Thursday, March 27, 2014

Waste Pollution Prevention by Sandra Boggs: Green Hotel Webinar Series; School Eco-tech Grants; Victory for Cell Phone Users


WasteP2 Listserve 

March 26, 2014 

Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau 
Department of Environmental Quality 
Sandra Boggs

News and Updates 
1. Green Hotel Webinar Series: FREE 
The EPA is offering a series of six webinars that will cover sustainability topics for the lodging 
sector. Energy efficiency is featured in several of the webinars, as well as water conservation, 
waste management, green cleaning, stormwater management and more. A total of 18 
presentations are included in the six webinars. Don’t miss this chance to learn from those that 
have implemented changes that save money while saving resources. 
2.Eco-Tech Grants Available to Schools: Captain Planet Foundation 

Sixteen grants will be awarded to schools or non-profit organizations for the purpose of engaging children in inquiry-based projects in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that use innovation, biomimicry / nature-based design, or new uses for technology to address environmental problems in their communities. Schools from all states are eligible to apply.
3. Compost From Food Waste and Understanding Soil Chemistry and Soil 
Biology on a College / University Campus 
This FREE webinar is hosted by EPA as part of their Food Recovery Challenge. 
12pm Mountain Time 
April 3, 2014 
4. ISRI Releases Guide to Scrap Metal Laws in All States 

The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has released a guide to the laws governing 
theft of scrap metal and other requirements regarding the buying and selling of scrap metals. 
Find a link to the guide on the homepage of ISRI: www.isri.org 
In addition ISRI has formed a Law Enforcement Advisory Council to assist authorities in 
addressing the problem of scrap metal theft. 


5. Paper Reduction: EPA Switching to Electronic Document Tracking 

The EPA continues to work on changing the current manifest system for tracking the movement and disposal of hazardous wastes. The EPA is changing from hard-copy forms to an electronic system. Catch up on the current work and next steps here: 
The final system is expected to save hundreds of man-hours required for paperwork by the old system while increasing transparency for the public regarding the transport of hazardous wastes through communities.

6. A Victory for Cell Phone Users and Recyclers
A new policy now allows for the ‘unlocking’ of cell phones and switching carriers without
having to change phones. The agreement between the Federal Communications Commission
and major carriers removes a hurdle for cell phone refurbishers and recyclers, as well as
consumers. The U.S. is the only country with copyright laws that block the reuse of technology at the end of a device’s ‘life’.
-American Recycler

7. Positively Clean Plastic Recycling
http://www.recyclingtoday.com/rt0114-plastics-recycling-technology.aspx
Advice on successful PET recycling processors.
-Recycling Today

8. Earth Day’s Green Cities Initiative

9. Webinars, Trainings, Conferences and More

Date Topics

Green Hotel Webinar Series: Water and Energy Efficiency
March 28, 2014
11 am – 12:15 pm
Sponsored by EPA


Deconstruction Webinar Series
March 27, 2014
12:00 pm MT
Sponsored by WasteCap Resource Solutions


Green Hotel Webinar Series: Food Service and Renovations
April 2, 2014
11 am – 12:15 pm
Sponsored by EPA


University Composting and Understanding Soil Chemistry
April 3, 2014
12 pm – 1:30 pm
Sponsored by EPA


Green Hotel Webinar Series: Reduce Toxic Chemical Use and Stormwater
Management
April 13, 2014
11 am – 12:15 pm
Sponsored by EPA


Transportation Planning
April 17, 2014
1 pm – 2 pm MT
Sponsored by EPA Region 8

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