10-Year-Old Takes on Plastic Stickers on Produce

Meet Maya Thiru, a 10-year-old environmental enthusiast from Markham, Ontario, on a mission to create a better world by raising awareness about plastic Pollution. Maya has partnered with Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) to launch a campaign addressing the environmental impact of PLU (plastic price look-up) stickers on fruits and vegetables.

Source: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell/Youtube

The campaign has two primary goals: to raise awareness about these stickers’ harmful impact and convince the Canadian government to include them in the federal single-use plastic ban. Maya encourages kids to collect produce stickers and share them with their local MPs by May 7.

The stickers on fruits and vegetables are made of plastic, ink, and adhesive. Although alternatives like paper and compostable materials exist, plastic is currently the most durable option. The problem with these plastic stickers is that they don’t break down in compost, contaminating the soil and waterways when they end up in landfills. Moreover, fruits and vegetables decompose in landfills, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

Jane Proctor, vice president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), acknowledges the industry’s efforts to transition to compostable stickers, emphasizing the need for a gradual change. Proctor also points out that since a significant portion of produce comes from outside Canada, the country must change this global issue over time.

Maya’s passion for the environment will continue after this campaign. She dreams of becoming a conservationist and further contributing to environmental protection efforts as an adult. Although Maya hopes to ban plastic produce stickers, she believes raising awareness is the most significant achievement. Even if the stickers aren’t banned, she hopes people will learn how to dispose of them properly.

Let’s Support Maya and join her in the fight against plastic pollution! Collect and share your produce stickers with your local MP, and spread the word about the environmental impact of these small but harmful items. Remember, change starts with each of us, and together we can create a better, more sustainable world!

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