Features


Innovation Leaking Through the Cracks

While water scarcity presents a global crisis, one software-as-a-service company is using technology to reduce water loss through faulty infrastructures.

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Sprint Takes a Rain Check

Sprint's headquarters irrigates its campus via a a rainwater collection system, which has proven to be a boon for both the company's bank account and the environment.

Dow Pilots Plastics-to-Energy

A Dow Plastics pilot program recovered 96 percent of potential energy from waste plastics burned to fuel an incinerator.

Rising Above The Recycling Decline

The United States is lagging behind other countries when it comes down to overall recycling efforts. As the world’s largest trash producing country at 1,609 pounds of trash per person, per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it raises questions why the land of opportunity isn’t taking advantage of its position to help reduce some of the Earth’s greenhouse gas emissions.

GM Recyled Transmission Caps

GM Works to Make Landfills Obsolete

Through a combination of developing new technology and strategic use of materials, GM has transitioned 74 of its 140-odd plants into landfill-free facilities.

Scientist checking corrosion

CBPCs Can Erode Corrosion's Hold on Metal

Chemically bonded phosphate ceramics create a passivation layer that stops corrosion and is protected by a tough ceramic outer layer. These compounds protect metal from corrosion better than other options, such as polymer paints, and are less expensive than using stainless steel.

The Sustainability Case for Online Universities

As traditional brick-and-mortar colleges experience an influx in enrollment, many institutions wonder if they have the capacity to meet future educational demands. Due to substantial increases in applicants, many colleges have had to turn more and more people away.

setting the tunnel lining form

Going With the Flow

In response to community concerns, Kentucky’s Louisville Water Company thought up a gravity-fed riverbank filtration system that connects to a mile-and-a-half-long tunnel leading to a treatment plant.



Biobased Chemicals: Fact or Fiction?

While biobased industrial performance chemicals have been around for awhile, manufacturers have made great strides in the past decade in improving their effectiveness.

Manchester Water Works Takes Advantage of Trenchless Technologies for Water Service Reliability

Manchester Water Works sought to install a water main line that would go under the 900-foot Merrimack River, New Hampshire’s largest river, and cross the Pan Am Railway that runs adjacent to the river, with the least possible impact to the environment.

New Jersey School Upgrades its Wastewater Treatment System – And Quickly

When St. Augustine Prep School in Richland, N.J., decided to expand its facilities, it focused on maintaining the school’s historically strong environmental commitment. What it didn't realize, though, is that the wastewater treatment system it had implemented was unable to handle the capacity of wastewater the school generated.

Athletes Scale Peaks, Swim Seas to Raise Funds for Clean Oceans, Water

Mitigating damage from environmental problems is a daunting task, especially considering the scope of the project. Despite the great size of the problems facing the environment, the sheer size of these issues can leave those in a position to do a little something about it feeling paralyzed. But for those used to taking on the Earth’s biggest challenges – literally oceans and mountains – pursuing relief after such disasters is all in a day’s work.

In the Middle of Hot Texas City, a Glimpse of Green

Despite the dry climate, the Omni hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, has installed a rooftop herb garden on one of its terraces shaded from the hot summer sun.

Mercury

Most Mercury Waste Regulations Fail to Account for Vapor Release

Chemical transport regulations don't always take into consideration the fact that mercury vaporizes at room temperature.

Working in the environment can have its own rewards.

A Little Good News in the Job Sector

Environmental Protection's 2010 Salary Survey results leave the impression that professionals are holding their own in a still-uncertain economy.

manufacturing machinery

The Case for Solvent Recycling (With Video)

Recycling, and to a greater extent tolling, decouples used solvent generators from the high cost and volatility of virgin solvent prices.

Deadlines for rules covering manufacturers that use fabrication and finishing processes are closing in.

Preparing for 2011 Fabrication and Finishing Rules

Manufacturers that use welding in their operations should get ready to meet this year's notification deadlines for Clean Air Act emission regulation.

Oil skimmers can help facilities meet wastewater discharge regulations.

Case Study: Tank Washing Facility Installs Oil Recovery System

Food Express cleans up its wastewater with an oil skimmer attached to a separation tank designed by the company's president.

Typical waste lagoons at the start of surface aeration and microbial enhancement. Note the presence of solids on lagoon surface.

Waste Lagoons: Sloppy Mess or Treatment Opportunity?

Surface aeration and aerobic microbes can alleviate an overloaded waste lagoon.

Dual axis blender with GPS location system goes to work at a Washington remediation site.

Case Study: Puget Sound Park Uses Tech Combo for Cleanup

With combined chemical and biological treatment, formerly contaminated land is added to Bremerton’s Evergreen Park in Washington.