Over 47,000 Canadians signed up to show their shorelines some love
(Vancouver and Toronto – July 13, 2011) More than 47,000 Canadians registered to show their local waters they care during the 2010 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited. The conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF saw 98,071 kg of litter cleared from 2,235 km of Canada’s shorelines, leaving them clean and healthy for everyone.
Quotes
“The results of last year’s cleanup show that Canadians really love their shorelines and their communities. We’re looking forward to another year of healthier shorelines.” – Jill Dwyer, Program Manager of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
“It’s great to see so many Canadians coming out to help care for our shorelines. Keeping them clean and healthy is critical to the health of our waters.” – Tony Maas, Director of WWF’s Freshwater Program
“We are proud to be a part of the Shoreline Cleanup. “Loblaw supports the shoreline cleanup with the funds from our national charge-for-plastic shopping bag program, which, in 2010, has helped decreased the plastic bag use in our stores nationally by 73 per cent.” – Bob Chant, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited
Facts
• The 2010 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup removed almost 29,000 disposable utensils and dishware, the equivalent of approximately 6,000 place settings – enough for the entire population of Flin Flon, Manitoba.
• Estimated weight of litter removed from shorelines in 2010: 98,071 kg, equal to the weight of 20 zambonis
• The 18th Annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup takes place from September 17 to 25, 2011 at shorelines across the country; to learn more or register, visit www.ShorelineCleanup.ca
• In 2010, Loblaw saw a 73 per cent reduction in plastic shopping bag use within its stores and since 2007, has reduced the number of plastic shopping bags from its stores by 2.5 billion
About the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF, the Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. www.ShorelineCleanup.ca
About the Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a global leader in connecting people to our natural world, and a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, research and direct action. www.vanaqua.org
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada’s largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. www.loblaw.ca
For more information, please contact:
Riannon John, WWF – [email protected], 416-347-1894
Ryley Murray, WWF – [email protected], 416-489-4567 ext. 7337
Roxanne St-Pierre, Communications Advisor, Vancouver Aquarium – [email protected], 604-230-4673