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What It Means to Be Green: . . Opportunities for Chemical Manufacturers and Responsible Consumers

Cleaning for a Healthy Indoor Environment for Children SIMMONS College Linda K. Paresky Conference Center Boston, MA October 24-25, 2005.

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What It Means to Be Green: . . Opportunities for Chemical Manufacturers and Responsible Consumers

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  1. Cleaning for a Healthy Indoor Environment for Children SIMMONS College Linda K. Paresky Conference Center Boston, MA October 24-25, 2005 What It Means to Be Green:..Opportunities for ChemicalManufacturers and Responsible Consumers Carole LeBlanc, Ph.D. Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) University of Massachusetts Lowell

  2. Presentation Overview • Introduction to Massachusetts’ Principles of Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) and Alternatives Assessment Laboratory • Role of Laboratory in Environmental Labeling Initiatives • Remaining Issues and Conclusions

  3. The View from Massachusetts • The MassachusettsToxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989 defined Toxics Use Reduction as the “in-plant changes in production, processes or raw materials that reduce, avoid or eliminate the use of toxic or hazardous substances or generation of hazardous byproducts... so as to reduce overall risks to the health of workers, consumers or the environment without shifting risks between workers, consumers or parts of the environment.”

  4. Overall TURA Goals • To establish a statewide goal of reducing toxic waste generated by 50% by 1997 • To establish toxics use reduction as the preferred means for achieving regulatory compliance • To sustain, safeguard and promote the competitive advantage of Massachusetts businesses • To promote reductions in the production and use of toxic and hazardous substances in the Commonwealth • To enhance and strengthen the enforcement of existing environmental laws • To promote coordination and cooperation between agencies

  5. TUR Techniques • Input Substitution • Product Reformulation • Production Unit Redesign / Modification • Production Unit Modernization • Improved Operations and Maintenance • Recycling Integral to the Process

  6. TURI’s Goals • To provide technical support to promote reduction in the use of toxic chemicals or the generation of toxic byproducts in the state's industry and commerce • To organize education and training programs • To sponsor and conduct research

  7. Why a ‘Surface’ Lab in Massachusetts? • Many of U.S. EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals are used, not manufactured, in this state • Transportation issues are therefore very important • Some of these toxics are known for their solvency, that is, their ability to dissolve dirt (i.e., clean surfaces)

  8. Top Five TRI Chemicals in 1994 • Toluene • Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Solvency • Trichloroethylene (TCE)Related • Dichloromethane • Methanol Approximately six million pounds for total ...air/water/land releases in Massachusetts

  9. TURI’s Laboratory Mission • Formerly known as the Surface Cleaning Lab, TURI’s research laboratory seeks to identify, test, develop and promote safer and greener alternatives to hazardous materials and processes used in industry such as surface cleaning, coating, treatment and analysis.

  10. Organo/chlorinated Solvents* * SSL Replacement Studies 1994-1999

  11. Studies by Industry (1994-1999) Jason Marshall

  12. Measuring Cleanliness

  13. The World View • Best Known National Environmental Label • Green Seal of Washington, DC www.greenseal.org • Examples of Other Programs • Canada’s Environmental Choice • Nordic Swan • Swedish Environmental Programme • Involved with Detergents • Green Label Initiatives Not New • Blue Angel (Germany, 1977)

  14. The EU’s Eco-label • Voluntary Scheme Designed to • Encourage Businesses to Market Products and Services That Are Kinder to the Environment • Help European Consumers Both Private and Public to Identify Those Products • Program Is Part of a • Broader Strategic Goal of Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production • Wider Approach on Integrated Product Policy (IPP)

  15. The EU’s Eco-label (Cont.) • Ecological Criteria Set Forth in the Official Journal of the European Communities by Commission • Signed in Brussels in 2001 • Commissioner Margot Wallstrom (Visited UMass Lowell in April 2004)

  16. Mission Statement from EUEB* • “To Be Recognized as Europe’s Premier Award for Products and Services Which Are a Genuinely Better Choice for the Environment” • “To Help Manufacturers, Retailers and Service Providers to Get Recognition for Good Standards, and Purchasers to Make Reliable Choices” • Not Meant As a Barrier to Trade *European Union Eco-labeling Board

  17. Important ‘Flower’ Facts • Diverse Range of 21 Product Groups Included • Textiles, Paints, Washing Machines • Expanding into Tourist Accommodations • Nearly 200 Licenses Issued to Date

  18. The ‘Flower’: A Powerful Tool • Covers 25 Member States of the European Union (EU) • Also Found on Products in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland • Potential Market to More Than 375 Million Consumers

  19. What the Eco-label Award Means • Official Recognition for a Product’s • High Level of Biodegradability • Minimal Impact on Aquatic Life • Satisfactory Cleaning Performance

  20. The EU Labeling Process • In Addition to Meeting Environmental (‘Cradle to Grave’, Includes Packaging) and Quality Requirements, Applicants Must • Sign a Contract for the Use of the Label with a Competent Body* • Pay a Filing Fee (Renewable) • *Each member state of the EU has a Designated Competent Body Which Is Responsible for the Application Process

  21. Role of TURI’s Laboratory • As Designated Test Center: • Demonstrated Competencies in Test Methods and Standards Such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) • Was Responsible for Presenting the Technical Data of the Product in Light of EU Ecological Criteria • Prepared Extensive Portfolio or Dossier

  22. Important Issues Not Discussed • European Detergents Ingredients Database (DID) • Local, State and National Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Programs Please refer to handouts • U.S. Biobased Mandate (FB4P) for the Use of Non-Petroleum Based Products by Federal Agencies

  23. Conclusions • Similarities and Differences of Green Programs Throughout the World • As Industrial Degreasers Became Greener, Janitorial Applications Overlapped • Scientific Organizations’ Role Should Remain Robust in Third-Party Certification Processes

  24. For More Information • Dr. Carole LeBlanc Laboratory Director Toxics Use Reduction Institute University of Massachusetts Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854-2866 978-934-3249 Carole_LeBlanc@uml.edu THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

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