It's official! Toronto Mayor John Tory has proclaimed July 30th, 2019 as Single-use Plastic Free Day.
This is the final chance to pledge to go single-use plastic free at lunch for the remainder of July. Take our 'Refuse Single-use Plastics at Lunch' Pledge and you'll be entered in a draw for a $250 prepaid credit card and a 'Go Plastic-Free' swag bag courtesy of Live Green Toronto.
The Plastic Free July challenge is nearly over but we want to encourage you to take what you've learned along this journey and continue breaking the plastic cycle in the months to come. Keep up the great work!
More Great News: We will be throwing a Plastic-Free Picnic to commemorate going plastic-free at lunch for a whole month and to celebrate Single-use Plastic Free Day. RSVP to the picnic here.
In line with our TransformTO objectives, the City of Toronto recently completed its first solar photovoltaic (PV) + energy storage project on Toronto Paramedic Services' EMS station 46 in the Woodbine and Danforth area.
EMS 46 showing off its new bling
The building's roof and south-facing wall have been outfitted with a 10 kilowatt (kW) solar PV system, coupled with two 13.5 kilowatt-hour (kWhr) Tesla Powerwall batteries.
Summer
has officially started - the weather is hot, the lake is cool, the streets are
bustling - and there's plastic litter everywhere.
Fortunately,
Plastic Free July is here and Live Green Toronto has launched a city-wide
campaign to help YOU go single-use plastic-free at lunch! Take our "Refuse
Single-use Plastics at Lunch" pledge for a chance to win a $250 VISA gift
card or a Live Green Toronto Go Plastic-Free swag bag.
Plastic
Free July encourages you to go plastic free all day, every day in the month of
July - but we know this is no easy feat. Refusing single-use plastic at lunch
is a great first step!
This is how we do it
1.
BYOL: Bring your own lunch
2. #BYOC: Bring your own container. Many food court and restaurant vendors will
allow you to bring your own container when you are getting take-out. None of
them promote or advertise this but all you need to do is ask. Some will even
give you a small discount.
3.
BYOM: Bring your own mug. Refuse disposable coffee cups for your morning and
afternoon pick-me-ups!
Your turn
Let's
break the plastic cycle together: - Take the pledge at livegreentoronto.ca - Follow
us on social for tips and tricks for going plastic-free and - Share your journey with us! @LiveGreenTO #BYOC #PlasticFreeJuly2019
Interest in growing food in small spaces is becoming more common as we start to understand the impacts food production and transportation has on our planet. In order to prepare for a global population of nearly 10 billion, it's important to consider more sustainable practices such as eating locally and incorporating more plant-based foods into our diet. One great way of achieving both is to grow your own food.
By growing food you can enjoy fresh and delicious food – right where you live and - save money and have fun at the same time. Growing your own food will help you incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet and align with what scientists call a "planetary health diet" – one that is healthy for you and the planet.
This summer, join us as we use Live Green Toronto's Get Growing Toronto guide as inspiration to explore growing in small spaces, especially on balconies.
PLANTS
Before we jump into the gardening basics, let’s explore your plant options. If you are a beginner, opt for seedlings over seeds, choose organic, and don’t overwhelm yourself with all the possibilities. Start with easy, low maintenance vegetables such as mixed greens and herbs like basil, mint, and chives. Read more about shade tolerant and sun loving plant options in the "Plant Selection" section of our Get Growing guide.
It's one of the most exciting times of the year for green thumbs - planting season! But you don't need to live in the country or have a ton of space to grow your own food garden. Join us over the next two weeks as we explore options that will lead to a yummy, healthy harvest of locally-grown food.
This week, in partnership with Global News, we are pleased to present 5 Ways to Grow Food in the City.
Can't wait to get started? Check out our Get Growing Toronto guide for all the details you need to create your own urban food oasis.
It's time to rethink our relationship with food: when we cut food waste, grow our own food, and eat locally-grown and organic food we benefit our health as well as the environment. Visit livegreentoronto.ca to find out more.
