17

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

Jun 30, 2023

The Story of Plastic in Canada – Introduction: Plastic Pollution Goes beyond the Landfill

This Plastic Free July, we’re launching a blog series to dig more deeply into the…

Read More


Jun 28, 2023

Ontario’s Step Towards Deposit Return for All Beverage Containers Is a Welcome Development for the Environment

Statement from Senior Program Manager for Plastics, Karen Wirsig Toronto | Traditional territories of the…

Read More


Jun 12, 2023

Industry’s “Recycle Everywhere” Program Would Cost Twice as Much and Deliver Far Less than Deposit Return

Proposed plan for beverage containers relies on ineffective recycling bin system and will cost $44…

Read More


Jun 05, 2023

World Environment Day: It’s Time to #BeatPlasticPollution to Protect the Environment, Our Health and Worker Safety

Co-written by Jane McArthur, Toxics Program Director at Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment…

Read More



Mar 28, 2023

Wasted opportunity: Ontario is missing the mark on empties while spurring plastic pollution

The beverage industry is poised to introduce a pop bottle “tax” in Ontario to handle…

Read More


Mar 17, 2023

Big Plastic’s arguments against federal plastics regulations crumple in court

Late in the federal court hearings last week, in their lawsuit against plastics regulations, Big…

Read More


Feb 23, 2023

Big Plastic will see us in court next month … and you’re invited, Toronto

Nearly two years after filing an outrageous lawsuit against the federal government, Big Plastic is…

Read More


Dec 20, 2022

Five things you need to know about Canada’s single-use plastic bans

The first phase of Canada’s bans on some single-use plastics starts today. Here’s what you…

Read More


Dec 05, 2022

COP15 EXPECTATIONS FOR CANADA

This blog is co-authored by Aliénor Rougeot, Program Manager, Climate and Energy and Michelle Woodhouse,…

Read More