December 2006
Monthly Archive
Monday 04 Dec 2006
Pest illustrations from APHIS
Monday 04 Dec 2006
Wal-Mart to Use Preferred Substances in Chemical Intensive Products
Wal-Mart to Use Preferred Substances in Chemical Intensive Products
Source: GreenBiz.com
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 31, 2006 - Wal-Mart Stores says it plans to begin implementing its “Preferred Chemical Principles” to establish a clear set of preferred chemical characteristics for product ingredients.
The purpose is to drive the development of more sustainable products for “mother, child, and the environment,” according to the company. The first three of these priority chemicals are being announced at the Molecule-to-Molecule meeting, a two-day event hosted by the Chemical Intensive Product Network (CIP), a group designed to engage suppliers, NGO’s, government, academics and other subject matter experts on issues and opportunities around product sustainability.
“One of our environmental goals at Wal-Mart is to sell products that sustain our resources and our environment,” said John Westling, senior vice president and general merchandise manager, Merchandise Division, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We are excited about how this set of principles will help move us toward more sustainable products for mother, child and the environment, and the three priority chemicals we are focusing on are a first step in implementation. We plan to extend this effort to 17 additional chemicals over the next two years. We anticipate that our efforts will encourage our suppliers and their suppliers to innovate new product formulations that will be better for our customers and for the environment.”
The company has adopted a three-stage process to drive innovation and inspire suppliers to find substitutes for chemicals of concern. The three stages include, (1) Awareness - where participating suppliers will be given a period to identify for Wal-Mart any of their products that currently use one of the priority chemicals as ingredients, (2) Development of an Action Plan - where suppliers communicate to Wal-Mart their plans regarding the Priority Chemicals in their products, and (3) Recognition and Reward - where Wal-Mart acknowledges the suppliers who participate in this effort.
The first three chemicals include two pesticides: propoxur and permethrin (both used in household insect control products) and an ingredient in some cleaning products: nonyl phenol ethoxylates (NPE). The company’s preference is to move to alternative chemicals that meet the Wal-Mart Preferred Chemical Principles in its efforts toward a more sustainable future.
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34194
0 comments Lori Bushway | Articles for the public, Resources
Monday 04 Dec 2006
How Food Finds its Way to Your Plate
Talk of the Nation, November 24, 2006 · Where does your food really come from, and what should you have for dinner? Chances are that your food traveled hundreds of miles before it landed on your plate. But some experts say eating local might make us healthier, and better stewards of the environment.
We talk about the business of agriculture with author Michael Pollan, author Brian Halweil and Jennifer L. Wilkins, a Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow at Cornell University.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6534839
0 comments Lori Bushway | Articles for the public, Resources
Monday 04 Dec 2006
NWF’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat (BWH) program
Take your garden to the next level!
Turn your backyard into a wildlife-friendly habitat and help celebrate 70 years of conservation!
Through NWF’s Backyard Wildlife HabitatTM (BWH) program, you can take a hands-on approach in helping wildlife - wherever you live!
It doesn’t matter if your home is a farm in the country, a house in the suburbs, or even an apartment in the city; it’s easy to create a habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Our BWH program gives you all the information you’ll need!
For over 30 years, NWF’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites have helped to make a place for wildlife in the modern world, while at the same time helping both kids and adults connect with the nature just outside their door.
To date, we’ve certified over 60,000 habitat sites-special places that provide the essentials for attracting enjoyable wildlife.
And now, in celebration of the National Wildlife Federation’s 70th anniversary this year, we’ve set forth a goal of certifying the 70,000th Backyard Wildlife Habitat site. Certify your yard today and you can help get us there!
nefits!
- Recognition - Receive a Certification Packet and a personal Certificate of Achievement suitable for framing.
- Enjoyment - Be rewarded with a beautiful yard filled with colorful butterflies, sweet-singing songbirds and other fascinating wildlife.
- Satisfaction - Feel good about nurturing wildlife all year long by providing food, water, cover and places to raise young.
- Useful Tips - Receive a free subscription to the quarterly email newsletter, Habitats, with tips on improving your yard and attracting wildlife year after year.
- Unique Sign - Be eligible to purchase a special yard sign to show your commitment to nature and wildlife.
- Free Membership - Get a complimentary membership to NWF including a full-year of the award-winning National Wildlife magazine, a $15 value in itself!
Click here to complete the application. It costs only $15! Once your application is accepted, you’ll begin to enjoy the benefits listed above.
Help Us Reach Our 70,000 Goal Certify Today!
We’re getting
so close!
Help us hit our 70,000 goal in 2006!
Friend of Wildlife, in the U.S., 63,525 citizens have already certified their backyards.
Certify your yard today and receive many benefits, including a free NWF membership.
0 comments Lori Bushway | National, Public events, awards ...