Sustainability


CA Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Reduce Plastic Straw Waste

Majority Leader Ian Calderon introduced last week Assembly Bill 1884, which would require servers at sit-down restaurants to ask customers if they want a straw before providing one. The bill would not apply to fast-food restaurants.

Program Launched to Spur EV Use in California

EV adoption continues to grow in California, but lack of charging locations remains one of the biggest barriers. PG&E said its EV Charge Network will support the adoption of EVs by increasing access to charging in locations where it has traditionally been limited and where cars often sit for longer periods of time, like workplaces and apartment buildings.

Canadian Coast Guard Seeks Proposals for Bulk Oil Removal from Wrecked Freighter

Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays – Central – Notre Dame, announced Wednesday that in the coming months the Canadian Coast Guard will be seeking proposals from qualified marine salvage companies for bulk oil removal from the wreck of the Manolis L.

Ohio EPA Offers Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Grants

A new grant from Ohio EPA will reimburse owners of large diesel or gasoline vehicles for a portion of the cost of the conversion or replacement of engines to use compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or liquid petroleum gas such as propane or butane, including bi-fueled or dual-fueled vehicles that can run on both an alternative fuel and on gasoline or diesel fuel.

Colombia Establishes New Marine and Coastal Area for Conservation

PHOTO: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Colombia Establishes New Marine and Coastal Area for Conservation

The Government of Colombia has recently established a new marine and coastal area for conservation and sustainable use in partnership with local communities in Tumaco, Colombia.

Not only are the tractors expected to have a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge, but they also offer enhanced on-road safety and significantly reduced long-term cost of ownership, according to UPS, which said the tractors

UPS Order Boosts Tesla Truck Prospects

The preorder of Tesla vehicles advances UPS's commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions from global ground operations 12 percent by 2025, the company said, adding that, by 2020, it plans that one in four new vehicles purchased annually will be an alternative fuel or advanced technology vehicle.

Plastics Makers and Recycling Stakeholders Partner for Omaha Plastics Recycling Campaign

Plastics Makers and Recycling Stakeholders Partner for Omaha Plastics Recycling Campaign

The campaign is part of the Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP), a public-private partnership that promotes recycling of plastic wraps and bags.

This photo shows Thunder Basin National Grassland in Douglas, Wyo. (U.S. Forest Service/Cristi Painter photo)

Grasslands Study Launched at Two Sites

The results of the three-year study will help USFS learn more about how to use fire on the national grasslands.



Spain Joins UN Clean Seas Campaign

The announcement came Oct. 18 at the Volvo Ocean Race Ocean Summit in Alicante.

West Virginia DEP Awards Electronics Recycling Grants

The program determines whether manufacturers have adopted or implemented free take-back/recycling programs for their products and awards recycling grants for county or city programs that divert covered electronic devices from their waste stream.

Eliminating the need for replacement is the most sustainable practice we can have as manufacturers. By design, durability is one of the most important factors in reducing environmental impact. (Nydree Flooring photo)

The Future of Sustainability

In the next five years, we'll see sustainability in commercial projects moving from a luxury to a requirement. Examining your product and its performance now will put you ahead of the curve.

IKEA U.S. Launching National Mattress Recycling Program

An estimated 18 million mattresses with box springs are disposed in the United States annually, which causes about 50,000 mattresses to be disposed in landfills daily across the country. And some mattresses are illegally dumped, adding to landfill waste.

Feasibility Report Promising for Australian Seawater Pumped Hydro Project

"Pumped hydro has great potential to solve one of the most pressing energy issues we face – integrating intermittent renewable supply into the grid in a way that delivers reliable, affordable power," EnergyAustralia Managing Director Catherine Tanna said.

OSH Pros' Feedback Sought on Corporate Sustainability Standard

"The GRI 403 standard provides a lever for change in corporate reporting practices on OHS globally," said Kathy A. Seabrook, chair of the CSHS Board of Directors. "Safety and health professionals need to step up, participate, and influence the final standard through this public consultation period. It's a significant development in our profession."

Mutual Housing California Receives Grant for Green Building

NeighborWorks America recently announced a $403,000 grant to Mutual Housing California for green building, renovations, programs and operations.

Europe

Waste as an Energy Source: the Path to a Low-Carbon Economy

Climate change, renewable energy, low-carbon economy: For some, these are catchwords and arguments for a global ecological rethink. For others, they stand for a business segment that couples environmentally friendly technologies with a clear vision to ensure we can leave a world worth living in for future generations.

Ohio Waste Services Firm Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The company provides waste management and environmental services to its clients, focusing on recycling and sustainability.

Plastipak Wins Packaging Innovation Award

The company uses Direct Object Printing, a patented technology for packaging decoration. It uses specially developed inks that are fully compatible with closed-loop recycling and cured using low-energy LED lights, with images directly ink-jet printed on to plastic bottles and containers.

Greening an Industry We Had Never Heard Of

Many in the U.S. logistics industry are "going green" for one very good reason: Becoming more sustainable helps them operate in a leaner, more efficient manner and is proving to be a major cost savings.