Plastic pollution isn’t a partisan issue; it’s a planetary one.

Oh - how we wish the problems with single-use plastic were just a political stunt, rather than grounded in, you know… actual science. Wouldn’t that be lovely? If plastic pollution were just a hoax, refillery and zero-waste store owners could toss aside their stubborn ethics and rake in millions by investing in flashy, disposable packaging and convenient throwaway culture. They could sell bottled air. Or individually wrapped toothpicks! Imagine the profits.

Unfortunately for these business owner's bank accounts (and the planet), the science is stubborn. Microplastics are not a fringe theory - they are a documented, measurable crisis. Tiny plastic particles have been found in Arctic ice cores, deep-sea trenches, the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. They're in table salt, rainwater, and even in human bloodstreams and placentas. This isn’t alarmist - it’s the result of decades of mass-producing plastic products and packaging designed to be used once and discarded, only to linger for centuries.

The problem isn’t abstract. It’s inescapable. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade; it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, making its way into ecosystems, food chains, and bodies, both animal and human.

Individual choices do matter. Carrying a reusable bag, refusing a plastic straw, shopping at a refillery - all of it counts. Every conscious decision helps shift the culture and sends a message. Thanks to our amazing customers, our store alone has saved over 15,000 plastic bottles from ending up in our local landfill - and that's just the beginning. From bamboo toothbrushes to shampoo bars, reusable food wraps, and plastic-free razors, every sustainable swap adds up.

But let's keep it real - lasting change also requires bold action from governments and corporations. Single-use plastics are being pumped out by a small number of corporations that continue to prioritize profit over planet, flooding the market with disposable products and packaging and passing the clean-up costs on to us.

Politicians and the industries that lobby them need to stop pretending this isn’t real. The science is clear. The data is in. We can’t afford to keep acting like it’s a debate when it’s a crisis. We need policy that reflects reality.

Speak Up on Plastic Pollution

Want to make a difference? Start local. Support businesses that offer plastic-free alternatives. Ask questions about packaging.  Connect with your local government and elected officials, including your city council and provincial MLA. Share the science. Small actions matter - but pushing for bigger change matters too!

 You might also want to reach out to organizations like Oceana Canada and Surfrider Foundation Canada who are campaigning for stricter regulations and policies.

Note about the Author

I'm Denise Whittaker (Howie), a writer who also works alongside Angela, the owner of Replenish Refillery & Zero Waste Store, creating content for our zero-waste community. Usually our content is focused on positivity and solutions but as the conversation about plastic pollution continues to be distorted, especially by those in positions of power, I just had to speak up.

I’ve watched my friend Angela pour her heart into this business, working 60+ hours a week researching products, finding sustainable solutions, and investing every penny to build a store that is helping our community and the planet. I know she’s not alone. Many refillery owners - most of whom are women - are facing the same struggle. They work tirelessly, often against overwhelming odds, to create businesses that put the planet first, while also providing a much-needed service to people who want to make a difference. It’s heartbreaking to see these efforts undermined by politicians as well as the corporations who continue to profit from single-use plastics.

However - in a way I am grateful for recent comments from certain politicians - a little flash of anger may be exactly what’s needed to reignite the fire and shine a brighter light on the truth.

(Photo Credit Stijn Dijkstra.)