Our Staff / Karen Wirsig
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
Aug 15, 2025
Response to the suspension of negotiations of the global plastics treaty (INC 5.2)
Statement by Karen Wirsig, Senior Program Manager for Plastics at Environmental Defence Canada GENEVA, SWITZERLAND…
Jul 22, 2025
Canada must help get a win for the world: a future free of plastic pollution
Hundreds of community and environmental groups are coming together this Plastic Free July to call…
Jul 04, 2025
When it comes to breaking up with plastic, it’s not you — it’s definitely them
It’s Plastic Free July. That time of year when we’re reminded to live with less…
Jun 17, 2025
The Ontario government has taken the brakes off of waste reduction in the province to…
Jun 02, 2025
Ontario’s Deposit System For Alcoholic Beverages is Under Threat
People who live in Ontario really appreciate a good deposit-return program. Poll after poll confirms…
Mar 06, 2025
Hear Me Out: The US-Sparked Trade War Is a Garbage Issue
The US-sparked trade war with Canada – and pretty much every other country – is…
Feb 13, 2025
Five Things You Should Know About Reusable Grocery Bags
We’ve gotten tons of questions about “reusable” shopping bags since the ban on single-use plastic…
Jan 29, 2025
Stop the Waste and Expand Deposit Return to All Beverage Containers in Ontario
This blog is part of our series outlining what we see as some of the…
Jan 28, 2025
Groups Oppose Brampton Waste Incinerator Expansion and Demand Updates to Ontario Pollution Policy
Ineffective requirements to control toxic pollutants could allow a dangerous spike of cancer-causing chemicals into…