Day: December 3, 2019

Painting/Coating, Regulation

EPA Bans All Retail Distribution of Methylene Chloride to Consumers for Paint and Coating Removal

by  •  • 0 Comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations to prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution of methylene chloride in all paint removers for consumer use will go into effect after November 22, 2019. As of that date, it will be unlawful for any person or retailer to sell or distribute paint removal products containing methylene chloride for consumer use, including e-commerce sales.

“EPA’s action keeps paint and coating removers that contain the chemical methylene chloride out of consumers’ hands,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “It is against the law to sell or distribute methylene chloride for paint and coating removal in the retail marketplace—a step that will provide important public health protections for consumers.”

EPA is encouraging all consumers to stop using methylene chloride products that they may have already purchased for paint and coating removal. EPA is also reminding all retailers that sales of these products to consumers is prohibited by EPA regulations under the authority of section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). To learn more about how to comply with the regulations, including recordkeeping requirements, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/small-entity-compliance-guidance-regulation-methylene

The final regulation on methylene chloride for consumer paint and coating removal use was published on March 27, 2019, and the prohibition related to manufacturing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride for consumer paint and coating removal use is in now effect. A variety of effective, less harmful substitutes are readily available for paint removal.

EPA is continuing to work through the process outlined in TSCA to review the risks associated with other uses of methylene chloride. This process is designed to thoroughly evaluate available science before taking action to manage the risk associated with the other uses of the chemical.

Illinois, Publications, Regulation

Report warns of dangers from staff decline at Illinois EPA

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting.

The state’s lack of investment in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is putting citizens at increased risk of public health issues, according to a report released by a group of experts on Tuesday.

The report, entitled “Protecting the Illinois EPA’s Health, so that It Can Protect Ours,” found that staffing at the agency has been cut in half since 2003 and, as a result, inspections of polluting facilities, monitoring of water quality and enforcement of environmental violations have decreased. The report was published by the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Chicago, with input from former IEPA leaders.

Circular economy, Packaging

4evergreen alliance to promote fiber-based packaging in circular economy launches

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story in Dairy Reporter.

Members of CEPI, the European association representing the forest fiber and paper industry, are joining forces with companies across the value chain to drive the recycling of fiber-based packaging and collaboration in circular design and materials to enable positive change in circular economy.

Food and beverage manufacturing

New cocoa coalition calls for tougher stance from the EU

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story from Confectionery News.

Cocoa companies, NGOs and Fairtrade issue joint statement for human rights and environmental due diligence requirements to be urgently imposed by European Union.

Food waste, Publications, Sustainable communities

Food Waste: A Q&A Guide for New York State Businesses, Municipalities, and Communities

by  •  • 0 Comments

Download the document.

We created Food Waste: A Q& A Guide for New York State Businesses, Municipalities, and Communities as an easy-to -use resource with answers to the most common questions we have been asked in our work with over 75 clients since launching our food waste program in 2016 . We intend this to be a great starting point for anyone considering a strategy
for managing food waste.

Funding

Science funders gamble on grant lotteries

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story in Nature.

A growing number of research agencies are assigning money randomly.

Books, Libraries

New book from ALA: The Sustainable Library’s Cookbook

by  •  • 0 Comments

In 2019, the American Library Association added sustainability to its Core Values of Librarianship to foster community awareness and engagement on climate change, resilience, environmental impact, and a sustainable future. The Sustainable Library’s Cookbook collects a series of engaging activities for academic libraries interested in implementing sustainability practices in three different areas:

  • Applying Sustainability Thinking and Development. Recipes are focused on applying sustainable thinking processes to library functions and services, including open educational resources, seed libraries, and reusable supplies and resources.
  • Teaching, Learning, and Research Services. This section contains lesson plans, learning guides, research activities, and projects that focus on sustainability in disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, from STEM data literacy to campus sustainability projects to Indigenous environmental justice.
  • Community Engagement, Outreach, and Partnerships. Recipes emphasize how community partnerships and outreach can be effective ways to inform and foster sustainability practices in the library and beyond, including environmental movie nights, bike-lending programs, and ideas for sustainable fashion.

Many of these recipes include learning outcomes and goals from ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, disciplinary focuses, and the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This cookbook provides librarians with a series of best and effective practices, case studies, and approaches to support sustainability efforts in the library and collaboratively across campus.

Urban agriculture

Indoor farming looks like it could be the answer to feeding a hot and hungry planet. It’s not that easy.

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story in the Washington Post.

Food and agriculture innovation have sucked up remarkable amounts of investor capital in recent years and could become a $700 billion market by 2030, according to a Union Bank of Switzerland report.

Millions are being invested globally in indoor urban farms because of their promise to produce more food with less impact, with two dozen large-scale projects launching in Dubai, Israel, the Netherlands and other countries.

Circular economy, Plastics, Sustainable design

A Sea Change for Plastic

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story in the New York Times.

Architects and designers are finding new workplace and household uses for the stuff polluting our oceans.

Illinois, Solar

Carbondale City Council approves solar panels

by  •  • 0 Comments

Read the full story in the Daily Egyptian.

The Carbondale City Council approved a $2.4 million solar panel project through the Power Purchase Agreement on Nov. 27, which will power a portion of the city’s municipal buildings. 

The panels will be constructed on three sites, including the SE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Public Safety Center and Civic Center. 

%d bloggers like this: