http://www.wrppn.org/news/news1.cfm Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network pulls P2 headlines from national and regional media and provides links to the full text of the stories. http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=735 Electronics recyclers have a new guide on how to run safe and environmentally protective recycling operations. EPA, as part of a group of recycling stakeholders, developed the "Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers" to promote better environmental, worker safety, and public health practices for electronics recyclers. "There should be no doubt that choosing to reuse or recycle used electronics is the right choice for our environment," said Susan Parker Bodine, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "These voluntary guidelines will help assure Americans that their used electronics will be recycled safely and responsibly." The R2 guide lists 13 principles to help electronics recyclers ensure their material is handled safely and legally in the U.S. and foreign countries. It calls on recyclers to establish a management system for environmental and worker safety; develop a policy that promotes reuse and material recovery over landfill or incineration; and use practices that reduce exposures or emissions during recycling operations. The principles also call for recyclers to use diligence to assure appropriate management of materials throughout the recycling chain, including materials that are exported to foreign countries. Reusing and recycling used electronics helps the environment by saving energy and conserving natural resources. When improperly managed, however, used electronics can release materials that raise environmental and health concerns. The workgroup that developed the guidelines represent federal and state governments, electronics manufacturers and recyclers, and trade associations. The workgroup will now focus on establishing a certification process, which will allow consumers easily to recognize responsible recyclers in the marketplace. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=731 The Environmental Protection Agency plans to use regulatory and voluntary action to encourage the use of mercury-free alternatives and reduce the use of mercury in products. According to its just-released preliminary assessment: the Chemical Assessment and Management Program, EPA has concluded that though some products pose a "high-priority, special concern," economical mercury-free alternatives are available. EPA's searchable database helps identify consumer and commercial products that contain mercury and their possible non-mercury alternatives. For information on the mercury assessment: http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/hpvis/index.html The database is available at http://www.epa.gov/mercury/database.htm Fri, 14 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=733 (SAN FRANCISCO) -- Trash can or recycling bin? It's your choice. As America Recycles Day approaches, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages people to think about increasing their recycling rate to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. November 15 marks the eleventh anniversary of America Recycles Day, a day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. More than 35 states are holding America Recycles Day events, with state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and large industry partners promoting recycling efforts. America Recycles Day is supported by the National Recycling Coalition and sponsored by the U.S. EPA. "Recycling is a great way all Americans can help fight global warming and protect the environment," said Jeff Scott, the EPA's Waste Division director for the Pacific Southwest region. "On America Recycles Day, we encourage everyone to learn about opportunities to do even more." The EPA's new 2007 Municipal Solid Waste Characterization report shows Americans recycled and composted 85 million tons of the 254 million tons of total municipal solid waste produced in 2007. Each person produced on average 4.6 pounds of trash per day. Recycling increased slightly over 2006, when people recycled and composted around 82 million tons of the 251 million tons of total municipal solid waste produced. For more information on America Recycles Day, visit: http://www.nrc-recycle.org/americarecycles.aspx For more information on RecycleMania, visit: http://www.recyclemaniacs.org For more information on composting, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste//organics/index.html Fri, 14 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=730 On Sunday (November 9th), 60 Minutes ran a powerful piece showing how e-waste from the US is being illegally exported to Guiyu, China and poisoning their community. If you missed it, I think it is really worthwhile and you can view it at this website: www.takebackmytv.com/60minutes The video makes an extremely compelling case for the importance of using a responsible recycler. If you would like to find a list of responsible recyclers, you can find a list at: http://www.e-stewards.org/. You will note that there are only a small number of responsible local recyclers. But these recyclers have committed to no dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, no landfills and incineration; no use of prison labor to process e-waste; and no unauthorized release of private data contained in discarded computers. It is this type of recycling that you can truly feel good about! If you have any questions about e-waste recycling, please do not hesitate to call me. Judy Levin Pollution Prevention Coordinator Center for Environmental Health 2201 Broadway, Suite 302 Oakland, CA 94612-3017 510-655-3900 Ext. 316 judy@ceh.org www.ceh.org Thu, 13 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=728 Much has been written and said about the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R.1424), but many Americans may not realize it also extended and enhanced critical tax credits and financing relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Production Tax Credits (PTC) were part of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 which was attached to H.R. 1424. Wind energy, geothermal, biomass, trash to energy facilities, small hydropower facilities using irrigation water and others were all beneficiaries. The biggest beneficiary may be solar energy which gained an 8-year extension of the 30% tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations, as well as the elimination of the $2,000 tax credit cap for residential solar electric installations. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) expects the creation of more than 440,000 jobs and the generation of at least $325 billion in private investment due to those changes, which should yield more than 28 gigawatts of solar power. Details are available from the White House press release and the SEIA press release. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=729 The EPA has released the 2008 Report on the Environment: Highlights of National Trends, which provides the American people with an important resource for better understanding trends in our nation's health and environment. The report is intended for a general audience and summarizes highlights from the more comprehensive report with technical and scientific information which was released in May. EPA has launched a new web site that allows the user to search the full technical report for specific trends in air, water and land. Visit http://www.epa.gov/roe for both volumes and the report and a searchable version. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=732 "Liquid Assets," a 90-minute documentary produced by the Penn State University Public Broadcasting received EPA expert advice on issues facing the national water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. It will be aired on several public television stations including WYBE-Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. The documentary talks about the infrastructure of water systems (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) and its important role in protecting public health, economic development and growth. Topics include: public health, watershed protection, the technical complexity of water systems infrastructure, innovative solutions being developed to address infrastructure needs, and challenges facing the implementation of those solutions. To know more about the documentary, please go to: http://www.liquidassets.psu.edu/index.html. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=727 The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, has released three new reports of importance to the solar industry on the topics of interconnection and net metering, solar access laws, and utility external disconnect switches. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=726 EPA and the Department of Energy have unveiled the 2009 online Fuel Economy Guide, providing information about alternative fueled vehicles, the range of fuel economy for different classes of vehicles, a list of fuel economy leaders, and tips for improving fuel economy. The guide includes an interactive feature that allows consumers to insert their local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive a personalized fuel cost estimate. To download a complete version of the Fuel Economy Guide go to: http://www.fueleconomy.gov To obtain comprehensive information about EPA's Fuel Economy program, go to http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy To locate the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles, go to http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles See 2009 fuel economy leaders within each class as well as the lowest fuel economy models, at http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm Tue, 28 Oct 2008 0:0:0 CST http://www.wrppn.org/News/NewsItem.cfm?ID=734 November 12, 2008 Sedona AZ. This week at their regular City Council meeting Sedona AZ's City Council unanimously approved a Zero Waste Resolution. Sierra Club Sedona-Verde Valley's chairperson and member of the Sierra Club's national Zero Waste Committee, Marlene Rayner presented the principles and benefits accruing from participating in a Zero Waste program (see www.arizona.sierraclub.org for details). With its passage of the Resolution, Sedona becomes the first City in Arizona to demonstrate its willingness to face the future squarely, it joins over 200 other proactive destinations (cities, counties, and even New Zealand). A progressive environmental declaration such as this, by the City Council proclaims that Sedona, one of the most beautiful places in the world, is concerned with the environment of the future, economic growth today, global warming, and preservation of its natural resources. Sedona has recognized and now acted upon the two measures any city can do immediately to reduce their direct impact on global warming; removal of the sales tax on renewable energy and adoption of Zero Waste Principles. It is currently estimated that during the next 10 to 20 years the world will reach the threshold for global warming -- caused mostly by human produced greenhouse gases (10% from landfills; 38% from provision of products and materials). Therefore, any measures we can implement today to diminish warming helps to delay this crisis. Once the world reaches this limit, the now sequestered methane in the permafrost near both of the poles and deep in the oceans will be released into the world's atmosphere. Zero Waste Principles teach us to perceive waste as a resource, having value that can also save us money. The principles include: Reduce (or Refuse to buy); Redesign (to make products more recyclable); Repair (fix, especially redesigned products); Reuse (durable vs. single use products); Recycle; and Regulate (if needed to make producers responsible for safe disposal of their products). These principles significantly reduce energy use, resource use, and greenhouse gas production. Businesses such as, Toyota, Apple Computer, Epson, Ricoh, Xerox, and Fetzer Vineyards are leading the way in attaining zero waste because of its economic benefits! Zero Waste can fund and improve local economic development with new, green businesses and associated jobs, as well as create new college curriculums. Utilizing Zero Waste principles reduces the amount of waste products formerly sent to landfills or slated for incineration -- both significant contributors to pollution. Sierra Club Sedona-Verde Valley Group and the City of Sedona look forward to fostering a successful Zero Waste program locally and one that encourages other Arizona cities to join in similar efforts. For more information, contact: Sedona-Verde Valley Group, Sierra Club 70 Whitetail Lane, Sedona AZ 86336 Website: http://www.arizona.sierraclub.org Contact Email: marlene.rayner@sierraclub.org Phone: 928-203-0340 Sat, 07 Nov 0207 0:0:0 CST