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After years of lawsuits and legislative battles, the Northern Plains Resource Council (north of Yellowstone Park) took matters into its own hands and negotiated a legally binding “Good Neighbor Agreement” with the Denver-based Stillwater Mining Co. This first-of-its-kind agreement includes standards that go beyond those required by law and are legally binding for the life of the mining operation (which could be decades), regardless of who owns the company. Top management and an 11-person community team hammered out an agreement that calls for zero wastewater discharge and measures that will greatly reduce the need for waste dumps. Two such dumps are under construction, each the size of 90 football fields. SMC also agreed to fund independent environmental audits (and implement their recommendations), and put thousands of acres of land into conservation easements. Citizens’ groups will have access to company environmental information, and the right to inspect operations with independent consultants. SMC CEO Bill Nettles calls it a “win-win” for all parties. “We have set the stage for a long-term, positive relationship in which we can openly communicate to resolve any future issues.” Issues will be dealt with through meetings between management and a “Citizens Oversight Committee.” Ted Lange, Northern Plains […]
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As part of the effort to make September’s Olympics environmentally responsible, the Sydney Olympic Committee is contracting with Biocorp, Inc. to supply the eating utensils. The California company manufactures biodegradable, compostable plastic food service utensils and trash bags. Biocorp will supply over 45 million spoons, forks, knives, coated cups, cup lids, straws, and plates. After they are used they will be put in their starch-based trash bags (along with food scraps) and composted, resulting in 70 percent less landfill waste. Biocorps products cost 2-3 times more in first costs than non-biodegradable alternatives, but overall waste disposal savings counterbalance the initial cost. Biocorp combines cornstarch and other biodegradable materials to produce compostable plastic. The food utensils are made from cornstarch and cellulose from cottonseed. The trash bags are 65 percent cornstarch, 10 percent other natural substances, and 25 percent polycaprolactone, a completely biodegradable petrochemical. [sorry this link is no longer available]
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Keep America Beautiful Inc. presented Ford with the 1998 Vision for America award which honors achievements in recycling and use of recycled-content materials and for innovative reuse of cast-off and scrap materials. Recycling initiatives established by Ford include a “Carpet to Car Parts” project, where recovered carpeting is screened, pelletized, and combined with virgin resin to make engine air cleaner housings for nearly 3 million vehicles annually. The company also uses 50 million recycled soda bottles each year to make grille reinforcements, door padding, and roof liners. Ford cars and trucks made in the U.S. and Europe are, on average, 75 percent recyclable. And Ford recycles its own tires, using them to manufacture ergonomic floor mats. FROM Waste Age’s Recycling Times
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How environmentally conscious are the nation’s top 50 business schools? Almost nine in 10 have one elective course in environmental management – but only 16 percent have integrated the topic into core requirements. Only 21 percent offer a degree in environmental management (as a dual degree with natural resources or forestry). Those are the findings of a study by the Management Institute for Environment and Business (MEB), a program of the World Resources Institute. The study ranked eight schools as offering the best environmental focus: George Washington University New York University (Stern) Northwestern University (Kellogg) University of Michigan University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) University of Tennessee/Knoxville University of Virginia (Darden) University of Washington To order the report, Grey Pinstripes With Green Ties: [sorry this link is no longer available] To see the survey results: [sorry this link is no longer available] FROM Business Ethics
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Honda Motor Co. will be offering the Civic model, the best selling small car in the U.S., as a hybrid-electric. It will first be sold overseas and is expected to enter the U.S. market in model year 2002 or 2003. All Honda four-cylinder gasoline engines worldwide will meet California’s super-ultra-low-emission (SULEV) vehicle standard worldwide by 2005. Beginning in the 2002 model year, General Motors will build full-size sport utility vehicles with the E85 engine, giving it flexible fuel capability. All Chevrolet Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons and Yukon XL’s will be able to run on varying blends of ethanol and gasoline – from 100 percent gasoline to 85 percent ethanol. The Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma – small pickups – went into production with flexible fuel capacity in late 1999. By the end of the 2004 model year, GM will have produced over one million trucks with flex-fuel capability. On the fuel cell front, General Motors made an announcement in May that it is partnering with Giner Inc., a fuel cell technology research firm to facilitate commercial introduction of GM’s fuel cells. DaimlerChrysler promises that 20-30 fuel cell buses will be on the road by 2002, followed by passenger cars in 2004. […]
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Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister, appointed Jonathon Porritt, one of the country’s best known environmentalists, to chair the new Sustainable Development Commission. The Commission will be charged with integrating sustainable development throughout the economy. Porritt was formerly director of the UK Friends of the Earth and co-chair of the Green Party, and most recently founded Forum for the Future, a respected sustainable business NGO. His first order of business in his new role will be to appoint 15 commissioners who reflect the range of stakeholder interests throughout the country.
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Interface Inc. is introducing a carpet tile made from poly lactic acid (PLA), a renewable resource derived from corn. John Wells, president of Interface Americas, predicts that plant-derived products could make up as much as 10 percent of Interface’s business over the next three years. Interface, Inc., has exclusive rights to develop floorcovering products with PLA, which has been developed through a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Cargill at their new plant in Nebraska. The new floorcovering products will available to customers fourth quarter 2000.
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In May, Gov. George Pataki made history when he signed New York State’s Green Building Tax Credit – the first in the nation – into law. It provides $25 million in credits over the next five years to encourage owners and tenants of commercial and residential buildings to incorporate environmental features into buildings. The credits are intended to offset some of the additional upfront costs associated with high performance buildings. Buildings that meet the program’s minimum requirements will be 35 percent more energy efficient than required by state energy code; renovated buildings will be 25 percent more efficient. Qualifying buildings will meet standards on indoor air quality, waste disposal, energy and water use, and will be eligible for additional credits for incorporating renewable energy. For detailed information, contact Wayne Tusa, chair of Green Building Tax Credit task force of Environmental Business Association of NY State.
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In an amazing action, Peru’s President, Alberto Fujimori, deployed the military to stop unauthorized logging by a U.S. company in the Amazon and ordered that 15.6 million acres be protected. He declared an “environmental state of emergency.” Newman Lumber Company of Mississippi was caught taking mahogany valued between $37-$40 million. Quoted in an article by the Associated Press, Fujimori said, “The exploitation of resources will take place under certain conditions. That is to say, in a sustainable manner, which means that with time the resources will be renovated and our forests will not be depleted.” The president of the lumber company countered that his company won a ruling from Peru’s Supreme Court to begin logging after the government shut down the operation nine months ago.
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Late last month, the U.S. EPA launched the National Environmental Performance Track program which rewards businesses for beyond-compliance environmental performance. The program rewards top performers – companies with a proven record of regulatory compliance, an operational Environmental Management System, and a demonstrated commitment to continued improvement and outreach to stakeholders. Participating companies will benefit through regulatory and administrative flexibility, a reduction in record keeping and reporting requirements, and national recognition. The EPA is accepting applications for charter applicants through September 30. track@indecon.com http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack
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