Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Product (PPCP) Wastes & Impacts: GLRPPR Sector Resources

Resource: Final Report of the Governor's Task Force on Waste Materials Recovery and Disposal

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:28:16 GMT

Waste is a fact of life. Materials that are not fully consumed or reclaimed are generally discarded. As a result, our natural resources are strained in at least two significant respects. First, resources used to produce goods and services are not being consumed efficiently. Second, natural resources are impacted by the management of waste, whether by composting, recycling, incineration, or landfilling. Landfills are developed, for example, and the corresponding use of land is permanently altered. Air emissions occur as waste is composted, incinerated or left to decompose in a landfill. Local water resources might be affected. The more waste, the greater the impact, and these impacts can last over long periods of time to the detriment of future generations both environmentally and economically. If waste generation can be minimized -- or even prevented -- we can reduce the strain on natural resources. Indeed, the prudent use and preservation of natural resources are the hallmarks of environmental stewardship. While we recognize that waste is a current fact of life, or at least life as we have come to know it, there may come a point in time when the amount of waste generated, or the rate of waste disposal itself, is simply too great to be supported by society over the long haul from an economic and environmental perspective. After all, the current model, to the extent it involves the consumption of natural resources to make products that are used and discarded, does not mimic natural systems where waste is recycled and its components are reused in future cycles of production again and again.

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News: Canadian Region Considers Landfill Ban

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:22:50 GMT

The board of the Capital Regional District (CRD), Victoria, British Columbia, Canada has sent out a letter asking for feedback on a landfill ban for scrap wood and a wide number of materials covered by existing product stewardship laws. The proposed ban would take effect in 2010 at the CRD's Harland landfill. "The proposed wood waste ban would include all clean and treated wood from construction and demolition activities," says a letter from CRD Acting Senior Manager of Solid Waste John Craveiro. "The ban on product stewardship materials would affect all materials covered under the British Columbia Recycling Regulation, including: beverage containers, paint, solvents and flammable liquids, used gasoline, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, tires, lead acid batteries, used lubricating oil, filters and containers, and electronic products such as computers and televisions."

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News: IL: Carle allows residents to dispose medications

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:48:55 GMT

The medication and needle disposal program began Saturday at Urbana's Market at the Square, with 400 needle boxes available for distribution.

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News: Pharmaceutical Disposal Guide Intended to Reduce Water Contamination

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:34:06 GMT

The AVMA is providing veterinarians with drug disposal guidelines to reduce water contamination and the potential for federal regulation. The Executive Board approved July 8 the policy "Best Management Practices for Pharmaceutical Disposal," which was drafted in response to an August 2008 proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to survey human and veterinary health care facilities on disposal of unused pharmaceuticals. Officials from the agency indicated at that time that such a survey could be a prelude to increased oversight.

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News: IL: Governor Quinn Signs Bills to Improve the Environment

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:17:25 GMT

Governor Pat Quinn signed several key environmental bills, including one that will prohibit health care institutions from flushing unused medications into public wastewater. Other legislation signed into law by Governor Quinn will track water usage by high capacity wells throughout Illinois.

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Resource: Practice Greenhealth

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:11:09 GMT

Practice Greenhealth is the nation's leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment.

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News: Antibiotics, Antimicrobials And Antifungals In Waterways

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:39:27 GMT

Antibiotics, antimicrobials and antifungals are seeping into the waterways of North America, Europe and East Asia, according to an investigation published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP). Authored by Universit� de Montr�al and Environment Canada researchers, the review found that consumption of anti-infectives for human and agriculture use contributes to their release into the environment and even into drinking water.

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News: Pharmaceuticals Outscore Other Sectors in New Climate Scorecard

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:32:39 GMT

The pharmaceutical industry has emerged as a leader in measuring and reporting its carbon footprint compared to other sectors, according to the latest Climate Counts Scorecard released today.

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News: Survey: Experts View Toxicity Risks Differently

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:54:04 GMT

From baby bottles to shower curtains, iPods to lipstick, and "new car smell" to non-stick frying pans, thousands of news stories have warned the American public about the hidden dangers of toxic chemicals in everyday items. But a new survey of scientists specializing in toxicology calls into question the risks associated with many of these chemicals as they are routinely depicted in the media. Majorities of toxicologists rate most government agencies as accurately portraying chemical risks, but they rate leading environmental activist groups as overstating risks, according to the survey by George Mason University researchers.

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News: NPPR Accepting MVP2 Award Nominations

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:17:47 GMT

The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) is now accepting nomination applications for the 2009 MVP2 Awards! The applications are due Wednesday July 1, 2009. The MVP2 Awards are awarded in four categories: MVP2 Project/Program Awards, Best P2 Publication Awards, P2 Champion, and P2 Volunteer of the Year Award. Winners will be notified in August 2009. The awards will be presented during P2 week in September.

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