It is hard to believe the Olympics are over and we are thinking how we want to keep the spirit of the Olympics alive.We have decided that we will be awarding some medals of our own to acknowledge those local retailers that are eliminating the sale of cosmetic pesticides and are putting our health and the environment first.
Although Richmond has passed a cosmetic pesticide bylaw that restricts the use of pesticides on lawns, gardens and parks, there currently exists a loophole that still allows local retailers to sell these harmful pesticides.
We have called upon the provincial government to ban the sale of pesticides in B.C. so that retailers, that we feel are unethically selling pesticides when a bylaw is in effect, will be forced to remove them from their shelves.
Many healthier alternatives to synthetic pesticides exist, and the following retailers have chosen to carry them and have removed the more harmful ones from their shelves.
AND THE GOLD MEDALS GO TO...
HOME DEPOT (eliminated the sale of cosmetic pesticides in 2008)
RONA (eliminated the sale of cosmetic pesticides in 2009)
GARDEN WORKS
SILVER MEDALS are awarded to those companies and organizations that have taken steps to eliminate pesticides and are striving for a healthier tomorrow.
THE CITY OF RICHMOND (has made great strides with a cosmetic pesticide bylaw but earns a silver because they continue to use pesticides on the pitch & putt and on the lawn bowling green)
PRICKLY PEAR GARDEN CENTRE (are currently transitioning to more natural pesticides)
The following companies have FAILED TO RECEIVE A MEDAL as they continue to carry pesticides on their shelves and have NOT set a timeline for elimination. Please remind these retailers that you would like to see them eliminate cosmetic pesticides from their shelves!
Art Knapp's
Canadian Tire
Home Hardware, Lansdowne Mall
Please support those companies that have taken harmful lawn and garden pesticides off their shelves. Please let us know of local retailers that we can add to our recommended list. Thanks!
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