Practical Steps to Zero Waste

Here is a notice about a webinar on Tuesday, July 15.

"Practical Steps to Zero Waste"

Tuesday - July 15, 2008
12:00 pm Eastern/9:00 am Pacific
Approximate duration: 90 minutes

A Presentation of the CURC Webinar Series

While many colleges and universities across the nation work to build and expand recycling programs, a growing number of schools are looking to the next level at ways to reduce and perhaps one day eliminate all their trash. Zero waste has become a common buzz word in recycling circles, but what does it mean? More importantly, how does it translate to the realities of a large institution managing its waste stream in the real world. This webinar from the College and University Recycling Council (CURC) will answer some of these basic questions about the zero waste concept as well as provide examples of schools that are working to implement policies and practices that move them closer to that ultimate goal.

For more information and to register, visit: http://nrc-recycle.org/zerowaste.aspx

How much will it cost you? It depends... A note from Eileen Norby

This webinar is free for AROW/NRC members. Current UW campus members are UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Extension and UW System Administration. The cost of the webinar to non-members is $35. For information about joining the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW), which includes membership in the National Recycling Coalition, please go see the attached brochure, or visit AROW's website at:
http://www.arow-online.org/index.html

The cost for an AROW government membership is $95. If you have any questions about AROW or NRC, feel free to give me a call.
-Eileen Norby, 608-262-8252

Broken CFL's and use of nanomaterial sorbents

Wondering how to effectively capture mercury vapor for broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's)? If you said yes, you are in the same group as Natalie Johnson at the Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) laboratory of Robert Hurt, Ph.D. (director of the Institute for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation at Brown University). Natalie is the lead author on a new study reporting the lab’s latest findings, titled “Mercury Vapor Release from Broken Compact Fluorescent Lamps and In Situ Capture by New Nanomaterial Sorbents” (in press, Environmental Science and Technology).

You can read a write-up of their study in the July 2008 edition of the NIEHS Environmental Factor. Among their findings: a few of the common sorbents, such as powdered sulfur or zinc, require greater than 10 kilograms to treat vapor release for a single CFL, while small quantities of other sorbents (for instance, nano-silver and sulfur-impregnated activated carbon forms) require less than 1 gram of sorbent to capture the vapor.

Tips for Safer, Cleaner Fluid Transfer Areas

By Karen Hamel · Occupational Health & Safety E-News July 2008

Small leaks are a problem, too. Being prepared will keep spills to a minumum.
Fluids are essential to most manufacturing processes. They arrive in containers, drums, totes, bulk shipments, and pipelines. When all is going well, they seem to be the lifeblood of the facility. When they leak or spill, however, the mess they create can range anywhere from being a nuisance to being a health and environmental liability. (More...)

EPA Provides Information for Importing/Exporting

Importing or Exporting? New EPA Web Portal Provides Environmental Requirements

Contact (news media only): Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov

EPA has developed a one-stop Web portal to help importers and exporters of goods meet requirements to protect human health and the environment. The portal provides information about:

· vehicles and engines
· fuel and fuel additives
· ozone depleting substances
· chemical substances regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act
· pesticides, including pesticide residues on foods
· hazardous wastes
· plumbing products
· scrap metal.

The portal is being released in conjunction with the federal government’s update to the November 2007 Action Plan for Import Safety. The update summarizes achievements in import safety over the past several months and key steps planned to enhance the safety of imported goods.

EPA’s new Web portal is available at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/international/importexport.html

Environmental Benefits of 2007 EPEAT Purchasing

The EPEAT System

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) program was launched in 2006 to help purchasers identify environmentally preferable electronic products – starting with a product standard and registry addressing personal computers and monitors.

The EPEAT environmental performance criteria and registry system were developed through a multi-year, multi-stakeholder process supported by US EPA that included participants from the public and private purchasing sectors, manufacturers, environmental advocates, recyclers, technology researchers and other interested parties. (More...)

Tree trimming and tree felling

OSHA recently published a directive that provides guidance for tree removal operations, clarifying which standards cover operations that have characteristics of tree trimming, or traditional tree felling operations, or both.

The directive also clarifies that tree trimming, as they define it, does not come within the scope of the Logging operations standard because such operations do not involve cutting down trees. Employers engaged solely in tree trimming operations at a worksite need only comply with other applicable General Industry standards and Section 5(a)(1).

The full text of directive CPL 02-01-044 is available at:
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02-01-044.pdf

Recall: fax machine

Hewlett-Packard Co. Recalls Fax Machines Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: HP Fax 1010 and 1010xi Machines

Units: About 367,000 units (an additional 84,000 units sold outside of the U.S.)

Importer: Hewlett-Packard Co., of Palo Alto, Calif.

Hazard: An internal electrical component failure can cause overheating of the product posing a risk of burn or fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Hewlett-Packard has received three reports of overheating including two in the U.S. resulting in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the HP Fax 1010 and HP Fax 1010xi models manufactured from November 2002 through September 2004. The HP logo and the model name and number are printed on the front of the fax machine.

Sold at: Electronic, computer and camera stores nationwide, as well as Web retailers from November 2002 through December 2004 for between $130 and $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately disconnect the recalled fax machine from the electrical power source and contact HP to receive a rebate.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact HP toll-free at (888) 654-9296 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit HP’s Web site at www.hp.com/go/fax1010recall

Full CPSC bulletin available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08313.html