2Sustain

In an effort to provide all of us with fundamental information about our communities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) earlier this month. This analysis provides information on nationwide toxic chemical disposals and other releases into the air, water and land, as well as data on waste management and pollution prevention activities n neighborhoods across the country.

TRI data is submitted annually to EPA and states by multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste facilities. Facilities must report their toxic chemical releases to EPA under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by July 1st of each year. In addition, the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.

EPA’s analysis for the latest reporting year, 2010, concluded that disposals are higher than the previous two years, but lower than 2007 and prior year totals.

The 2010 TRI data showed that since 2009 there has been: (more…)

I just had the pleasure of participating on a conference call with Tim Cummins of the IACCM (International Association for Contract & Commercial Management ).  Tim is one of the most knowledgeable, thoughtful and articulate guys out there when it comes to the myriad of issues facing 21st century supply management and contracting professionals. Tim and I spoke at length about the complex new world of supply chain management in the face of globalization, increased regulation, distributed supply chains, and the resulting new risk factors that must be managed by 21st century executives. In particular we focused in on the reputational risks companies face if they get it wrong – as well as the benefits if they get it right.

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