We’re at a critical point in getting ready for new legislation in Canada that could shape the way we think, how we interact with our environment, even the air we breathe. We all know that single-use synthetic plastics are harmful when left to accumulate in our environment but we can ask our government representatives to take this charge one step further, and open the conversation about turning this into an opportunity to encourage composting.

How can you make a difference?

Speak up! Use our letter below to either duplicate or build off of and make your own, then send to your MP, or the team surrounding the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Every letter adds up, so please, make your voice heard! They can be emailed or mailed. (Letters to your MP don’t require any postage, so mailing your letter is even free!)

If you just want to dip your toe in:

Find your MP by typing in your postal code here.

Also, cc/send your letter to The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Hill Office:
House of Commons *
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-995-1225
Fax: 613-992-7319
Email: Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca

If you’d like to jump in with both feet:

The committee that oversees this legislation is made up of the following MPs, click on their images for addresses here.

And finally, your provincial government will have input into this. Find your provincial representative here.

Your Provincial Minister of Environment will be part of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, working with the Waste Reduction and Recovery Committee. These are the people who do the work behind the scenes for this group: https://www.ccme.ca/en/about/Contacts/waste_management_task_group.html

If you wish to go a step further, and make your letter more personal, you can add:

• Ways that plastic pollution has affected you.
• Areas of environmental stewardship you have been interested in or support.
• An experience locally or abroad relating to the environment.
• Or highlight areas your MPs have worked on that you appreciate. (You can look up your MP’s previous voting record at www.theyworkforyou.com. )
• Make your closing remarks personal.

February XX, 2021

Dr/Mr/Ms Jane Doe [if MP/MPP] or The Honourable Jane Doe, Minister of the Environment [if Minister] 

Address of MP
[For MP addresses see http://canada.gc.ca/directories/direct_e.html]

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms Jane Doe [if they are MP or MPP] or Dear Minister [if they are a Cabinet Minister],

I am writing to you regarding the Government’s recent commitment to implement legislation banning single-use plastics by the end of 2021. Although this step is long overdue, I want to ensure that my voice is heard in the process. The purpose of the plastics ban is to protect the future of our climate, wildlife and environment across Canada, including our oceans. This is the  time for us to ensure the framework will not only ban synthetic plastics, but will move our country into permanently sustainable territory. With 3 million tonnes of plastic waste entering landfills, and more than 50 million tonnes of easily compostable food waste and wet paper placed in landfills annually, it is clear to see that the government has the opportunity to exponentially increase the positive impact this legislation could have on our country. This staggering amount of valuable organic matter contributes mightily to the growth of methane gas emissions. Since food waste comprises roughly 40% of the residential waste stream, redirecting this flow at the source with manageable composting practices is the key to reaching the Government of Canada’s plan to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030. The heart of the plan aims to not only protect wildlife and our waters, but reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs. This will succeed if we unite these two goals, of banning single-use synthetic plastics, and further develop a framework of support for composting and compostable materials.  Doing so will fulfill the government’s initiatives, and build a more robust circular economy at the same time. 

I want to live in a country that is a conscientious steward of the environment, by supporting composting practises and products, while banning harmful single-use petroleum-based plastics. As these bills are written and come up for debate, I hope that you will take the chance, and help my voice be heard, in making our land a better place for us and generations to come.

I look forward to hearing back from you,

Your name