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
Oct 28, 2026
Ontario’s proposed Blue Box changes leave residents holding the bag
Statement from Karen Wirsig, Senior Program Manager, Plastics Toronto | Treaty Lands and Territory of…
Sep 24, 2026
New report shows Ontario wineries could save money and prevent waste by refilling bottles
Modelling estimates savings of nearly $1 million and a 69 per cent reduction in greenhouse…
Sep 17, 2026
Let’s ditch plastic for local in Canada’s trade pivot
The great Canadian trade pivot is underway. People, businesses and governments across Canada are finding…
Jul 23, 2026
Research Shows Grocery Stores can Ditch Wasteful Plastic Produce Bags
Banning the bags could save the Canadian industry $10M a year and prevent harmful plastic…
Jul 20, 2026
Come on Canada, put the brakes on plastics already
This Plastic Free July, we’re talking about the importance of Canada’s single-use plastic bans –…
Jul 06, 2026
Plastic bans work – and we’re sharing the receipts this Plastic Free July
When I tell people I work to end plastic pollution, they tell me their concerns…
Feb 03, 2026
The court sides with people & the environment in the fight against plastic pollution
Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has confirmed that the federal government can act to stop…
Jan 05, 2026
5 things you should know about Ontario’s new Blue Box recycling program
It’s a new year, and Ontario’s new program for households who get curbside recycling pickup…
Oct 28, 2025
It’s time for Ontario to do the right thing and expand deposit return
Public support for alcohol deposit return brings new hope for ending Ontario’s “trashy” approach to…
Aug 19, 2025
There is still hope for a global plastics treaty — and Canada can help lead the way
Even if the latest round of negotiations toward a global plastics treaty ended last week…