#wastemanagement

Patrick Dovigi, once a professional hockey player, transformed himself into the founder and CEO of «GFL Environmental Inc.», a major North American waste management and infrastructure corporation valued in the billions. While GFL has marketed itself as a leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility, recent investigations suggest a far more complicated picture behind the brand.

Debt Concerns and Financial Transparency

In recent years, GFL Environmental came under financial scrutiny after a prominent hedge fund released a «short-seller report», criticizing the company’s «highly leveraged debt structure», its «aggressive acquisition strategy», and the «lack of transparency» regarding off-balance sheet liabilities. The market reacted swiftly, with shares taking a noticeable hit — signaling waning investor confidence.

Links to Criminal Activity and Public Safety Concerns

Serious allegations have surfaced linking GFL to individuals with criminal backgrounds. Several «violent incidents» and security concerns have been reported in the vicinity of GFL-managed sites, raising «questions about corporate oversight, site safety, and leadership accountability». These reports have amplified calls for tighter regulations and increased monitoring of the company’s operations.

Reputation Management and Legal Pressure

According to multiple reports, GFL has employed aggressive legal tactics — including «strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)» and coordinated «online takedown campaigns»— in an apparent attempt to «suppress critical coverage and protect its public image». Such actions have triggered concerns among journalists, watchdogs, and transparency advocates.

Environmental Claims vs. Operational Reality

While GFL promotes itself as an eco-conscious company, some environmental activists and analysts have questioned the «true environmental impact» of its operations. Critics point to insufficient emissions data, weak recycling performance metrics, and inadequate public disclosures — casting doubt on the company’s self-proclaimed green credentials.

As I basically just graduated, I got really excited about my job in the geospatial field and with that motivation I arrived in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The project, that I am working in, has a very clear mission. Together with local stakeholders, we will identify a suitable location for a new dumpsite in the port city.

In our German office, we have already mapped out several possible spots using spatial analysis, environmental criteria, and risk assessment. Since the city has a big problem with waste management, this project is very important, especially for the local people. And so far, they seemed very excited to collaborate.

However, when I got to meet the locals, it seemed like they are not interested anymore. First of all, they all showed up at least five minutes too late without apologizing – which, in Germany is considered extremely rude. On top of that, they didn’t give any clear answers. I thought, maybe they don’t understand the importance of the problem, as they are not used to properly manage their trash. People tried to divert the conversation, only gave indirect answers and discussed much longer than expected, so that my perfectly planned time schedule was worthless.

In the kitchen/dining:

Reuse plastic containers instead of getting Tupperware

Reuse glass jars for packaging leftover liquids or for crafts (crafting list in separate post).

If you frequently use travel-sized medication bottles (like Tums), you can get a giant bottle and refill your smaller bottles instead of buying replacement smaller bottles.

Try buying liquids in glass or paper bottles instead of plastics. In the bathroom:

Rewash travel-sized bottles so that they can be reused!

Body scrub jars (and other jars of this size) can be used for storage of other things like band aids, hair ties/clips, etc.

Ditch single-use flossers! And for an extra step, ditch regular flossers and invest in a Waterpik flosser.

While electric toothbrushes might seem like a sustainable alternative due to less plastic waste, brands are constantly making new editions of these and scrapping the toothbrush heads used for the older versions, causing you to have to invest in another base later down the road. Instead, you could get a bamboo toothbrush.

LEAVE THE LOOFAHS! Most regular shower loofahs you find at the store are made from synthetic materials, hold germs, and are generally considered bad for your skin. They also gain bacteria faster once they are washed for the first time. Consider switching to a natural plant loofah, a synthetic loofah that can be washed and doesn't hold bacteria (african net sponges are great for this!), or just use a washcloth.

In the Bedroom: - Melatonin gummy jars can be washed and reused as storage for jewelry, trinkets, pens/pencils, and other small objects that end up laying around.

General Living Spaces: - There are tons of pieces of plastic produced that can be reused as paint trays or other art supplies. I will be creating a post about reusing trash for art soon.

Everyone loves thrifting right? Thrift stores are a great resource for cheap, renewable, and usually quality clothes for everyone. Most thrifters even contribute to these stores by donating the old clothes they either no longer like or fit. Not to say that this is bad, but this system has become dangerous in the past decade.

The thrift store acts as a middleman between you and the person buying your clothes. However, you aren’t giving your clothes to the person, but the store. They now have free rein on what happens to those clothes. Usually non-profit stores will accept all donations, then cap them off for a week or so until they have sold some, then reopen donations, and repeat.

For-profit stores (IE Value Village, etc.), however, have their sights set on getting all possible products (for free!!!!! why is an old sweatshirt you got for free like $17?!?) in their facilities and ready to sell. The thing is, not all donations can be sold.

I’m sure non-profits have to deal with people donating undergarments, clothing tarnished beyond repair, or junk, but for-profit stores include perfectly fine clothing into their waste disposal. If they think a toy, shirt, or pants won’t sell, it goes to the landfill after some time on the floor.

This waste is fuelled partially by corporate greed, but also clothing overconsumption. People buying fast fashion, realizing they didn’t want the clothes, feeling guilty, and donating it to feel better. This clogs up all thrift stores, and therefore landfills, and the cycle keeps going.

To remedy this, I suggest trying to save up for quality clothes. This can start small at first, looking for shirts less than 70% polyester, limiting your spending on clothes each year, etc. When you do need to donate clothes due to them not fitting or simply not liking them anymore (and that’s okay, your style will change!!), do a clothing swap with a friend. You can avoid entirely the middle man of a thrift store by giving the clothes straight to someone else. If you feel brave, depop or vinted could work too.

Support the Food Date Labeling Act (H.R. 3159 and S. 1484)

730 so far! Help us get to 1,000 signers!

Food waste is a huge problem in our country, so I am writing to ask that you support the Food Date Labeling Act (H.R. 3159 and S. 1484).

This bill would clear up confusion about “best-used-by” and other labels by establishing requirements for quality and discard dates in food packaging. Currently, there is no federal regulation for date labels. This means that consumers, confused by different types of labels, end up discarding edible food. 

Food waste results in households wasting money and exacerbates climate change. Food waste is responsible for about 6% of total US GHG emissions. The nonprofit ReFED found that reducing food waste could generate $73 billion in financial benefit, recover the equivalent of 4 billion meals for food insecure individuals, save 4 trillion gallons of water, and avoid 75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the US.
 
Thank you for your support of legislation that would enable consumers to save money while mitigating climate change.

▶ Created on April 5 by Jess Craven · 729 signers in the past 7 days

📱 Text SIGN PCYWXY to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW JESSCRAVEN101 to 50409