UN Green Jobs Report
Shows highly promising growth particularly in the renewable energy sector. There is concern however for worker safety in recycling and waste handling & reclamation.
EDF and Wal-Mart Launch Shopping Bag Reduction Initiative
The Environmental Defense Fund will “develop reduction, reuse and recycling strategies as well as monitor efforts to reduce plastic shopping bag waste by an average of one-third per store from 2008 levels by 2013.”
Green Plastic for Asia
The Brazilian company Braskem, Latin America’s largest petrochemical company, announced a partnership with Toyota for the production and distribution of HDPE and LDPE (high/low density polyethylene) made from cane-based ethanol.
California’s “No Drugs Down the Drain” Campaign
It’s all about getting people not to flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet or drain because of their water contaminating effects.
USDA Pesticide Testing Program Stopped
Whoah, say what? It’s apparently $8 million per year to run, and the EPA has been using its data for measuring the levels of pesticides in fruits, vegetables, and field crops since 1990. The program’s been slowly cut back in the last few years; scientists are pretty upset.
Sweden and Denmark’s Low-Carbon Diet
It’s taken years, but the time invested has well paid off as the Toronto Star reports.
Ports of LA and Long Beach Begin Clean Trucks Program
This $1.6 billion initiative is designed to reduce diesel truck emissions by 80 percent within five years, by reducing the number of older trucks on the road.
U.S. Clean Coal is a Far Off Dream
The Government Accountability Office has reported that carbon capture and storage technologies for coal-fired electricity plants aren’t ready now, may not be for some time, and that the “widespread deployment of CCS is unlikely to happen unless Congress passes binding limits on carbon dioxide emissions.”
Waste Management’s E-Waste Recycling Commitment
One of the nation’s largest refuse companies has adopted a stewardship pledge by the Basel Action Network in addition to establishing some pretty substantive goals.
Sustainable Manufacturing Strategies
Supply Chain Digest offers this great short article on how manufacturers can look at 11 strategies for sustainable operations. Check out the diagram.
Reducing Water Usage in Plastic Recycling Programs
ECO2 is a firm whose solvent helps clean PET bottles easier, thereby reducing water usage in recycling facilities
Green Seal’s Revised Soap and Detergent Standards Stir Ire
ICIS describes the basics of Green Seal’s updated standard and how some industry organizations are upset.
FDA Expands Internationally for Overseeing Drug Manufacturing
Since more drugs are being manufactured in developing countries, the FDA is stepping up its presence abroad too.
U.S. Sustainable Agriculture Standard in Development
Multiple parties recently came together to discuss opportunities and direction for what a standard would look like and cover. This PR release goes further in depth.
Europe’s Advanced Chemical Toxicity Regulation and U.S. Implications
Seriously, just read this by the EDF. It just goes to show how much the U.S. needs to update its Toxic Substances Control Act.
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Au Revoir!
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