Each part of creation reveals unique aspects of God the Creator,
who is both in creation and beyond it.All parts of creation, animate and inanimate, are related.
All creation is good.
We sing of the Creator,
who made humans to live and move
and have their being in God.
A Song of Faith United Church of Canada
I must admit that I was surprised to hear that the Ontario government is considering banning single use plastics, or at least some of them. It isn't an initiative I'd associate with the Ford administration, but I'll try to keep an open mind!
It's an excellent idea, and while it's difficult to decide which items to eliminate and a devil to enforce, we need to find ways to reduce the ton of waste every Ontarian produces each year and to keep plastics out of our landfills, our lakes and rivers, and our bodies. In 2017 alone, volunteers with the Alliance for the Great Lakes collected more than 16 tons of plastic at beach cleanups and 10,000 tons of plastic enters those lakes each year, messing up the critters who live in them and the water supply for millions.
I was also encouraged to hear CBC Ontario Morning hosts talking about reducing plastic waste after one mentioned her daughter wanted the family to do so during Lent. I wonder if the daughter heard about the Citizens for Public Justice program called Give it Up for the Earth. Some schools are taking up the challenge by encouraging students to reduce single-use plastics in their everyday lives.
It can be tough to follow through though. The other day I went to Canadian Tire to buy a straw broom with a wooden handle which was on sale. I like a straw broom better for my front walk. Well, the bristles were wrapped in plastic with foam sleeves on the handle for comfort. We're addicted to the stuff, often for no good reason. Ruth tries to use mesh bags at the grocery store instead of plastic, but that ain't easy, either.
Perhaps we should all write Environment Minister Rod Phillips to let him know that this discussion is a step in the right direction. It can be part of our Lenten commitment
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