PETA Offers To Help Southend-On-Sea Out Of Rubbish Rut With Bin Lorries Bearing Pro-Vegan Ads
For Immediate Release:
20 April 2011
Contact:
Sandra Smiley 0207 357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]
Just in time for Earth Day (22 April), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sent a letter to Tony Cox, executive councillor for Waste and Public Protection of Southend Borough Council, asking for permission to place ads on the sides of the borough’s rubbish trucks reminding people that eating meat isn’t environmentally friendly. The ad features a “meaty” Earth next to the words, “Go Green: Bin Meat. PETA” – a mock-up of the artwork is attached.
PETA’s request comes in the wake of a survey from Keep Britain Tidy which found that wrappers from burgers, kebabs and other fast food make up the majority of the rubbish on Southend’s streets.
“With this ad, litterbugs and environmentalists alike in Southend-on-Sea may be encouraged to adopt a healthy and humane vegan diet that won’t pollute their bodies or the planet”, says PETA Special Projects Coordinator Abi Izzard. “The meat and dairy industries are among the leading causes of climate change, so if you really want to go green, the single most effective action you can take as an individual is to go vegan.”
In addition to doing good for the environment, Southend residents would do animals a favour by tossing meat. Chickens, fish, cows and pigs feel pain and fear – just as we and the animals we share our homes with do – yet they are abused in ways that would be illegal if dogs or cats were the victims. Chickens and turkeys have their throats cut while they’re still conscious, and piglets have their tails and the tips of their teeth cut off without being given any painkillers.
PETA’s letter to Councillor Tony Cox follows.
Councillor Tony Cox
c/o Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Via e-mail
19 April 2011
Dear Councillor Cox,
I am writing to you on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to request permission to place eye-catching ads on the sides of Southend’s bin lorries. The ad, which we’ve designed especially for Southend, features a “meaty” Earth next to the words, “Go Green: Bin Meat. PETA”. According to a recent study by Keep Britain Tidy, you’ve had trouble with litterbugs leaving wrappers from their burgers, kebabs and other fast food on the streets. With this ad, residents would get the message that the best way to keep the environment and their bodies healthy is to quit eating meat. If you agree, the first ad could even be launched this Earth Day.
Many Southend residents join the millions of people around the world who are concerned about the environment and are trying to decrease their carbon footprint. A study at the University of Chicago in the US found that going vegan is 50 per cent more effective in fighting climate change than switching from a standard car to a hybrid vehicle. In fact, the United Nations has determined that raising animals for food is a leading cause of the world’s most pressing environmental problems, including land degradation, water shortages, water pollution and the loss of biodiversity.
In addition to polluting the planet, the meat and dairy industries cause massive amounts of animal suffering. Chickens, fish, cows and pigs feel pain and fear, just as we and the animals we share our homes with do, yet they are abused in ways that would be illegal if dogs or cats were the victims. Chickens and turkeys have their throats cut while they’re still conscious, piglets have their tails and the tips of their teeth cut off without being given any painkillers and mother cows have their calves stolen from them almost immediately after birth so that the milk meant for the calves can be sold.
Overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vegans are far more likely to be in better overall health. The American Dietetic Association – the largest group of nutrition professionals in the US – reviewed hundreds of studies and concluded that compared to people who consume meat, vegetarians have lower rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
By agreeing to our proposal and putting PETA’s attention-grabbing ad on Southend’s rubbish trucks, you could help keep the borough tidy, spare the lives of countless animals, help educate the public about the most effective way to “go green” and make everybody healthier. Please contact me so that we can discuss this proposal. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Abi Izzard
Special Projects Coordinator
PETA