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…)

Last week, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the Nissan Green Program 2016 (NGP 2016), a new six-year environmental plan that will help the company reduce its carbon footprint, shift to renewable energy and increase the diversity of resources it uses.

By the end of fiscal year 2016, the company wants to be a leader in: (more…)

Last week, Supervalu announced that it will transition 40 more stores to zero waste operations during the company’s current fiscal year, which ends on February 29, 2012.

Supervalu, which is among the country’s largest grocery chains, operates about 4300 stores, with approximately 140,000 employees and annual sales of some $38 billion. The company gained recognition last November when it became the first retailer to achieve zero waste classification at two of its Albertsons grocery stores. The success of the pilot zero waste program at the two stores in Santa Barbara, CA, convinced management to expand the initiative this year.

To achieve zero waste recognition, stores must divert at least 90 percent of all waste from landfills — a feat accomplished through increased associate engagement, as well as through adoption of these specific initiatives: (more…)

Last week, Kohl’s Department Stores released its first annual corporate sustainability report.

The report, available at www.kohlsgreenscene.com, includes updates on the company’s primary environmental strategies: (more…)

Walmart is one step closer to reaching its global goal of creating zero waste.

The company reported last week that a pilot waste management program has eliminated more than 80 percent of the waste that would otherwise go to landfills from its operations in California.

Once implemented across Walmart’s 4,400 stores, Sam’s Club locations and distribution centers in the US, this program would help the company prevent more than 11.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This is equal to taking more than 2 million cars off the road for a year.

The Walmart zero waste program has three main components: (more…)