CHICAGO, Illinois, March 14, 2008 (ENS) – For Earth Day 2008, the U.S. EPA Great Lakes region invites public help to collect at least one million pounds of electronic waste and one million pills. The EPA is encouraging organizations, businesses and communities in the Great Lakes region to protect the environment by sponsoring collections of unwanted medicines and electronic waste around Earth Day, April 22.

“The Great Lakes are an irreplaceable treasure,” said EPA Great Lakes National Program Manager Mary Gade. “They are the largest source of fresh drinking water on Earth and are vital to commerce and recreation in the upper Midwest. Responsible recycling and disposal of unwanted electronics and medicines will prevent contaminants from polluting the Great Lakes basin.”

The EPA has partnered with the nonprofit group Earth 911 to launch an online clearinghouse of collection events that will be held between April 19 and 27. As dates and locations for events are confirmed they will be added to the clearinghouse at www.earth911.org.

“EPA is pleased that Earth 911 volunteered to work with us on this important project and we welcome other organizations that may wish to join us by sponsoring or publicizing collection events,” said Gade.

Used consumer electronics represent less than two percent of the municipal solid waste stream. In 2005, the latest year for which figures are available, discarded TVs, computers, printers, scanners, faxes, mice, keyboards and cell phones totaled about two million tons. About 85 percent of that amount was discarded in landfills.

Lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants are among the substances of concern in electronics. These substances can cause contaminate the environment if the products are not properly managed at end of life.

Lead is used in glass in TV and PC cathode ray tubes as well as solder and interconnects; older CRTs typically contain on average four pounds of lead, while newer CRTs contain closer to two pounds of lead.

Mercury is used in small amount in bulbs to light flat panel computer monitors and notebooks.

Brominated flame retardants are widely used in plastic cases and cables. The EPA says the more problematic ones have been phased out of newer products but remain in older products.

Cadmium was widely used in ni-cad rechargeable batteries for laptops and other portables. Newer batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride and lithium ion batteries, do not contain cadmium.

Unwanted pills can contaminate the aquatic
environment. (Photo courtesy
American Pharmacists Association)

In streams and rivers across the country, scientists are finding detectable concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products such as fragrances. In one recent study, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey found that the concentration of many of these chemicals, such as the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, the antimicrobial agent triclosan used in soaps, and caffeine, increased downstream of wastewater treatment plants.

Few of the detected compounds exceeded water quality standards; however, many do not have water quality standards.

Individuals add pharmaceuticals and personal care products to the environment through excretion and bathing, and disposal of unwanted medications to sewers and trash. Proper disposal of drugs is a straightforward way for individuals to prevent pollution.

Risks of exposure to pharmaceuticals is much greater for aquatic organisms than for humans. For instance, the EPA says, “Dramatic inhibition of sperm activity in certain aquatic organisms can be affected by calcium-channel blockers.”

To keep these substances from contaminating the Great Lakes region, the EPA is asking people to participate in the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge.

“I’m asking people to clear out their desk drawers, medicine cabinets and basements and properly recycle or dispose of their old and unwanted cellphones, computers, TVs, and medicines at a local collection,” said Gade.

Participating organizations should register their events at: www.epa.gov. The website includes a “Plug-In to E-cycling” tool kit to help plan collection events.

For more information or technical assistance on planning an event, call the EPA’s toll-free Earth Day Challenge Hotline at 866-575-8543.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, January 29, 2008 (ENS) – A prime minister, a former prime minister, and a prince are among seven Champions of the Earth selected for recognition as outstanding environmental achievers by the UN Environment Programme. The work of this year’s champions – one from each region of the world – is all related to global warming in some way.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is being honored with a UNEP Special Prize in addition to the Champion of the Earth recognition. “By setting a carbon neutral goal for New Zealand, Prime Minister Clark has put her country at the forefront of today’s environmental challenges,” UNEP said, announcing the awards on Monday.

New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Clark
(Photo courtesy
Govt. of New
Zealand)

Three major policy initiatives launched by Clark attracted UNEP’s favorable attention – the Emissions Trading Scheme; the Energy Strategy; and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.

Clark said the Champion of the Earth Award is an honor. “For New Zealand to become a truly sustainable nation, it requires government, business, and community to each take special responsibilities and pursue a common interest,” she said.

“It is clearly the responsibility of government to give leadership. It reflects our belief that pursuing sustainability is not only the right thing to do, but is also a strategic investment in New Zealand’s overall future, said Clark. “Further sustainability initiatives will be unveiled by the government this year.”

“We also look forward to hosting World Environment Day on June 5, which will focus on opportunities for countries, companies and communities to ‘kick the carbon habit’ and make the transition to a low carbon economy and lifestyle,” she said.

The Champions of the Earth prizes will be presented at a ceremony in Singapore on Earth Day April 22. No monetary reward is attached to the prize; each laureate receives a trophy made of recycled metal designed by the Kenyan sculptor Kioko and representing the fundamental elements for life on Earth – sun, air, land and water.

The 2008 Champions of the Earth:

* Africa: Balgis Osman-Elasha, a senior researcher at Sudan’s Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources;

* Asia and the Pacific: Atiq Rahman, executive director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies

* Europe: Prince Albert II of Monaco

* Latin America and the Caribbean: Liz Thompson, the former energy and environment minister of Barbados

* North America: Timothy Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund, former U.S. Senator from Colorado

* West Asia: Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal, secretary-general of the Yemen People’s General Congress, former prime minister of Yemen

“Today, we face environmental challenges of unprecedented magnitude. More than ever, our planet needs committed leaders and achievers like the 2008 Champions of the Earth who spur real, positive change and fuel innovative solutions to environmental problems,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

“In doing so, these inspirational individuals demonstrate not only that action and different development paths are possible but also the abundant opportunities arising as a result of a transformation towards a green economy,” he said.

Africa:

Balgis Osman-Elasha
(Photo courtesy ENB)

Dr. Balgis Osman-Elasha, a senior scientist from Sudan, is at the forefront of global research on climate change. A leading author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, reports, she has produced groundbreaking work on global warming in Africa, with an emphasis on northern and eastern Africa.

Dr. Osman-Elasha’s emphasis on global warming and adaptation in Sudan is vital given the strong interlinkages between climate change and conflict in the country. Her work as a prominent researcher on climate change makes her a true role model for women in Africa, UNEP said.

The award also recognizes Dr. Osman-Elasha’s efforts to educate Sudanese university students about the issue of climate change, raising awareness among the country’s new generation.

Asia and the Pacific:

Atiq Rahman
(Photo courtesy
ENB)

Dr. Atiq Rahman is an eloquent advocate for sustainable development from Bangladesh – a country highly vulnerable to climate change and flooding. As one of the top specialists in his field, the executive director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies transformed the nongovernmental organization into a leading think-tank in South Asia on sustainable development issues.

Dr. Rahman is a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He played a leading role in the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and in negotiations leading to the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. He participates in the current climate talks leading to a successor agreement after Kyoto expires in 2012.

Dr. Rahman’s extensive publications on the subjects of environment and development in Bangladesh are a reference for his peers, and he has also developed an innovative post-graduate course on sustainable development and North-South dialogue.

Europe:

Prince Albert II
(Photo courtesy
Govt. of Monaco)

One of Prince Albert II’s first acts as sovereign of Monaco was to sign the Kyoto Protocol – an eloquent sign of his longstanding commitment to the environment. Prince Albert has been a prominent voice on environmental issues since the early 1990s and he has been strongly involved in raising awareness on climate change, leading an expedition to the North Pole in 2006 to draw attention to the consequences of global warming.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which he created in 2006, works actively on protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development, with a focus on biodiversity loss, water and the fight against climate change. Prince Albert is also a patron of the Billion Tree Campaign, which successfully led to the planting of well over a billion trees across the planet in 2007.

Prince Albert has also shown remarkable commitment to sustainable development on his home turf of Monaco. Under his leadership, Monaco is now applying an exemplary policy on carbon dioxide reduction in every sphere of society as well as in the business sector.

Latin America and the Caribbean:

Liz Thompson (Photo
courtesy Barbados
Labour Party)

Liz Thompson has become one of the recognized leaders on environmental issues of the small island developing states.

During her time as minister of energy and the environment of Barbados, which ended in 2006, she enacted a range of progressive policies for sustainable development and environmental protection.

She also became a key voice to raise awareness of global warming in Barbados – a country where the challenges of climate change and conservation are of particular relevance.

Thompson has also played a role in environmental awareness and protection across the Caribbean region. She has encouraged small island states to diversify their economies, undertake sustainability assessments, and promote community-based programs that have positive environmental impacts.

North America:

Timothy Wirth
(Photo courtesy
UN Foundation)

For the last 30 years, Timothy Wirth has been an advocate for environmental issues in the United States. As the president of the United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund, Wirth has established the environment as a key priority and is mobilizing strong resources to address crucial issues from biodiversity to climate change and renewable energy.

A strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol, Wirth was instrumental in raising awareness and calling for policy action on global warming during his time as United States Under-Secretary of State for Global Affairs from 1993 to 1997.

Wirth was a steadfast advocate on environmental issues during his time as a member of the U.S. Senate, when he engaged in a number of conservation and natural resource issues in his home state of Colorado. Wirth authored the Colorado Wilderness Bill as well as other successful legislation on energy, conservation and environmental protection.

West Asia:

Abdul-Qader
Ba-Jammal
(Photo courtesy
Almotamar)

Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal has had a pioneering influence on environmental protection in Yemen – a country which faces acute challenges from water scarcity to desertification.

During his time as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, he established Yemen’s Ministry of Water and Environment and Environment Protection Authority, solicited national and international funding for environmental conservation and sustainable water management, and implemented a series of groundbreaking environmental policies in Yemen and the region.

Ba-Jammal orchestrated conservation efforts for the Socotra archipelago, a site of global importance for biodiversity. The Socotra conservation fund came into being under his patronage, and the archipelago was listed as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve in 2003.

Among other achievements, Ba-Jammal supported the declaration of several marine and land protected areas in Yemen and established a state agency for the development of Yemeni islands with a focus on marine resources conservation. Along with Ba-Jammal’s work on Yemen’s water sector, all these projects serve as key examples of environmental awareness in a region where water and conservation issues are of vital importance – increasingly so in a climate-constrained world.

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AUSTIN, Texas, January 21, 2008 (ENS) – Whole Foods Market announced today that it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with the goal to be free of plastic bags by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

“Central to Whole Foods Market’s core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices,” said A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market.

“More and more cities and countries are beginning to place serious restrictions on single-use plastic shopping bags since they don’t break down in our landfills, can harm nature by clogging waterways and endangering wildlife, and litter our roadsides,” Gallo said.

The first U.S. supermarket to commit to completely eliminating disposable plastic grocery bags to help protect the environment and conserve resources, Whole Foods Market has declared today “Bring Your Own Bag Day.

The company gave out 50,000 reusable shopping bags to customers at the checkouts this morning to celebrate the announcement. “We hope to inspire shoppers to prompt positive environmental change by adopting the reusable bag mindset,” said Gallo.

“Together with our shoppers, our gift to the planet this Earth Day will be reducing our environmental impact as we estimate we will keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of our environment between Earth Day and the end of this year alone,” he said.

“Doing away with plastic grocery bags won’t just help protect marine life, it’s a key move in shifting us away from a ‘consume-and-dispose’ mentality,” says Lisa Mastny, editor of the Worldwatch Institute report “Oceans in Peril.”

“Disposable plastic bags can linger in the environment for more than 1,000 years and are the major debris item found on the seabed, especially near the coast,” she said.

“During our International Coastal Cleanup each year, our volunteers find hundreds of thousands of bags on beaches and in the ocean posing a threat to birds, turtles and other marine life,” said Laura Capps, senior vice president of communications and outreach with Ocean Conservancy.

“We applaud Whole Foods Market for encouraging their customers to bring re-usable bags when shopping and for making better stewardship of our environment a part of their everyday lives,” said Capps.

“Before Whole Foods Market decided to do away with this disposable plastic grocery bags at our checkouts, we ran tests in San Francisco, Toronto and Austin. Customers have overwhelmingly supported the plastic bag ban initiated by Whole Foods Market in these cities and applauded the progressive stance the stores have taken,” said Gallo.

Although the company hopes to inspire shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags will still be offered at checkout.

Last year, Whole Foods Market became the first and only food retailer in North America to offer these recycled paper grocery bags made with 100 percent recycled fiber content.

Whole Foods Market stores have begun using all-natural fiber packaging at salad and food bars. The fibers for the new containers come from plants that are cultivated or grow wild and are harvested annually. Additionally, the company continues to seek alternatives to plastic bags in its bulk, produce, bakery and seafood departments.

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