Archive for the ‘Environment’ Category »
When it comes to practicing innumerable and varied environmental measures, Jacksonville, Florida based Winn-Dixie supermarkets are definitely out in the forefront. Many of their innovative measures fall into the “Why didn’t I think of that?” category.
For instance, equipment and parts for routine maintenance of stores and offices are ordered uncrated or unpacked whenever possible, and reused if appropriate, providing the used parts do not affect operational efficiency. Other measures are definitely on the cutting edge; for instance, the company was a leader in introducing stay-on tabs for company produced Chek beverage cans in 1976, thereby removing aluminum ring pulls from the waste stream. In 1991, they introduced photodegradable, “Easy Open Tear Tab” carriers for their Chek beverages to replace the plastic ring holders that are not biodegradable and often pose a hazard to wildlife.
Investigating Your Water Quality
With all of these possible sources of contamination and with the limited regulations and enforcement, an investigation of the quality of water in your community and in your home is a good idea. Testing for Toxics, a 1986 publication of the United States Public Interest Research Group (see Resources section), recommends studying the records of your monitoring agency for past and present compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act standards and testing water samples yourself for contaminants which are either never or infrequently monitored under federal standards.
Follow these guidelines to conduct your own drinking water investigation:
Free testing of your tap water may be provided by your state or local health department, particularly if you have specific cause for concern. However, these agencies will often test only for bacterial contaminants, not toxic substances.
If you cannot get free or thorough testing, the agencies should be able to provide you with a list of certified water testing labs in your area. Private tests vary in price depending on the laboratory used and on the number of substances the analysis covers. At one commercial lab prices range from $15 for a lead test to $175 for a thorough testing for 59 contaminants.
Remember that test results from a certified lab that find contaminants exceeding the limits of the federal drinking water standards may mean the federal law is being violated.
If you find that your tap water is contaminated above allowable federal levels, contact your local water supplier, who is responsible for maintaining water quality at the federal standards, and your local and state health departments, who are responsible for enforcing the standards. Request that they comply with the law.
If your tap water is contaminated by substances that do not yet have standards, contact your state health department to find out if there is a health danger and if you should stop drinking your water. Your water tester should be able to provide information about any contaminants found.
Send copies of all correspondence with your water supplier and health department to your local and state government officials, and your Senators and Representatives in Congress.
Know your rights under the Safe Drinking Water Act…. and be persistent in exercising them.
Printing press set up sheets, copying paper and printing paper are just some of the types of wastepaper generated at Speedy Print, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee. Carole and Chet Newman, owners of this print shop, find themselves putting sizable quantities of this waste in a separate bin to be hauled away by a recycler.
Other recycling efforts include actively promoting the use of recycled paper at their small press print shop. They are happy to report that the customer demand is strong and recycled paper is successfully competing against paper manufactured from virgin wood pulp.The shop also takes aluminum cans, glass and newspaper to neighborhood recycling bins twice a week. Funds earned from this form of recycling go to the Lake View Elementary School. As Carole Newman says; “Although our business doesn’t make any money off recycling, it makes us feel good about ourselves. It’s the same kind of feeling you get when you leave a blood bank.”
What’s in it for Speedy Print, Inc.?
Extra money for a local school, community goodwill and a great feeling.