long ago

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two tiny B.C. island communities are well ahead of the curve when it comes to the federal government’s move to ban single-use plastics.

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Four Vancouver Island municipalities move against single-use plastics

By Francois Macone, Radio Victoria,  CILS 107.9 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A major victory in the fight for the preservation of the environment. The island municipalities of Victoria, Saanich, Tofino and Ucluelet will see their drive to ban the use of single-use plastic bags officially legitimized by the province, through amendments to the Community Charter, Colombia announced on Saturday. British.

Continue reading Four Vancouver Island municipalities move against single-use plastics