Chemical ‘SIN’ List Proposed for Consideration Alongside REACH Regulation
A Swedish org called ChemSec, a coalition of environmental and consumer interest groups, published a list of 267 chemicals (dubbed ‘Substitute it Now’), that it would like to see removed from the marketplace. This list is meant to influence European countries to consider them for long term inclusion as SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances) program. In October, the European Chemicals Agency published a candidate list of 15 chemicals to be covered under REACH.
Carbon Labeling Proposed by EU Environmental Ministers
They asked the European Commission to perform an impact study of including carbon labeling in existing environmental labeling frameworks, to develop common voluntary methodologies for its calculation, and to create a means for evaluating products’ overall environmental performance throughout their life cycles.
Wal-Mart Organizes Against Uzbek Cotton Sourcing
According to this Fortune article, “Last spring, shareholder advocates began a campaign on behalf of Uzbek children who, according to media reports and human rights groups, are forced to pick cotton for low wages and under inhumane conditions. The BBC spotlighted the problem with an eye-opening investigative report that said, among other things, that ‘for two-and-a-half months a year, classrooms are emptied across this Central Asian nation so that the crop can be harvested.’” Levi-Strauss, GAP, Target and a few others said they’d try and exclude sourcing from there. Others named in the article didn’t reply. Wal-Mart went further by rallying retail trade associations to put pressure on the Uzbek government, and is also requiring suppliers to trace their cotton’s origins. (via Inspired Protaganist)
European Union Agrees to 20% Renewable Energy by 2020
Landmark deal, but of course with critics (can’t please everyone). One big issue surrounded the proportion of biofuels, as public concern lingers around the effect on food prices.
GreenPeace Scores 4 U.S. Supermarkets With ‘Acceptable’ Seafood Practices
This includes Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Target, and Ahold. I wonder what the Marine Stewardship Council thinks.
EPA Launches Environmental Fugitives List
According to Environmental Leader, “The alleged violations include smuggling of ozone-depleting substances, illegally disposing of hazardous waste, discharging pollutants into the air and water, laundering money and making criminally false statements.”
Corrugated v. Paperboard Packaging
Which is greener? Dennis takes a look at the history and current trends in these two types.
YUM Brands Releases First CSR Report
The food and restaurant giant (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers) did its first reporting on energy and carbon emissions among other factors.
California and European Union Pass New Plans to Cut GHG Emissions
Considered the strictest in the nation, the California plan is to bring down greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over 12 years in order to reach 1990 levels. One third of the state’s electricity is to come from renewable resources. The European Union plan (see Guardian article) aims 20% reductions also by 2020, but a lot of criticism remains over concessions made.
Dramatic R&D Will Solve Climate Change Problems, Not Lifestyle Adjustments
Robert Atkinson gives a compelling argument why focusing recommendations on personal behavior adjustments “perpetuate the illusion that the world can solve this crisis through personal action, and by doing so, they hinder the development of a real consensus for a national commitment to green R&D.”
Naturally Colored Food
Fantastic article on the trend toward using natural chemicals in food processing and the challenges faced in terms of science, regulation, and business.
Water: A Strategic Resource for Businesses and Sustainability Programs
This comprehensive article by Andrew Collier looks at the current reality and business case for water as a strategic resource to be managed sustainably.
Case Study: Japan as Model for Zero Waste Lifestyle
I’d also claim Germany as good model country. Anyways, the CS Monitor covers how in terms of recycling and mobility, Japan presents a good model. As a side note, population is much more packed per sq. mile in central Europe and Japan than in the U.S. Social evolution theory could by comparative example, almost predict the U.S. could live unsustainably for a long time.
Big New York Retailers to Recycle Plastic Bags
Stores with particular characteristics will be required effective 2009, to recycle carry out bags or face wimpy penalties: 1st offenseslap on wrist (“bad retailer!”); 2nd$100; 3rd$500.
Green IT Will Continue On Despite Economic Downturn
It saves electricity, and according to a source I read (sorry I don’t remember) the Infomation and Communications Technology Sector contributes more to carbon emissions than the airline industry.
Green Electronics Council Aligns with EcoLogo for Certification
The council’s EPEAT program established in 2006, is a system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. The partnership with EcoLogo will expand their product registration and verification capacity.
Sewage Treatment for Clean Water
In the county of Orange where I live in California, we have aquifers recharged from processed and reclaimed wastewater. Time magazine takes a closer look at how it’s done, and if this presents a viable solution for elsewhere.
Tesco Develops Environmental Design Software
For the purpose of procuring and analyzing the environmental impact of building and operations equipment, Tesco made this software so its grocery design managers “can use the tool to consider factors such as carbon footprint, recycled content and pollutants from manufacturing. The user simply enters the weight of the different materials that make up a particular product and the software then produces a report with graphs and recommendations.” (via Environmental Leader).
Radical Toy Testers Check for Lead
Going around store aisles using handheld scanners. Power to the people! 
Deloitte Publishes Sustainable Enterprise Report
Along with some company called Kyoto Publishing (is that branding by perceived affiliation?). Anyways, it includes peer-reviewed white papers and case studies, and is broken into four chapters: Accountability, Facilities Management & Energy, Risk Management & Offsets and the Extended Enterprise. See www.awarenessintoaction.com
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Au Revoir!
