What we’ve done so far in 2009
by Michael D’Ovidio
Our grade 5/6 class, along with Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Meli, have been
doing many different things for the Zero Waste Project. Education is hearing
from experts on the issue and then making our own opinions. Here's some of
the stuff we've learned from the experts.
Margaret Chang, from the city of Toronto, came to our class. She really
surprised us with some of the facts she told us. For example, each day,
Toronto's garbage travels 800 km in 75 tractor trailers to Michigan. That's
a lot of km, and a lot of garbage. Guess how zero waste would help reduce
that?
Walter Kraus, from Loblaw, also paid us a visit. Walter told us that over
1.7 billion bags were given away by Loblaw in 2007 but that in 2008, 1.5
billion plastic bags were given away. That's 200 million less and now that 5
cents are being charged per bag, Walter says the initial results have been
very encouraging. We also learned from Walter that there are a lot of
decisions that go into making a package: convenience, advertising appeal,
food safety, shelf life, environment and profit potential all play a part.
We'd just like it if convenience was the LAST thing to be considered. Profit
and the environment go hand and hand. Less packaging means a lower cost to
produce the product and less cost for the consumer to pay, so everyone wins.
Think about it.
Sally Potter an environmental expert (we’re becoming experts as well)
came in to talk to us about plastic bags. Sally says plastic bags are good
because they use a really small amount of natural gas, can be re used and
recycled and help people with their garbage use. It was the first time we
heard someone say plastic bags are good but her points were well thought
out. Remember as always the key is to educate yourself and THEN decide!
We're still planning to hear from more experts along the way, but in the
mean time WE are becoming environmental experts. The rest of our school has
also taken part in our mission. They do this by participating in Waste Free
Wednesdays! Waste Free lunch is one thing but we're going one step further.
Every Wednesday, we're getting rid of the garbage in the school. Yep, we're
forcing people to be environmentally friendly. What would YOU do if there
was nowhere to put your garbage and littering is NOT an option. Mr.
Fernandes says the government should take note. Sometimes, you just gotta
pressure people to care for the environment.
Our class has also been creating posters to encourage others to join the
race to zero waste. Other students have been writing letters to companies
about their packaging (whether it's good or bad). The rest of us have been
doing research about garbage, plastic bags/bottles, packaging etc. This
project started off slow, but like our beep test results (inside joke -
sorry) we have begun to pick up the slack and we're moving forward to what
we think is going to be a very successful project. Hey, if you're reading
this, then one of our goals has been achieved. It's all about raising
environmental awareness.
|
