Satellite maps show carbon emissions have dropped dramatically in China and Italy, for example, after those countries went into lockdown. The same scenario is playing out across the globe as countries urge their citizens to stay at home to stop the spread. But while iphone cover 5s the air may temporarily be cleaner, the environmental gains caused by reduced traffic cover iphone hipster congestion associated by Canadians staying cover samsung a8 2018 carbonio at home is being offset by a rise in plastics, say experts. Across Canada, grocery retailers are rejecting reusable cloth bags, forcing customers to cart away their purchases in plastic bags. Companies like Starbucks, Second Cup and Bulk Barn luxo cover iphone cover samsung galaxy j3 orso are no longer allowing customers cover iphone 7 accessorize to bring in their own mugs and containers, even though some studies have shown the coronavirus can survive on plastic for up to three days. As the pandemic drags on, Canada’s goal of banning single use plastic in 2021 could be delayed further into the future. Canada produces four times as much waste as India When Gayatri Mahajan moved from India to Mississauga in 2019, she said she was “horrified to see” the large amounts of garbage Canadians produce. It wasn’t what she expected from a country with such clean streets and alleys, she said. In India, Mahajan said it’s common to repurpose old newspapers into carry bags and turn clothes into cleaning cover samsung galaxy s7 edge 360 gradi rags and cook with clay pots. “Recycling has always been part of Indian culture,” said Mahajan who tries to avoid plastic and only uses reusable products in her home, such cover samsung galaxy j16 as glass containers and steel water bottles. Mississauga resident, Gayatri Mahajan, said she was “horrified” at the amount of plastic Canadians used compared to Indians. (Photo: Amit Mahajan). National waste management statistics show that India’s citizens generate about 450 grams of waste per day. Canadians generate more than four times that amount. According to the Sensonseo Global cover samsung a7 2018 lupo Waste Index 2019 each Canadian produces 1.84 kilograms of waste a day or 673 kgs cover samsung s8 belle of waste a year, of that amount more than 75 per cent of the waste is burned or ends up in landfills. coque samsung Even more concerning, only nine per cent of plastics in Canada are recycled. Canada also ships 12 per cent of its plastic waste outside of North America to be cover iphone 4 bellissime recycled. coque samsung Recently, countries such as China, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines have refused to take garbage from Canada. The battle to ban international exports of waste Kathleen Ruff, the former director of cover samsung a20e marmo the British Columbia Human Rights Commission, said COVID 19 has been a “wake up call.” “We are all in it together, so it’s high time that we change our habits. I believe the current crisis is nudging us to adopt a more sustainable way of back cover samsung galaxy s5 life,” said the 80 year old activist. For Ruff, sustainability includes pressuring Canada to take care of its own garbage. “Waste should be reduced and disposed of in the country where it is generated,” she wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cover samsung j 5 2017 silicone in 2019. The letter caught the eye of the international media, and the attention forced Canada to repatriate the waste it illegally shipped to the Philippines. Katherine Ruff, former director of BC Human Rights Commission, wants Canada to stop exporting its garbage. cover samsung note 10.1 2014 (Photo: Chris Gareau). But Ruff’s environmental battles are far from over. Last year, the Canadian government delayed signing the Basel Ban Amendment which would ban the export of hazardous waste from developed nations to less developed ones. The agreement was supposed to come into effect next month, but has been delayed indefinitely by several countries who have not ratified the ban. Canada is among those countries who have yet to sign the ban. “Unless the Basel Ban Amendment is ratified, developed countries can continue to act irresponsibly. This is cover samsung note 3neo quite contrary to Canada’s public cover samsung tablet tab e image of being a global environmental leader,” said Ruff. She urges western governments to move away from its “me centric approach” and learn lessons of sustainability from cover samsung s2 tablet 8 eastern nations. “The ruling mantra of consumer convenience, pleasure, and money first needs to change to put the health of children and the planet first,” said Ruff. Moving from selling plastic to composting waste Elesh Parujanwala is another foot soldier in the battle against plastic. The son of Indian immigrants, Parujanwala said he believes in the principle of “Earth Seva”, meaning selfless service in Hindi. coque samsung As the chief visionary officer of En Kay Industrial Supplies Inc., Parujanala has changed his business philosophy. When he first started working for his father a decade ago, he said he was disturbed by the amount of foam and plastic he saw in the company’s warehouse. Elesh Parujanwala poses in front of compostable containers sold by his company, En Kay Industrial Supplies. (Photo: Manthan Prajapati).