Although waste production is on the rise in America compared to the past, increased recycling is curbing the trash that ends up in landfills, according to a new Environmental Protection Agency report covering 2010 municipal solid waste production.
The newest version of the report was released on November 15, and it provides facts and figures of the United State's waste production and recycling in 2010. The same report has been released every few years for the last 30, providing data regarding disposal trends throughout the country.
As outlined in the report, Americans created 249.9 million tons of waste in 2010. That's
Keystone XL Debate
by Heather Duchan November 11th, 2011 | Environmental News
An estimated 10,000 demonstrators from around the country gathered outside the White House on Sunday, November 6, 2011 to show opposition to a proposed TransCanada crude oil pipeline. The pipeline is currently under consideration for approval by the State Department.
Currently, the oil company TransCanada, has a pipeline running through the Midwest to Steel City, Nebraska where it splits into two lines. One goes to Patoka, Illinois and the other to Cushing, Oklahoma. Keystone XL would extend these pipelines further, with a second branch from Canada through western Nebraska along with an extension from Cushing to the Gulf Coast.
The purpose
Currently, the oil company TransCanada, has a pipeline running through the Midwest to Steel City, Nebraska where it splits into two lines. One goes to Patoka, Illinois and the other to Cushing, Oklahoma. Keystone XL would extend these pipelines further, with a second branch from Canada through western Nebraska along with an extension from Cushing to the Gulf Coast.
The purpose
Recycling in Space
by Heather Duchan October 28th, 2011 | Environmental News
22,000 miles from Earth lies a space landfill of hundreds of obsolete satellites. The United States Department of Defense is planning to turn these old pieces of equipment into new space systems through a new recycling initiative they have dubbed the Phoenix program.
The new program, launched by the military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is expected to obtain antennas and other viable parts from dead satellites that are orbiting the Earth. DARPA is envisioning this process happening by using a robot-like vehicle in space. The used antennas and other parts will then be attached to nanosatellites that are launched from
The new program, launched by the military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is expected to obtain antennas and other viable parts from dead satellites that are orbiting the Earth. DARPA is envisioning this process happening by using a robot-like vehicle in space. The used antennas and other parts will then be attached to nanosatellites that are launched from
EPA Awards Supermarkets
by Heather Duchan October 21st, 2011 | Environmental News
Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market were among several winners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership 2011 Environmental Achievement Awards this year. GreenChill is a federal program that works with supermarkets to help them meet best environmental practices regarding refrigerants. 7,300 supermarket stores, which makes up about 20% of all supermarkets across the country, currently participate in this federal program.
The Greenchill Partnership Program, which has been recognized by Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government as one of the most Innovative Government Programs in 2010, is making strides to improve environmental best practices within the supermarket industry. Since
The Greenchill Partnership Program, which has been recognized by Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government as one of the most Innovative Government Programs in 2010, is making strides to improve environmental best practices within the supermarket industry. Since
House Bill Favors Cement Industry
by Heather Duchan October 14th, 2011 | Environmental News
The house passed H. R. 2681, dubbed the "Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011," on October 6, 2011, with a vote of 261-161. The legislation, introduced by Oklahoma Republican, John Sullivan, and Arkansas Democrat, Mike Ross, exempts the Portland cement manufacturing industry (and Portland cement plants across the country) from regulations in the Clean Air Act.
These Clean Air Act standards were put into place to reduce toxic emissions and to save lives. The production of cement releases a wide range of toxic substances into the air, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and chromium. Many of these toxins cause respiratory
These Clean Air Act standards were put into place to reduce toxic emissions and to save lives. The production of cement releases a wide range of toxic substances into the air, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and chromium. Many of these toxins cause respiratory
