Vol. 14 No. 1 Spring 2004

THE NORTHEAST WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS' ASSOCIATION (NEWMOA) NEWMOA is a non-profit, non-partisan interstate governmental association. The membership is composed of state environmental agency directors of the pollution prevention, hazardous and solid waste, and waste site cleanup programs in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NEWMOA’s mission is to develop and sustain an effective partnership of states to explore, develop, promote, and implement environmentally sound solutions for the reduction and management of materials and waste, and for the remediation of contaminated sites, in order to achieve a clean and healthy environment. The group fulfills this mission by providing a variety of support services that facilitate communication and cooperation among member states and between states and EPA. NEWMOA's P2 program was established in 1989 to enhance the capabilities of the state and local environmental officials in the northeast to implement effective source reduction programs. The program is called the Northeast States Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NE P2 Roundtable). This program involves the following components: (1) NE P2 Roundtable meetings and workgroups; (2) regional P2 information resource center and databases of information; (3) source reduction research and publications; (4) training sessions; and (5) regional policy coordination and development.

Environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) - or, as some people call it, "buying green" - has been gaining momentum among consumers, businesses, government agencies, and institutions across the region. More and more people are implementing the idea of consciously integrating environmental considerations into purchasing decisions. Producers are providing more choices of products that have relatively fewer toxic chemicals, generate less waste, require less energy to operate, are more easily recycled, and integrate more recycled product content. The following examples from some of the Northeast states illustrate how federal and state assistance and pollution prevention programs are promoting EPP on a daily basis within their own agencies, throughout state and local government, and to consumers.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has been concentrating on reducing air emissions and energy usage in their programs to promote environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) within the state's government, including:

• Requiring Energy Star certification for electronics purchasing
• Encouraging the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products; the Agency determines, which clearers are safer for the environment by reviewing labels and MSDS sheets and, in the future, considering those certified under the Green Seal 37 standard
• Implementing an executive order for state vehicle purchasing based on tail-pipe emissions; currently the state has 12 hybrids with plans to buy 17 more, including 5 hybrid pick up trucks in 2004
• Purchasing bio-diesel for heating some state facilities
• Purchasing at least 40 percent renewable energy for electricity from green energy alternatives
• Purchasing carpool and trip software for employee traveling
• Implementing post-consumer recycled content requirements for paper purchasing

For more information contact: Peter Cooke, DEP (207) 287-7100.

On October 8, 2003, the Massachusetts Operational Services Division (OSD) hosted the 9th Annual Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs) Vendor Fair and Conference at the Worcester Centrum Centre. For the 800+ registered participants comprised of state and local government staff, the event was an excellent opportunity to see over 100 exhibits of EPPs under one roof in one day. Featured products included less toxic cleaning products, organic fertilizers, non-chemical water treatment technologies, ecological landscaping products/services, plastic lumber furniture and playground equipment, waterless plumbing devices, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, compostable tableware, and much more.

Last year's event specifically addressed the budget woes of many state and local governments by focusing on ways to save money through green purchasing. The slate of workshops featured such topics as, "Cutting Costs with Cutting Edge Products," "Gain Without Pain-Money and Energy," "Cleaning for Health with EPPs," "Best Management Practices-Sustainability in Action," and "Green Renovations without Demolishing your Budget." Several electric and alternative fuel vehicles models were on hand for a test drive, including a waterless street sweeper, already in use by one MA community.

Awards were given to government agencies and private companies. The Sustainable Purchasing/Practices Award was presented to the City of Waltham. Arlington received the Municipal Award for its exceptional approach to EPP purchasing and comprehensive program of sustainable community planning and growth. The Bureau of State Office Buildings (BSOB) and Department of Corrections (DOC) both received Agency Awards-BSOB for their expanded recycling program and recent introduction of EPP cleaning products to four state buildings and DOC for their unparalleled commitment to recycling and multi-facility retrofit project that saved nearly $1.5 million in less than one year.

Business awards were presented to Diversified Business Systems, a Haverhill-based printing company, and Agresource Inc. for their leadership efforts in waste reduction and for offering value-added services aimed at saving money for their customers.

For further information contact: Peter Allison, MA DEP (617) 292-5980.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Pollution Prevention and Right to Know (OPPRTK) has partnered with INFORM, a non-profit research group, on a project, "PBT-Free Purchasing Assistance in New Jersey." This effort builds on work INFORM initiated with the Purchase Bureau in the New Jersey State Treasury to reduce the purchase of products containing persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBTs) substances for use by government agencies, businesses, and institutions. In particular, this project focuses on products containing mercury.

Over the past few years, INFORM has worked with the State's Treasury to include mercury disclosure language in New Jersey's Request for Proposal (RFP) for incandescent, high intensity discharge (HID), and fluorescent lamps - the first of its kind in the nation. Nationally, it is estimated that 2-4 tons of mercury are released from fluorescent tubes each year. New Jersey's contribution, based on population, is about 3 percent or roughly 200 pounds per year. Switching to low mercury lamps with proper end-of-life recycling could significantly reduce this source of emissions.

Discussions with NJ DEP purchasing staff resulted in a pilot project to relamp some of the DEP-owned buildings with low mercury fluorescent lamps. Due to the direct impact of mercury on fish and sport fishing in New Jersey, the Fish and Wildlife Program was invited to be an initial participant in this pilot effort. NJ DEP staff and INFORM's green building specialist met with facility maintenance staff and performed a walk through of three NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife facilities - two small office buildings and one building containing a nature center and hatchery. INFORM and NJ DEP staff conducted an inventory of existing lamps at all three facilities. They discussed with facility staff the purchasing of low mercury lamps from the state purchasing contracts and proper disposal techniques of existing lamps. Fish and Wildlife agreed to pilot the low mercury lamps effort as a means to publicize and encourage adoption of this mercury reduction strategy by other state government programs.

The hatchery contains over 750 lamps of various sizes and types. The smaller office buildings use less than 100 lamps. Mercury content of lamps varies among manufacturers between 4.4 milligrams (mg) up to 15 mg for the standard 4 foot T12 lamp. Older lamps could contain as much as 60 mg. INFORM calculates that the fluorescent lamps at the hatchery alone could contain over 16 grams of mercury. When all the lamps are switched to "low mercury" lamps, they will contain slightly more than 3.5 grams of mercury.

Lamp disposal contributes to environmental releases. It is difficult to predict how much mercury is released from broken fluorescent lamps into the environment because releases are dependent upon handling procedures. Studies have shown that roughly 80 percent of the discarded lamps are broken, while 20 percent are recycled. Of the 80 percent that are broken, approximately 20-40 percent of the mercury in the lamps is released into the environment. Using the mid-range of 30 percent, installing low mercury lamps will result in 3 grams of mercury not released into the environment from this one hatchery facility.

Implementation of the change-out to low mercury lamps is expected to be completed by spring of 2004. NJ DEP used funds from the OPPRTK budget to initially purchase the lamps, while using EPA funds to educate staff and visitors to the facilities about the potential to accomplish mercury reductions through purchase and recycling of low mercury lamps. If the pilot is successful, it is expected that other DEP facilities and eventually all state facilities will change to low mercury fluorescent lamps, thus avoiding unnecessary mercury releases into the environment.

For further information contact: William Lowry, NJ DEP (609) 777-0518.

Vermont state government has already accomplished a great deal in greening its own supply chain and promoting environmentally preferable purchasing of many products, including refillable pens, custodial chemical cleaning supplies, chlorine-free recycled paper, re-treaded tires, hybrid vehicles, and other energy efficient technologies. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) longstanding partnership with the State Purchasing Office has served to conserve resources, protect the environment, and safeguard human health. Items on the state contract have benefited state government, municipalities, and schools - but the contract is restricted to these entities, so benefits are not be extended to the average Vermont consumer.

The Vermont Household Hazardous Product Shelf Labeling Program, established in 1991, required all retailers stocking household products containing hazardous constituents to identify those products via a shelf label. The program's purpose was to promote toxic use reduction and pollution prevention by educating consumers about the dangers of hazardous household products and encouraging them to consider alternatives. Additionally, through customer education, the program intended to send a signal to manufacturers to produce less hazardous products by stimulating demand for non-toxic alternatives.

During the more than a decade that the Department tried to implement the shelf labeling program, there was only limited compliance by the approximately 3,500 Vermont stores (e.g., grocery, hardware, house and garden, and convenience stores) subject to the law. Because of this and because of mounting retailer opposition, the law was repealed in 2002.

In order to determine what sort of effort was needed to replace the failed shelf-labeling program, the Department created a public/private partnership to engage representatives from the public and private sectors to determine how to better understand consumer preferences and obstacles to purchasing environmentally preferable products (EPPs) and to test popular assumptions about what drives decision-making in the marketplace.

Organized as The Consumer Toxics Use Reduction Committee, members researched various types of consumer products to discover the human health risks associated with exposure to hazardous constituents and the environmental risks associated with release into the environment. Committee members wrestled both with what it is that science could tell us about these risks - and what it could not.

Using the tools of Community-Based Social Marketing, the group intends to identify barriers to the EPP behaviors they hope to promote and to develop a grant program to fund pilot projects designed to test various strategies for overcoming these barriers.

After educating one another, Committee members decided to focus their attentions on house and garden pesticides, household cleaning chemical supplies, and health and beauty aids. The Environmental Assistance Division drafted two survey tools with Committee overview. The first survey was administered to Vermont retailers and sought to better understand how available environmentally preferable products are in the stores, and if they are not, to discover what the obstacles and barriers might be to environmentally preferable purchasing. The second survey was administered as a telephone questionnaire of Vermonters in order "…to determine how best to better understand consumer preferences and obstacles to purchasing environmentally preferable products and to test popular assumptions about what drives decision-making in the marketplace."

Although results of the consumer survey are still being evaluated and statistically analyzed, findings from the vendor survey suggest the following:

• A clear majority of survey respondents do not stock EPPs, and only 30 percent of survey respondents are asked by customers to have such products on the shelves.
• 60 percent of survey respondents expressed interest in carrying EPPs.
• Key obstacles to stocking EPPs are
• Lack of consumer demand (66 percent)
• Higher costs of some alternatives (66 percent)
• Products not available through distributor (54 percent)
• A majority (77 percent) of survey respondents said that if information and assistance were made available on safer or less toxic products, they would consider carrying such products.

These findings make it clear that the attitudes of both vendors and consumers combine to influence the availability and demand for EPPs and that any effort to increase the placement of EPPs on shelves must be premised on an information, education, and outreach campaign focused on both vendors and consumers.

The Consumer Toxics Use Reduction Committee and the VT DEC intend to establish a small grants program and to solicit proposals from others to use the findings of the two surveys to develop initiatives designed to test various incentives and approaches to overcoming identified barriers to the purchase of EPPs. Results from the consumer survey are anticipated by the end of March.

In the past year, EPA has taken a variety of steps to improve its own green purchasing activities. This includes the approval of an Agency EPP policy, setting "green" purchasing goals for 2005 and 2010 in the areas of building, janitorial services, copy paper, meetings, office supplies, electronics, vehicle fleets, landscaping, power, and recycling/waste prevention.

More recently, EPA developed a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to buy "green" office supplies on-line from a national vendor. All EPA Regional Offices will be transitioning to this on-line ordering system in the fall of 2004. A set of environmental criteria for office supplies has been developed to meet or exceed EPA's recycled content guidelines. The product guidelines include environmental attributes, such as process chlorine free, rechargeable, non-toxic, and non-ozone depleting substances, among others. For the first time, this centralized purchasing system will allow EPA to track its purchases of recycled content and other "green" products with great speed and detail.

In Region 1-NE, an EPP workgroup functions as part of the Regional Green Team. Some of the reported successes for 2003 include purchases of 100 percent recycled content paper, remanufactured toner cartridges, re-refined engine oil, and electronics recycling services.

Web Resources

This section of the NE States P2 News lists useful web resources that are focused on the topics of the Feature Articles.

CONSUMER EPP

GreenHome.Com

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut DEP

After this cold New England winter, it may be hard for some to believe that climate change is taking place. But the Earth's temperature has increased by about 1º F over the past 100 years and is continuing to rise at a record rate. This warming is already causing some changes in climate and many more are predicted -- such as fluctuations in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.

Global warming is already impacting Connecticut. The mean annual temperature in the state has increased 1.7º F in the past 100 years. Along Connecticut's southern shore, the temperatures increased 3.5º F in the past century. According to a recent report by Environmental Defense ("Bracing for Climate Change in the Constitution State," 2004), Hartford's average temperatures by 2100 could be similar to those of Raleigh, NC. If this warming continues, regional air quality may worsen. An increase in temperature, particularly during the summer, correlates with increased ground level ozone formation, which affects human health and the environment (e.g., higher asthma rates).

Many scientists have concluded that human activities are largely responsible for global warming, and the state of Connecticut has begun to address the problem. Governor Rowland and the other New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers worked together in 2001 on a climate change plan, pledging to reduce emission of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2010 and 10 percent further by 2020. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), along with over 80 organizations, including businesses, non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and academic institutions, are working to come up with solutions that reduce greenhouse gases in Connecticut.

DEP and the other stakeholders have identified 55 recommended actions that are outlined in the January 2004 report: "Connecticut Climate Change Stakeholders Dialogue: Recommendations to the Governor's Steering Committee." On March 9th, Governor Rowland announced his endorsement of 38 of these recommendations that the State Government will pursue. These include:

• Increasing the amount of renewable energy supplied into the electric grid,
• Testing bio-diesel as an alternative fuel through a pilot program,
• Raising vehicle emission standards in CT,
• Upgrading residential and commercial energy building codes and setting high performance standards for schools and state-funded buildings, and
• Improving recycling and waste reduction efforts.

Connecticut's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered project has been completed. The Mark Twain Museum Center in Hartford is the first such project completed in Connecticut and the first museum to build green in the country. In celebration and as a kick-off for this year's Earth Week activities, an event honoring the Mark Twain Museum Center will be held on April 19th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The event will include an awards ceremony featuring the U.S. Green Building Council, CT Green Building Council, and the CT DEP; a panel discussion on "Building a Green Museum;" and building tours.

The LEED standards are a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. There are currently 11 LEED-registered projects in Connecticut, of which the Mark Twain Museum Center is the first to reach completion.

A complete update to the Pit Stops fact sheets that provide pollution prevention and compliance assistance information to auto repair shops has been completed. A daytime workshop to walk attendees through the materials has been planned for June 8, 2004, and a second workshop will be scheduled for after work hours. An environmentally preferred products (EPP) vendor show will be part of the workshop.

The CT DEP Office of Pollution Prevention, Hartford Hospital, and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) sponsored a forum, "How Hospitals Can Cut Costs and Reap Additional Benefits through Responsible Waste Management," on April 5, 2004. Mike Tortora from Hartford Hospital spoke about what they have done to significantly cut waste management costs and how other hospitals can implement these proven solutions to save money, comply with regulatory requirements, and prevent pollution. H2E presented an overview of their organization and how they can assist hospitals in their waste reduction efforts, and Janet Bowen of EPA Region 1-NE talked about the agency's recent hospital environmental assessments. The forum also served as the kick-off meeting for the newly formed Connecticut Hospital Environmental Roundtable. The Roundtable will provide opportunities for hospitals to learn from each other by sharing ideas, presenting success stories, keeping up-to-date on available resources, and discussing environmental issues that affect the health care industry. The group will meet several times a year at different host facilities.

MAINE

Maine DEP

Current activities of the Pollution Prevention Program in Maine DEP's Office of Innovation and Assistance (OIA) include:

• Attending STAR controlled spray program organized by NEWMOA.
• Updating its new P2 web site.
• Providing on-site assistance for auto salvage and auto repair facilities.
• Providing outreach and assistance to small business development centers and small business counselors.
• Establishing further partnerships with business assistance providers.
• Establishing partnerships within the energy efficiency sector and promoting their services to Maine businesses.
• Assisting four companies with the implementation of environmental management systems.
• Conducting onsite compliance assistance utilizing Maine's Small Business Compliance Incentive Policy (SBCIP).
• Continuing to provide assistance to the Green Campus Consortium in their efforts to move towards sustainability.
• Working in conjunction with the Climate Change Steering Committee on the New England Governor's and Eastern Canadian Premiers initiative to reduce greenhouse gas levels 10 percent under 1990 levels by 2012.
• Continuing to provide assistance to a number of industry sectors.
• Revitalizing the Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP) as an effective tool to weigh in on OIA activities.
• Attending ISO 14001 EMS lead auditor training.

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts OTA

Water Conservation at GKN Sinter Metals

On January 9, 2004, Environmental Affairs Secretary Ellen Roy Herzfelder and Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) Director Paul Richard recognized GKN Sinter Metals Corporation, located in Worcester, MA, for proactive steps taken to reduce the total amount of fresh water consumption at its facilities. Since implementing an on-site pretreatment and recycling operation, GKN Sinter Metals has reduced total fresh water consumption by eight million gallons per year.

In 1994, GKN Sinter Metals Corporation added a water pre-treatment and recycling system to their manufacturing operations. In addition to significant reductions in fresh water use, the company also reduced their soap consumption by 6,000 gallons per year. Copper, fats, oils, and grease were also reduced to levels below the limits established by the local publicly-owned treatment works (POTW). The installation of the

The Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and OTA formed a partnership to build a pilot unit to test the large-scale feasibility of the TAMC catalyst. OTA will support this effort with $7,000 for equipment, and UMass-Dartmouth will contribute $24,000 to fund a graduate student research assistant to do the work. The TAMC catalyst, developed by investigators at Carnegie Mellon University, is an innovative chemistry that is used to activate hydrogen peroxide to accelerate the oxidation of organic compounds in the clarification of paper and textile mill effluent. This promising new approach for clarifying is a better alternative to chlorine-based oxidants because it does not form dioxin.

The Intel Massachusetts semiconductor manufacturing facility in Hudson is currently producing Pentium® 4 microprocessors. Participants in a May 2004 workshop at their facility will learn how Intel implemented numerous water conservation projects through a team-oriented approach. These projects ranged from simple administrative modifications to Ultra Pure Water Recycle Systems and have resulted in an annual savings of over 50 million gallons of water. The seminar will demonstrate the importance of water conservation and reuse strategies for successful business growth and maintaining a competitive edge in the face of limited water and wastewater capacity. A tour of the facility will enable participants to gain a thorough understanding of the Ultra Pure Water Recycle System. While the focus of the seminar will be toward ultra pure water applications in semiconductor manufacturing, Intel's approach and concepts are transferable to other industries, such as printed circuit manufacturing.

The main focus of a MA OTA fall 2004 seminar will be to show how a union/management team-oriented approach has enabled Cranston Print Works, a textile printing facility, to achieve water savings not believed possible in the textile industry. The highlight of the seminar will be a guided tour of the facility, which will help participants gain a thorough understanding of the 25 plus water conservation projects that have been implemented. The collective result of these projects is an annual savings of 110 million gallons of water and close to $350,000 in wastewater and energy costs.

OTA, in partnership with Environmental Affair's Environmental Justice Program, is holding a Conference for Community Awareness of Clean and Green Manufacturing in September in Worcester to create community awareness about the latest innovations and opportunities for clean manufacturing methods. Participants will have the opportunity to see hands-on exhibits of environmentally-friendly manufacturing equipment, processes and products, and gain the tools to promote and establish clean manufacturing practices in their communities. To encourage statewide participation, free regional shuttle-bus transportation will be provided through a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

In January of 2004, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Dental Society agreed to establish a voluntary program to remove dental amalgam containing mercury from the waste stream, which will reduce the amount of mercury entering wastewater from dental offices by up to 95 percent over the next two years.

To participate in this voluntary program, dental practices and facilities will need to certify to DEP that they have installed an amalgam separator system that removes at least 95 percent of the amalgam waste containing mercury. The program also requires that all amalgam waste containing mercury be recycled.

This program is intended to reduce the amount of mercury released into the environment by Massachusetts dental practices and facilities. DEP is implementing this voluntary approach to encourage early installation and use of amalgam separators by dentists before the Department adopts regulations that would require these actions.

Dental practices that participate in this voluntary program by January 31, 2005 will be exempt from future DEP regulations relating to the installation, operation, maintenance, and upgrading of amalgam separation systems, and related fees, until February 1, 2010. If more than half of Massachusetts dentists participate in the voluntary program during its first year, a second one-year opportunity will be offered, which would exempt participating dentists from additional amalgam separator rules and fees until February 1, 2007.

While this voluntary program is being implemented, DEP will develop regulations that require the installation and operation of amalgam separators and the use of 'best management practices' for waste amalgam containing mercury. These regulations, which will take effect no later than February 1, 2006, are expected to be more stringent than the requirements for the voluntary program.

MA DEP has always believed that enforcement actions can provide an opportunity and incentive for the violator to reduce pollution or adopt Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that enable facilities to take a systematic approach to manage and reduce their environmental impacts. Input substitution, redesign, modernization, and improved operation and maintenance of manufacturing production units can be leveraged as part of higher-level enforcement actions. In FY 2003 (July 1, 2002-June 30, 2003) such enforcement driven measures resulted in reductions of at least 20 tons per year (TPY) of VOCs, 80 TPY of lead, 13 TPY of sulfur dioxide and other hazardous air pollutants, including polystyrene and fine particulates. Consent orders requiring recycling, reuse, and water conservation resulted in a savings of over 25,000 gallons per day of industrial water use and the resulting reduction in industrial wastewater. Enforcement negotiations resulted in nine Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) containing an EMS requirement with pollution prevention components.

In December 2003 the Massachusetts DEP announced technical assistance grant awards to a dozen Massachusetts cities and towns that want to evaluate or implement Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) solid waste management programs. DEP will provide each of these communities with up to 80 hours of direct assistance.

The communities receiving grants are Amesbury, Andover, Arlington, Belmont, Beverly, Braintree, Framingham, Gardner, Lenox, Springfield, Winchester, and Wrentham. More than 100 communities across Massachusetts already have PAYT programs in place.

Also known as unit-based pricing, PAYT is a system in which residents pay for municipal solid waste management services based on how many bags or barrels of trash they discard rather than solely through a fixed fee or property tax. Recycling and composting are provided for no additional charge. Just as they do with electricity, water and other utilities, residents pay only for the service they actually use. Because residents who discard less trash pay lower fees, they have a financial incentive to throw away less and to recycle and compost more.

PAYT is a fair and effective approach that cities as large as Brockton and Worcester have adopted to reduce waste and solid waste costs.

For more information contact: Joseph Lambert, MA DEP (617) 574-6875.

Toxics Use Reduction Institute

TURI is expanding its annual State House event to include companies conducting TUR or EMS projects, as well as Toxics Use Reduction Planners and Toxics Use Reduction Networking (TURN) grant recipients. All of the recipients will be recognized at a ceremony in the Great Hall at noon on June 15, 2004. This year's Champions of Toxics Use Reduction in Massachusetts include Boston Urban Asthma Coalition; City of Somerville Environmental Protection Office; Lowell's Coalition for a Better Acre; Massachusetts Association of Health Boards; Pioneer Valley Project; Millipore; Don Alger, Allegro; Jack Bailey, Bose Radio; Douglas DeVries, Hyde Manufacturing; and Raymond Lizotte, Texas Instruments. TURI will be highlighting projects from throughout the year including supply chain workshops and faculty research grants.

Each year the Institute supports community projects through Toxics Use Reduction Networking (TURN) grants to raise awareness and develop strategies to reduce the use of toxics in municipalities, schools, households, and small businesses.

Seeking to reduce asthma triggers in the school environment, such as industrial strength cleaners, disinfectants, pests and pesticides, the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition (BUAC) and their Healthy Schools Taskforce is promoting less toxic janitorial cleaners in Boston Public Schools. Working with the Institute's Surface Solutions Laboratory (SSL) and their partners, BUAC has documented and evaluated the existing cleaning products and made recommendations for greener cleaners. Graffiti removal products, drain openers, and disinfectants were of most concern based on their health hazard ratings. Existing contracts and plumbing issues have prevented direct purchasing from the State's new Environmentally Preferable Products list of greener cleaners.

In addition, a training curriculum for custodial staff and pilot testing protocol is being developed with the Institute's SSL. Three schools will be chosen for pilot tests. The project will serve as a model for introducing less toxic cleaners in schools.

Other TURN Projects include the development of a toxics use reduction track in the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards certification training; promoting greener household cleaners in Lowell's Hispanic and Cambodian communities; developing green building specifications for affordable housing in Springfield; and promoting greener house renovations in Somerville.

On April 13, TURI will host its annual spring Continuing Education Conference, an exciting opportunity for TUR Planners and other professionals to learn about new developments in TUR. The Conference consists of four sessions in two concurrent tracks, Technology and Policy. The first Technology session, entitled Nanomaterials: Promise and Precaution, will feature Kevin Ausman from the Center for Biological and Environmental Nanomaterials at Rice University and will highlight the work of several companies and researchers in Massachusetts. The second Technology session highlights innovative new techniques companies and federal facilities are using to reduce their use of toxics while simultaneously improving performance.

The first policy session brings together experts from government, industry, and insurance companies to address the increasingly important issue of security in facilities that use hazardous chemicals. The second policy session features a panel of policy and industry experts who will answer questions about international chemical policies to help Massachusetts companies determine how to best position themselves in the ever-evolving global marketplace. For further information, visit www.turi.org and click on calendar to download registration information.

TURI is organizing an opportunity to bring together members of two supply chain work groups, cable and wire and lead-free electronics, to discuss similarities and how international sanctions will effect production in June 2004. The date for this event has not yet been determined. University of Massachusetts Lowell faculty will also discuss current research.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hamphsire DES

Mercury Legislation

P2 staff worked with the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee to craft a bill (HB 366) that would prohibit the sale of most mercury-added measuring devices, switches, and thermostats (similar to legislation passed in Maine last year). The bill was passed out of committee 10-1 and then passed by the full House in January 2004. The bill is currently residing in the Senate, and a hearing will be scheduled in the near future. SB 373, a bill to ban the disposal of mercury-added products in landfills and incinerators (supported by NH DES) was also introduced in the 2004 session, but it was referred back to Committee where it will be worked on prior to the 2005 legislative session.

Tony is a graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor's of Science degree in physics and a Master's of Science degree in geophysics and is a licensed professional geologist. Tony had been with the Department of Environmental Services for twelve years and has a diverse background, having served in the Waste Management Division of Solid Waste, Petroleum Remediation, and Hazardous Waste Pre-Remedial programs. Prior to his hiring at DES, Tony was a Research Geophysicist with Exxon Production Research Company in Houston, Texas, a project manager for several environmental engineering firms, and founder of his own geotechnical and environmental consulting company during the early 1990's. Besides working for the Department, Tony also has an active civic schedule: he served on the Franklin School Board and is currently in his second term as Mayor of the City of Franklin. Welcome, Tony!

In February NHPPP provided an informational workshop for DES employees on Pollution Prevention at Healthcare Facilities. Provided as part of the DES strategic plan, the training focused on healthcare projects at hospital and dental offices and home health care facilities, and how P2 can be applied to each organization. The presentation included mercury, red bag, pharmaceutical, and universal waste management and disposal. The audience consisted of representatives from regulatory programs, outreach staff, and program managers.

Over the past few years, NHPPP assisted a variety of NH schools to remove unwanted and unused chemicals from science labs, art rooms, and vocational studies departments through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. NHPPP assisted seven NH towns with their school clean-outs. Through this effort, NHPPP developed a series of school best management practices (BMPs) for conducting a chemical inventory; managing mercury, photo processing, and woodworking chemicals; compiling a "red flag" list of chemicals; and using green cleaners and alternatives.

Although New Hampshire's Mercury Auto Switch bill died in Committee, the Auto & Truck Recyclers Association of New Hampshire (ATRA) and Department of Environmental Services organized a voluntary program to remove and recycle mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles before they are shredded and smelted. Under this program, ATRA members were provided with properly labeled plastic buckets, and, as they disassemble vehicles, they remove the mercury switches and store them in the buckets. Within a year, the auto recycler brings the bucket to one of eight stations throughout the state where the switches are consolidated and shipped to an approved mercury recycler.

The cost of the program is shared by its participants. The Auto & Truck Recyclers Association purchased the buckets, the individual auto recyclers provide the labor to remove the switches, and the Department of Environmental Services pays the costs of transportation and recycling. The program unofficially started with the distribution of 1-gallon collection buckets at last summer's Auto Salvage Workshops. Participating salvagers brought their switches to winter ATRA meetings where they were accepted by DES staff. To date, over 60 buckets have been distributed and, within the first six months, over 600 switches have been collected.

In an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality, P2 staff assisted Granite State Clean Cities Coalition (GSCCC) to implement petroleum fuel reduction projects. Recent GSCCC highlights include increasing compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure, with UNH transitioning their light duty fleet to CNG and constructing a CNG fueling station, and projects that promote the use of biodiesel throughout the state. In January of this year, Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort began using a 20 percent biodiesel blend (B20) in their power snow grooming equipment, demonstrating the viability of biodiesel in cold climate conditions. During the past 19 months, the City of Keene and Keene State College displaced over 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel with B20 and B100, and the NH Air National Guard has successfully used B20 in 76 heavy-duty vehicles. The GSCCC is also conducting an anti-idling education and outreach initiative to school bus drivers and heavy-duty fleets to reduce fuel use and harmful diesel exhaust.

NEW YORK

New York State DEC

Environmental Leaders Program

The Final OECA Metrics Grant Report was finalized and sent to EPA Region 2 in January 2004. The results show that the Agency's workshops and compliance manuals were reported as extremely useful by the customers and that they often stimulated them to consider and implement a significant number of environmental management improvement projects.

The Agency tried to compare changes at facilities that underwent the Multimedia Pollution Prevention (M2P2) process versus facilities that did not undergo the M2P2 through the data in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and Biennial Reporting System (BRS). However, there is significant uncertainty as to the magnitude of the M2P2 Program's impact because the Agency was unable to determine the extent to which other oversight programs, e.g., the Clean Air Act, Hazardous Waste Reduction Program, and DEC and EPA enforcement, might also have contributed to these changes.

For more information contact: Dennis Lucia, NYS DEC (518) 402-2553.

New York City DEP

Sustainable Practices to Benefit Bronx Auto Body Shops

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection's (NYC DEP) Bureau of Environmental Compliance, Environmental Economic Development Assistance Unit (EEDAU), has recently been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation's Bronx Initiative for Energy & the Environment (BIEE) for a "VOC & Particulate Reduction Project Through Enhanced Use of High Volume Low Pressure Spray Guns (HVLPs) in Bronx Auto Body Shops." This P2 project will help reduce air emissions (i.e., VOCs and particulates) in the Bronx by providing financial support to eligible auto body shop owners who have taken a mandatory free training class in the optimal use of this environmentally preferred equipment and have applied for a cash rebate to purchase new, brand name HVLP spray guns or equivalent technology. A 100 percent rebate will be provided to those shop owners who turn in their conventional, more polluting, spray guns at the time of purchase of the HVLP equipment.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island DEM

The RI Department of Environmental Management is taking steps to address environmental concerns with the removal of exterior lead paint. In Rhode Island, exterior lead paint removal is regulated by RI DEM, and interior lead paint removal by the Department of Health.

The Rhode Island Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program is in the planning and design stage, with implementation expected in mid-2004. It has been supported by funding from EPA Region 1-NE. As with the ongoing Rhode Island Auto Body Certification Program, it is being designed as a simpler and more useful way to regulate, in a less threatening manner, segments of the painting contractor and remodeler/renovation industries that engage in the removal of exterior lead paint. The Program is designed to improve compliance with environmental regulations, with participating contractors providing certification of compliance with applicable environmental regulations and the federal law outlined below.

In addition to work in ongoing projects and P2 activities, RI DEM staff are also working on planning and designing other certification programs, including certification for operators of facilities with underground storage tanks (this will include both Stage I & Stage II certification) and dry cleaners.

VERMONT

Vermont DEC

VT DEC co-sponsored a statewide environmental conference for hospitals with the state's hospital association in February. The conference focused on regulatory compliance, what to expect in an inspection, pollution prevention, and mercury reduction issues. Vermont hospitals are voluntarily preparing mercury reduction plans, and DEC is hoping to achieve 100 percent participation in the program. In the coming year, DEC will also be providing outreach to physician's offices and clinics on mercury reduction and will also be encouraging these facilities to disseminate patient information about mercury fish consumption advisories.

DEC will be completing a dental amalgam separator pilot project in April. Agency staff is completing field observations on 19 separators (6 different types) and will prepare a report for Vermont dentists that will help guide them on considerations for choosing an amalgam separator. They hope to present the report at the annual meeting of the Vermont State Dental Society in September. There are currently no requirements for installation of separators in Vermont, although there is pending legislation that would authorize the Department to develop best management practices that may include amalgam separator requirements.

DEC has received an EPA grant to conduct outreach that will encourage lamp recycling. A media campaign was conducted in December involving feature stories on local TV stations, press releases, and development of a web site. A larger outreach campaign will be conducted this spring, with a major mailing of information to over 16,000 businesses statewide, newspaper ads, and radio ads.

EPA REGION 1 - NEW ENGLAND

In September 2003, EPA Region 1-NE funded the city of Newton, MA to establish environmental teams in the city's 21 schools, evaluate environmental conditions, and develop environmental management plans for prioritizing and addressing issues in a subset of these schools. In addition, the cooperative agreement provides partial funding for four upcoming workshops entitled "Building Municipal/School Partnerships to Create School Chemical Safety Programs." These trainings will be held in March-April time frame, and will assist municipal health, fire, LEPC, and DPWs working with schools to address chemical management concerns within schools. MA DEP is also providing partial funding for these workshops.

Over the past few months, EPA personnel have conducted phone surveys with school personnel, and those who work with schools, in order to evaluate what incentives could be offered to schools to improve their behavior with respect to environmental responsibilities. The Agency is also analyzing what kinds of barriers exist for schools interested in addressing environmental concerns. The results of these phone surveys will be compiled and discussed at focus groups to be held in Newton, MA and at Dennis Yarmouth High School in April 2004.

Industrial Economics is assisting EPA in the evaluation of EMS implementation in K-12 schools in New England. School systems that were funded by EPA to develop EMS (in the states of Maine and Massachusetts), and those which developed EMS without EPA involvement, are being surveyed in the near future in order to gain insight on what works best (or does not work) for schools implementing EMS. The Agency expects a final report from this effort in June 2004, setting forth suggestions on how EMS can fit into the school environment.

The Greening the Supply Chain is an effort to involve every tier of the manufacturing community in making small manufacturers more competitive while reducing their impact on the environment. Region 1-NE is participating in two Supply Chain projects, the Green Suppliers Network for Aerospace, and Environmental Management Systems training for suppliers. As part of a pilot project for the Green Suppliers Network, EPA funded a value stream mapping workshop for second, third, and fourth tier metal finishers. The workshop, conducted by the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership, involves a five day review of all processes at the facility, looking for opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The EMS training is delivered in the form of a User Group, where suppliers meet once a month to review a different aspect of an EMS, and then go back to their facilities to implement this aspect. At the end of six to eight months, the suppliers have a completed EMS. EMS User Groups have completed this program at New Hampshire Ball Bearings, (9 companies), Pratt & Whitney of East Hartford (6 companies), and Pratt & Whitney of North Berwick, ME (5 companies).

EPA REGION 2

Healthcare Guide to Pollution Prevention Implementation through Environmental Management Systems

Through an EPA grant the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC), with assistance from the EPA Healthcare Environmental Management System Workgroup, is updating the first edition of the "Healthcare Guide to Pollution Prevention Implementation through Environmental Management Systems." This U.S. EPA National guidance document outlines how an Environmental Management System (EMS) can benefit the hospital sector and contains information on compliance; U.S. case studies; pollution prevention education; Environmentally Preferred Purchasing; resource list; and information on U.S. EPA voluntary programs. This second edition of the EMS guide will be available in C.D. format and will be finalized in spring 2004.

NORTHEAST P2 ROUNDTABLE

Guidance on Mercury-added Product Bans

In leveraging the work of The P2Rx™ Regional Centers, the National Network has created the National Programs Directory to create linkages across regions and allow for searching for pollution prevention business assistance and services from a single access point. The information in the National Pollution Prevention Programs Directory is maintained by the P2Rx™ regional centers. Go to www.P2Rx.org and use the programs directory! Give P2Rx™ your comments and feedback on this resource.

Topic Hubs™ are web-based guides to peer-reviewed P2 information and expertise on a particular subject. The Topic Hubs™ are a project of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™). Under this initiative, the Regional P2 Information Centers that make up P2Rx™ have published 49 Topic Hubs™ to-date (see the list of Topic Hubs™ below).