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Green news from around the world

Environment is top issue for Canadians

(January 4, 2007) A Decima poll released today shows that 19% of Canadians feel the environment is the greatest concern facing Canada. The poll of 1,727 respondents found that the environment ranked ahead of health care (13 per cent). The Decima poll reinforces an early November 2006 Ipsos Reid poll that found 26% of Canadians feel the environment should receive the greatest attention from Canada's leaders. According to the Ipsos Reid survey, healthcare/Medicare (24%) and international war/conflict (14%) trailed the environment.

Washington State gets tough on e-waste

(March 26, 2006) Washington state has enacted the toughest law on e-waste in North America. The law mandates that electronics and computer companies, rather than consumers, pay for the recycling of old equipment. Washington is the fourth state to enact e-waste legislation. California charges consumers a recycling fee when they buy a computer or television. Maine and Maryland place responsibility on electronics providers, but neither go as far in establishing a system of collecting, transporting and processing electronic waste. Another 19 states are considering some form of legislation on electronic waste. According to the new law, no manufacturer can sell an electronic product in the state unless the manufacturer is participating in an approved electronic waste recycling plan. The Washington law received support from several large electronics providers, including Hewlett-Packard and Amazon.com.

E-waste is a huge environmental problem. Environment Canada studies show that disposed computer equipment, phones, audio-visual equipment and small household appliances account for more than 140,000 tonnes, or 4.5 kilograms per person, of waste each year in Canada.

Discarded TV's and PC's can contain as much as eight pounds of lead, as well as mercury, cadmium and other substances that are harmless when part of a piece of equipment but a health risk when they reach a landfill.

Currently, the province of Alberta collects a fee of between $5 and $45 on new electronics purchases to cover the costs of collection, transportation and recycling of electronic materials, education and awareness programs and electronics recycling-related research. The federal government anticipates rolling out a full e-waste program by the end of 2006.

Schwarzenegger aims for green office

(Feb. 9, 2006) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has unveiled a new web site dedicated to encouraging an energy efficient and environmentally friendly California. Green California includes reference materials for the design, construction, benchmarking and operation of 'green' buildings, and provides information on environmentally friendly office supplies, paper products and office machines. Access www.green.ca.gov for more information.

Pilot goes green

(Jan. 6, 2006) Pilot has launched a range of recycled products named Begreen. The products, which feature in all of the major writing instrument categories, contain over 70 per cent recycled material with 100 per cent of the plastic components made entirely from recycled material. 

Vancouver boldly approves ethical sourcing policy

(Feb. 18, 2005) The City of Vancouver has adopted a purchasing policy and suppliers' code of conduct that takes an ethical stand on issues associated with child labour and other fundamental labour rights. They are the first city in Canada to have a comprehensive purchasing policy. Click here to link to the full article.