Background
On Tuesday November 18, 2025 Partners in Project Green hosted a webinar in partnership with the University of Toronto Trash Team, a collaborator of the Toronto Inner Harbour Floatables Strategy. In Pursuit of Polystyrene: Preventing Polystyrene Foam Pollution in Lake Ontario is a multi-phase Pollution Prevention Project led by the University of Toronto Trash Team focused on addressing polystyrene foam pollution at its source.
Key findings from the project were presented, exploring the problem and assessing levels of awareness regarding foam insulation and other construction materials leaking into our local environment. A project conducted in collaboration with local construction companies were discussed, testing the effectiveness and feasibility of practical solutions on-site to reduce plastic pollution.
This work was done in collaboration with Partners in Project Green (a program of Toronto Pearson and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Parks and Conservation, and contributes to the Toronto Inner Harbour Floatables Strategy.
Watch the Whole
Webinar
Watch a Specific Presentation
Pollution Prevention Presentation
Chelsea Rochman, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Elizabeth Stanziano, Master’s Graduate, University of Toronto
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Chelsea Rochman, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Panel:
- Elizabeth Stanziano, Master’s Graduate, University of Toronto
- Mary-Margaret McHahon, MPP, Ontario Liberal Party in Beaches—East York
- Dean Arsenault, Environmental Specialist, EllisDon
Speakers
Dr. Chelsea Rochman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto and a co-founder and the Head of Operations for the U of T Trash Team. Rochman has been researching the sources, sinks and ecological implications of plastic debris for more than a decade. She has published over 100 scientific papers on the topic. In addition to research, Chelsea works to translate science beyond academia to inform action.
Elizabeth Stanziano recently graduated with a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto Scarborough, where she specialized in Conservation and Biodiversity. She led the completion of phases two and three of In Pursuit of Polystyrene for her master’s research project. Elizabeth has prior experience as a program analyst at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. In addition to her work on this Pollution Prevention Project, she volunteers as an ambassador with the U of T Trash Team.
Mary-Margaret McMahon was elected MPP for the Ontario Liberal Party in Beaches—East York in the June 2022. Previously, McMahon served on the Toronto City Council from 2010 to 2018, representing Ward 32 Beaches—East York. MPP McMahon has been a champion for the environment and our Great Lakes.
Dean Arsenault is the Environmental Specialist at EllisDon for the Toronto Building Division with over 13 years of experience in Design-Build projects with a focus on project management and environmental compliance. At EllisDon, one of Canada’s leading construction and building services companies, Dean provides expertise in environmental management and sustainable construction practices. He plays a key role in supporting efforts to minimize environmental impacts and promote responsible building practices across Toronto.
For more information on how to take action on floatable litter, contact Darlene.Coyle@trca.ca