Canadians love salt. A recent study revealed that some fast food items sold in Canada were substantially saltier than the same items sold in other countries (Weeks, 2012). And since making the comparison is essential to our identity as Canadians, yes, we’re saltier than Americans. But our love affair for salt doesn’t end with fast … Continue reading
Please join me on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the University of Toronto’s 7th Annual Peace, Conflict & Justice Conference. This year’s theme is The Urban Era: Comparing Challenges in the World’s Cities and I’ll be participating in a panel discussion on Urban Environmentalism: Cities and Green Initiatives in the Global North and South. Registration is FREE and all are … Continue reading
I was recently interviewed by Solid Waste & Recycling Magazine on the subject of burning plastics for energy. The interview was in response to a December 2012 Canadian study suggesting that landfilled plastics could be retrieved and used as fuel to power upwards of 600,000 cars and 500,000 households. However, the process of burning any … Continue reading
As another October comes to a close, many of us will find ourselves viewing the world through rose coloured lenses as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings an explosion of pink everything – from ribbons and bracelets to blenders and frying pans. And while we’ve all heard about the problems with greenwashing (explored in my earlier article … Continue reading
I may be a dedicated zero waste advocate, but just like everyone else I have guilty pleasures and moments of weakness. Currently I’m suffering from a serious case of iGuilt. Although I have a perfectly good mobile phone, I wasn’t strong enough to resist the offer of a brand new free iphone from a service … Continue reading
Yesterday’s Landfill Lunch post about disposable packaging in the take-away food industry reminded me of this clever poster which articulates the backwards thinking of our throw-away society. When you think about all the resources and effort that goes into creating our ‘disposable’ goods it becomes clear that zero waste really is just common sense with a … Continue reading
The United Nations recently declared a Zero Hunger challenge, inviting “all countries to work towards a future where every individual has adequate nutrition and where all food systems are resilient.” Being hungry – truly hungry – is something that I’ve never experienced. The same is likely also true for most people reading this post. Sure there are several instances … Continue reading
As I speed my way down death alley (aka University Ave.) on my bicycle each day I think about how wonderful it would be to not fear for my life each time I leave the house on two wheels. I am green with envy (ha!) hearing about Denmark’s bike superhighway and efforts to encourage cycling when bikers in my … Continue reading
urban bandit 