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Karen Wirsig

Senior Program Manager, Plastics

Karen has worked as a journalist and as a labour and community organizer. She has participated in her downtown Toronto housing co-operative for more than 20 years. An active transportation enthusiast who favours walking, cycling, and public transit, Karen has never owned a car. She is a voracious reader and has spent her adult life trying to unlearn the common belief that humans should strive for domination over each other, over other animals, and over nature itself. She’s passionate about helping to get plastics out of the environment.

Read Karen's Posts

Apr 18, 2024

Statement: Private Member’s Bill Would Re-Open Plastic Pollution Floodgates in Canada

House debate on industry-friendly bill coincides with arrival of international delegates for plastics treaty negotiations…

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Feb 01, 2024

Burning Garbage Will Not Solve the Plastic Pollution Crisis

You may have heard about a miracle cure for plastic waste that creates green energy…

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Jan 26, 2024

Statement: Decision to Keep Single-Use Plastic Bans in Effect During Government Appeal Is in the Best Interest of the Public and the Environment

Statement from Senior Program Manager for Plastics, Karen Wirsig, on the decision to stay the…

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Dec 05, 2023

Next Stop: Canada, for Tense Talks on a Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

There’s still a lot of work to do to get the global treaty we need…

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Nov 28, 2023

We Will Not Back Down: Plastics Are Toxic and Must Be Regulated in Canada

We got some bad news in November of 2023: a federal court judge ruled in…

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Aug 16, 2023

“Compostable” Checkout Bags Are Still Plastic and Should Not Be Exempted from the Federal Single-Use Plastic Bans

Statement from Karen Wirsig on Calgary Co-op’s campaign to exempt its checkout bags from single-use…

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Aug 09, 2023

Pollution prevention plan for grocery stores is a welcome development in the fight against plastic packaging waste

Proposed federal plan for major Canadian grocery chains is essential to eliminate plastic waste and…

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Aug 04, 2023

Why “Compostable” Plastic Is Actually Trash

There’s a disturbing push for so-called “compostable” plastic to replace single-use plastic items banned by…

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Jul 31, 2023

The Story of Plastic in Canada – Part 5: Plastic Waste and Microplastics

You’ve arrived at the final stop in the story of plastic in Canada.  It’s the…

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Jul 20, 2023

The Story of Plastic in Canada – Part 4: The Dangers of Single-use Plastic Packaging

You’ve arrived at stop number four on the journey of plastics in Canada. At our…

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