The EPA finally came back with an answer to the petition – no.

Carbaryl is classified as a “likely carcinogen” and can cause nausea, dizziness, confusion, respiratory paralysis, and even death. The EPA’s own assessment of the situation found that agricultural use of this chemical unsafely contaminates surface water. Because carbaryl is highly used in pet flea collars, many children are exposed to this every year simply by playing with their dogs and cats. The chemical is also damaging to bees, and with pollinating colonies on the decline, that’s a grave concern.

What does this have to do with a business owner like you?

Understanding the Products You Use

No matter what items you are selling or service you are providing, you undoubtedly use materials to help you get the job done. Do you know what are in those products? There are tons of consumers purchasing flea collars every year without realizing that they’re potentially harmful to the environment and the family.

Furthermore, are you being honest about the products you’re using with your customers?

If you can’t be 100% green, you can at least be safe. Make sure that the materials you use in your business don’t contain harmful chemicals if at all possible. Keep in mind, that there are often safe alternatives if you’re willing to do your research!

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The Latest Pesticide Controversy

Panasonic is making recycling their old products a lot easier. According to a press release sent to me today, the company will allow consumers to drop off old Panasonic items free of charge.

The Panasonic program will begin on November 1, 2008, with more than 160 recycling drop-off locations in 10 states, and is slated to expand to all 50 states, with hundreds more sites, over the next three years.  For a list of current states and sites see www.MRMrecycling.com.   Additional details on the program’s expansion will be announced in January 2009.

Panasonic also announced the creation of a new Recycling Office within the company’s Corporate Environmental Department. The new office will have responsibility for this program, and will be headed by Richard Vernam, Recycling Group Manager.

Thumbs up to this company for such a positive program. Hopefully, others will follow suit so more and more consumers can affordably recycle old electronics. You can read more about Panasonic at www.panasonic.com. 

Post from: EveryJoe

Panasonic’s New Recycling Program

The EPA will make personal changes to help this process, and these steps will take until 2011 and then states will have five years to comply with the new standards. This shouldn’t be a problem for most locations, though it is estimated that at least 18 countries in 12 different states will violate these standards. Over 100 cities also wouldn’t make the cut. You can read more here.

Using Green Products, not just Green Processes

When going green with your business, start with your products. A lot of business owners think that going green means replacing light bulbs and cutting back on packaging. While that is a part of it, going green should also be about using safe, clean products.

Lead isn’t the only material that is unsafe. Most people have heard about the dangers of asbestos and certain kinds of plastic, but many times, even “ok” materials could be better. In other words, take a moment to learn about ALL of the materials you’re using. If you’re running a flower shop, can you find natural clay pots instead of the pots you are currently using. If you’re running a bakery, can you find organic products to replace current products?

The point it, you have to look at going green from all sides. This isn’t something you can do in a year or two, even if money is no object. Going green is something you have to work on continuously.

Post from: EveryJoe

EPA Restricts Lead Levels Even Father: Green Materials, not just Green Processes

According to the law, under EPA regulations, it is legal to dump sewage sludge on farmland. This byproduct of waste water treatment, according to some, is full of nutrients that enrich the earth when used as a fertilizer. However, research also indicates that sludge is filled with heavy metals, pathogens, and toxic chemicals. Center for Food Safety Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell says that the dumping of sludge on farmlands has killed farm animals, devastated crop yields, and even inflicted serious illness and health disorders on people who live and work near the dump sites.

Earlier this year, the Center for Food Safety filed a petition to have the dumping practices stopped, but the EPA determined that there was not enough negative evidence against it. Proponents say that dumping is stil done because it is a cheap, fast way to get rid of the sludge.

Kimbrell is confident that the court will rule on their side, since a judge ruled during past lawsuit regarding the sludge (filed by farmer Andy McElmurray) that the EPA’s sludge regulations studies were “fudged,” “fabricated,” and “fraudulent.”

“You rarely have a court decision bolstering your position,” Kimbrell added. “We look forward to a positive ruling on our petition, which calls for a full moratorium on this until they’ve done a full assessment of the food safety, human health, and environmental impacts.”

You can read more here.

Post from: EveryJoe

The EPA is getting Sued…Again

I’ve actually been watching this story for a while now. Phthalates, in case you do not know, are used in plastics. Basically, they make the plastic more soft and flexible…so you can see how they are helpful in toy production. However, phthalates have also been linked to a number of health problems, including allergies, sexual immaturity and other reproductive problems, growth issues, and more. Eek.

Earlier this month, California banned phthalates in children’s toys, and before that, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and Babies R Us all dropped suppliers whose toys contain phthalates. Today, though, the Washington Post reported that, pending a study, phthalates in children’s toys would be prohibited. The new restriction will start in six months.

My issue here is that it shouldn’t just be banned in children’s toys. Phthalates are used in everything from shampoo to perfume. Worst of all, they are used in many sex toys. That, to me, makes NO sense. After all, the biggest danger with phthalates is reproduction problems.

Take a stand. The ban in children’s toys is just a start, but be pro-active and begin purchasing phthalate-free products to replace those items that currently still use this chemical, and consider writing a polite, firm letter to the company, telling them why you are no longer a customer.

Picture via sxc.hu.

Post from: EveryJoe

Toy Industry Phthalates Ban

There’s an interesting article at Binge Gamer today about how the video game industry needs to go green. Personally, I think this need to be a priority. Whenever kids are involved, using toxins is not a good thing!

Leave a comment here or there telling us what you think!

Picture via sxc.hu.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Video Game Industry Needs to Go Green

Its a problem we don’t often talk about, and that in and of itself is a problem. Here are some staggering facts announced in the report:

• About 50% of computers turned in to recycling centers are still in good working condition – they are simply not the best technology available anymore.

• Computers and other electronics are made with more than 1000 different substances, many of which are toxic.

• E-waste is a bigger problem than disposable diapers and plastic packaging.

• Between 1997 and 2007, an estimated 500 million computers became obsolete, either through becoming worn out or because their owners replaced them.

Taking your computer to a recycling center is not a good option. It might be better than throwing it away with your other trash, but the sad fact is that much of the United States’ toxic computer waste is sent to China and other overseas countries with more lenient toxin policies. I know we’re all focused on living in a greener United States, but China is still part of our world. Toxic waste ANYWHERE is not a good idea.

While there are still limitations as to what we can do, here are a few computer ideas for environmentally-friendly upgrades:

~Look for greener computers. A number of computer manufacturers are rethinking their production processes in order to create less waste when the computers are thrown away.

~Wait until you need to upgrade. Yes, having the latest version of everything is important for your business, but if an upgrade isn’t 100% necessary, wait until next year. Only upgrade when there is significant reason to do so.

~Talk to local organizations like churches, schools, women’s shelters, etc. There are many places that you can donate older working computers. That need family down the street would be happy to take your old computer, and they don’t mind that it has an outdated video card or takes a bit longer to get to an Internet page. Wipe your data from the hard drive and give it away!

What are you doing about e-waste in your business? Leave a comment below!

Picture from sxc.hu.

Post from: EveryJoe

E-Waste: The Computer Problem

I was first aware of the campaign when I got a special issue of Smithsonian, the 37 under 36: America’s Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences, which is, to the best I can tell, completely sponsored by Dow and filled with print versions of “The Human Element” campaign.

The fact that the publication arrived in my mailbox just prior to a Los Angeles Superior Court found Dow (and Dole) liable in a pesticide exposure lawsuit brought by banana workers in Nicaragua, a legal battle than spanned more than two decades, was not lost on me. It was a carefully timed counter to yet another headline highlighting Dow’s disgraceful environmental and social record.

Here’s a snippet of The Human Element campaign, which is every bit as moving as it is infuriating:

Post from: EveryJoe

And the Greenwashing Award Goes to…

It was a fantastic event with a diverse pool of industry reps, artists, designers and academics. If you weren’t there or missed the live broadcast, you can catch the highlights over at Inhabitat, including videos, pictures and wrap-ups from the presenters.

If you are interested in industrial design, e-waste, energy or just gadgets in general, I highly recommend checking out all the ideas and innovations that were in the spotlight.

• Greener Gadgets 2008 Wrap Up
• Greener Gadgets Design Competition Winners
• Greener Gadgets Videos

Post from: EveryJoe

Highlights from Greener Gadgets 2008

There is a growing awareness and a rise in activism in how to handle e-waste responsibly and it may be easier than you think. Here are some of the best resources from around the web for recycling electronics with the Earth in mind.

How to e-Cycle Your Gadgets at Earth2Tech: Resources found here include one of the front runners the Basel Action Network as well as some easy picks you may not know. Tech is the specialty at Earth2Tech and this is a valuable resource for responsible e-waste recycling.

Think Before You Recycle at Inhabitat: This article by Jennifer van der Meer of o2-NYC takes an in-depth look at the problem of e-waste worldwide and offers lots of resources and ideas for ways you can be part of the solution.

E-Cycling Gets Even Greener at Earth2Tech: This read takes a look at different ways that electronics companies are taking responsibility at the end of gadget life with incentives to get consumers to recycle. Included in the mix are Target, Dell and more so head over to Earth2Tech to find out how companies are taking back their e-waste.

At myGreenElectronics you can enter your zip code and find electronics recylers in your neck of the woods.

EPA has the scoop on eCycling here and a list of places where you can recycle old computers and other electronics here.

Earth 911 is a one-stop resource for environmental how-to and you can find community-specific information on eCycling here.

Got a tip on e-cycling for our readers? Leave a comment.

Also, check out Tech Recycling at Staples: Is It That Easy?

Post from: EveryJoe

Resources for Recycling Office Electronics – Spring Cleaning Week