It’s time to collect data for the P2 Results Measurement System. The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) / Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) P2 Results Task Force requests that your program submits P2 results data to the P2 Results System for calendar years 2010 and 2011.  Data providers can submit information at any time, but an initial deadline has been set for July 1, 2013.

Use this link to submit your data. (http://www.p2rx.org/measurement/index.cfm?page=login) For assistance entering data or for login credentials, contact your regional P2Rx center measurement person at: (http://www.p2rx.org/measurement/index.cfm?page=more).  We have included “Guidance on Submitting Data to the P2 Results Data System” with this Call for Data that we urge you to review when you are gathering and submitting your results.

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 5 – 11:00 AM PDT

The e-waste recovery infrastructure fostered by the CEW recycling program has resulted in approximately 1.2 billion pounds of obsolete TVs and monitors collected and dismantled in California over the past seven years. However, traditional markets for used CRT glass have diminished, creating challenges for recyclers looking for outlets for this material, even as an increasing amount of non-CRT video displays are joining the e-waste stream. CalRecycle and DTSC have been working on revised regulations to address this. Speakers Jeff Hunts from CalRecycle and Kevin Sanchez from DTSC will present an update on regulations and also provide a review of the e-waste claims and reporting processes.

Webinar Link:  Click Here

Webinar: Colony Collapse Disorder and What’s Being Done to Protect our Pollinators

Date/Time: Tuesday, June 11 – 11:00 AM PDT

The decline of bees is getting global attention as we risk losing the ecosystem services these important pollinators provide.   On April 29, it was announced that the European Union will enforce the world’s first near continent-wide ban on widely used insecticides found to present an unacceptable risk to bees when properly applying the precautionary principle.

Walter Haefeker, a beekeeper in Bavaria serving as the President of the European Professional Bee Keepers Association helped lead the European beekeeping community’s efforts to support the EU Commission’s proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam) for seed treatment, soil application (granulate) and foliar treatment on bee attractive plants and cereals.

During this Webinar, Walter will speak about critical issues facing bees today including diseases, pesticides, genetically modified crops and intensive agricultural practices.  He will share his experience working in coordination with environ- mental NGOs and family farmers organizations towards more bee-friendly friendly production of food, textiles and energy. He will discuss the successful “Fair Milk” campaign where Walter worked together with independent German dairy farmers to use bee friendly methods of feed production and land management.

He will also provide insights into a new cooperation with the German Biogas Producers organization to replace corn with flowering plants to produce renewable energy and honey while promoting biodiversity and regenerating soil. Finally, Walter will introduce a new international label developed and owned by the beekeeping community, which is designed to mobilize consumer demand for certified bee-friendly production.

Register for Webinar:  Click Here

The Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E), held June 18-20 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in the Washington D.C. area, is an opportunity to propel your understanding of green chemistry and engineering forward, build valuable connections, and share research and insights with others.

Sponsored by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute, GC&E offers 3 days of programming including world-renowned keynote speakers, 2 poster sessions and more than 25 technical sessions on subjects such as designing safer chemicals and products, bio-based chemical feedstocks, green chemistry education, and new business through green chemistry innovations. Visit the conference site for more information: http://gcande.org/

The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) announces its 2013 P2 Certificate Program where participants can receive non-accredited education hours for attending webinars, seminars and other pollution prevention trainings in Region 9 and throughout the nation. For details and contest rules: REGISTER NOW

The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) display the winners of the 2012 P2 Week Video Contest.
See the winners of the P2 Week Video Contest for 2013

WSPPN responded to its state technical assistance providers by designing a P2-101 basic training module to address the turnover of P2 professionals at manufacturing facilities.  Ten 5 to 20 minute videos were produced and other P2 training links were added to the WSPPN website.  See http://wsppn.org/p2-training/p2-101-basic-training/.

By Kirsten Liske

The California Green Business Program (CAGBP) is a legislatively legitimized (AB 913, 2011) voluntary program offered by local government agencies that validates sustainable business activities, establishes a green marketplace, and tracks and promotes measurable economic and environmental outcomes from practices changes implemented by business participants.

In the program, local public agencies provide free or low cost expert technical assistance in air quality, solid waste, water supply, wastewater, storm water, hazardous waste and materials, and energy. Businesses who achieve a minimum level of compliance and sustainability practices become Certified Green Businesses and receive free marketing. The CAGBP is one of the few governmental environmental assistance programs that also result in economic development and beneficial governmental relations.

Launched in 1996, the program is now available in 21 California jurisdictions representing almost 40% of the state. More than 2,700 small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are certified statewide.  In 2012 those certified businesses achieved the following environmental protection and cost saving outcomes:

The programs work together as part of the statewide California Green Business Network. In 2012, in addition to local program funding challenges, the Network was informed that some critical state funding that supports the statewide database would not be available past the next fiscal year. This reduction in resources came at a time of unprecedented program expansion with agencies from Humboldt to Los Angeles beginning to launch programs and needing support. With the opportunity to really engage and support a robust statewide program, combined with resourcing challenges, the Network hosted a two-day “Charting the Path to Sustainability” retreat March 20-21, 2013 that led to a prioritized nine step action plan and working groups signed up to move those forward.

Eighteen of the twenty-one programs were represented, and the retreat attracted the participation of Cal EPA agencies (CalRecycle, DTCS, and CARB) as well as the Governors “Go Biz” program.  Small and medium certified businesses and the program auditing and certification partner agencies also participated for a total of almost 60 attendees. The retreat was designed and facilitated by nonprofit Institute of the Commons, who also helped with the formation of the California Product Stewardship Council as an extended statewide organization.

The group started with identifying key timeline activities and appreciations of the people and successes we’ve had along the way.  They then did scenario and trend identification for things that affect green businesses and the programs.  Individual work and breakout groups were then formed to identify and prioritize key areas for action to help the CAGBP move forward to sustainability in the face of all of those trends.  Participants were amazed that, at the end of a day and half retreat, we were leaving with action plans and commitments to further them!  The key areas where committees formed to take action are listed below,

The California Green Business Program:

• Is driven by accurate and current performance data
• Leverages technology
• Practices collaborative governance
• Attracts sustainable, reliable funding
• Maintains high and consistent performance standards
• Develops and implements effective marketing and branding for certified green businesses
• Fosters sustainability education in schools
• Promotes green workforce development
• Continually expands our program impact and reach.

The transcriptions of the retreat with specific action plan steps are currently being approved by participants and, once complete, will be available to the public.  Please contact Jo Fleming at jo.fleming@envirocentives.com if you would like a copy or to find out how to participate in one of our action planning groups!

About the Author:

Kirsten Liske is one of the California Green Business Program’s biggest fans.  As Vice President of P2 and Zero Waste at Ecology Action she helped the Monterey Bay Area GBP launch and has leveraged her nonprofit’s mission and resources to help the statewide Network develop the database and its organization. Ecology Action facilitated the Network’s Strategy and Policy Committee through the retreat planning process.

Ecology Action, a California based non profit, has been a leading provider of innovative marketing and engagement programs that overcome barriers to reducing energy use and achieving environmental sustainability. Learn more at www.ecoact.org

Fossil fuels have powered human growth and ingenuity for centuries. Now that we’re reaching the end of cheap and abundant oil and coal supplies, we’re in for an exciting ride. While there’s a real risk that we’ll fall off a cliff, there’s still time to control our transition to a post-carbon future.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

WSPPN P2-101 Training Modules

WSPPN and the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) partnered to develop an online training in pollution prevention (P2). This nine-lesson virtual training was originally presented at a conference in Sacramento, California to provide members of business and industry, and environmental technical assistance providers, with a foundation in the key principles and strategies for preventing pollution.

Through the training, you will learn: key definitions for P2 and how P2 fits with other greening initiatives, including energy efficiency; tools and resources for waste identification; and how to apply and prioritize P2 approaches at a business. You will also learn how to manage change; overcome barriers; conduct post-project evaluations; and put your company on a path for sustained P2 success.

WSPPN would especially like to thank presenters Jeffrey Burke and Michael Simpson.

When you are done, check out our Green Chemistry 101.

An Organizational Guide to Pollution Prevention

http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-01/documents/organizationalguide.pdf

Published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2001, this publication was made available by EPA’s Office of Research and Development to assist the user community and to link researchers with their clients.  This Pollution Prevention (P2) Guide provides information to help organizations get P2 programs started or to re-evaluate existing P2 programs. It presents an alternative method for working on P2 projects and four approaches to implementing a P2 program in an organization.

Sustainable Manufacturing

Measuring environmental performance is a key first step on the road to sustainability. However, measuring performance can be difficult, especially for smaller companies. Choosing which metrics to use and just knowing where to start the process can be daunting. Difficulty in measuring performance hampers the adoption of more sustainable manufacturing practices.

The OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit includes an easy to follow start-up guide (http://www.oecd.org/redirect/dataoecd/22/32/48661768.pdf) that introduces the concept and walks users through the measurement process. It also includes a web portal with in-depth information on the indicators, country-specific sources of data and information, a glossary, best practices, and technical advice.

Purdue University Technical Assistance Program

http://www.greenmanufacturing.purdue.edu

Purdue’s Technical Assistance Program offers green manufacturing training that provides participants with knowledge in green enterprises. Purdue’s Green Enterprise Development (GreenED) workforce training program teaches green manufacturing ideas through a series of in-depth training modules. The three-level program allows you to earn a green manufacturing certificate once you successfully complete the modules and exam.

The Green Generalist (Green 101) serves as the foundation course for the green initiative. You’ll learn about topics like sustainability, solid waste management, energy management and environmental business management. You will also learn how to develop and implementation an action plan for your green initiative.  Methods of Training: Onsite Training, Public Workshops, Train-the-Trainer, Online.

To learn more, (800) 877-5182 or greenmfg@purdue.edu. 

Other modules include Level 2 – Specialist, Level 3 – Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Green Manufacturing Specialist Exam and Certificate and other elective courses.

Other P2 101 Resources

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990

Policy and Definition:  http://www.epw.senate.gov/PPA90.pdf

Small Business Guide: http://www.epa.gov/p2/why-should-you-care-about-preventing-waste-small-business-guide