(Insert date here) 

Dear City Councillor

(Address)
(City and Province)
(Postal Code)

Dear Hon. (MP’s name),  

My name is (insert name here) and I am a constituent in your district at (insert postal code). I am writing this letter because the current collection of compostable waste is being neglected and needs to be updated.

Of late, there have been several advancements in compostable consumer packaging. 100% plant based films are becoming more common which is allowing companies to create Certified Compostable packaging. This type of packaging is different than plastic products that are only labelled as biodegradable. Many biodegradable products are still made with plastic but have additives that make them break down into micro-plastics faster. Meaning, they are still harmful to the environment and are not compostable.

To distinguish and educate the public on these products, similar to the Recycling Symbol introduced in 1970, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has developed a logo which is recognized across North America. This would help consumers know what products are accepted in the city or town’s compost facility, as well as help with sorting at facilities. 

This is great news, however, these compostable materials are not currently allowed to be included in our local compost bin collection. (insert city or town) is behind when it comes to keeping up with these advanced technologies.

On June 20th, 2022, Reuters shared an article stating that the Government of Canada published final regulations to prohibit “harmful” single-use plastics, with a ban on manufacturing and importing most of these items to come into effect in December 2022. This means companies will be forced to find alternatives that are Certified Compostable, and consumers will need to be able to access composting facilities to accommodate this change. If changes are not made at composting facilities across the country, then these efforts will be wasted.

The Government of Canada should be requiring that these changes be made at the composting facilities across Canada in parallel with these new regulations. They should also be supporting companies, cities and towns on a financial and public education level.

As our MP, we rely on you to represent us at a government level. I am strongly encouraging you to take action. Do everything in your power to change the current composting restrictions. All forms of 100% Certified Compostable materials need to be allowed in our compost bins. The time is now!

I was encouraged to send this letter by the brand Province of Canada, who have made the switch to Certified Compostable packaging, with a goal of being plastic free by 2023.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my concerns, and for supporting a plastic free world. There is no better project for our country to invest in. Without our planet, we have nothing. 

Sincerely,  
(Your name)
(City, Province)
(Phone Number)