ELECTRONIC WASTE PILE-UP THREATENS ENVIRONMENT, POCKETBOOKS
by Sarah Morgan

Unless producers take back their obsolete products, Texas taxpayers will pay at least $600 million for proper electronic waste disposal and recycling over a ten-year period, according to a new report released by Texas Campaign for the Environment on Monday. Furthermore, if the waste is not properly disposed of, the report states that an estimated 5.5 billion pounds of toxins from the electronic waste is headed for Texas landfills and incinerators.

In a society characterized by a chronic better-and-faster syndrome, electronic waste is a common problem. For instance, the old family computer is slow and clunky, but a new laptop is faster, more compact and offers a wider range of possibilities, and, surprisingly, it�s reasonably priced. When a new electronic device is purchased, the old one is hidden away in a closet, stuffed in the garage, or it is thrown out with the trash. The report shows that this excess waste is piling up across the nation.

The report, "Poison TVs and Toxic PCs," focuses on the disposal of personal computers and televisions, but states that electronic waste, or e-waste, can include cell phones, videocassette recorders, handheld personal devices, and stereos.

"U.S. purchasers brought home more that 45 million new computer systems in 2002. Currently over 50 percent of U.S. households own computers," the report states. "Consumers have, on average, 2 to 3 obsolete computers in their garages, closets or storage spaces. U.S. government researchers estimated that three-quarters of all computers ever sold in the United States remain stockpiled, awaiting disposal."

The main problem comes when it is time to dispose of the electronics. The cathode ray tubes in computer monitors, television sets and other video display devices contain lead, and other parts of the machines contain mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals that, if disposed of improperly, can contaminate ground water or lead to dangerous levels of exposure. Each computer or television display contains an average of four to eight pounds of lead, according to the report, which "can cause damage to the central nervous system and blood system and is demonstrated to have serious negative effects on the brain development of children."

The report calls for an implementation of a comprehensive recycling plan for the e-waste, explaining that the metals and other materials in e-waste are valuable items on the recycling market.

However, with the high cost of recycling, an estimated $10 to $60 per unit, a system would require "internalizing the cost of proper waste management into the price of electronic devices at the time of purchase," the study says.

Also, the report cites studies that claim 50 to 80 percent of American e-waste that is turned in to be recycled is actually shipped to China and other Asian nations where it is "dismantled under horrific conditions, contaminating the land, air, and water."

Sixty countries have chosen to participate in the Basel Convention of 1998 that prohibits such practices, banning the export of hazardous waste to certain countries that do not have the resources to deal with such waste in safe and proper ways, the report says. The United States has yet to ratify or participate in this ban.

Some manufacturers, including Dell and Hewlett Packard, are beginning to publicly support producer take-back policies. They are starting to take back their own units from consumers and support legislation to require such policies. Two months ago, the study reports that Maine became the first state in the nation to require producers of monitors, laptops, and TVs to take back their obsolete products.

For more information or to read the complete report,
visit: http://www.texasenvironment.org/e-waste/poison_pcs_texas1.htm

EPA PUSHES ENERGY STAR AS U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDERGOES ENERGY REFORM
by Sarah Morgan

Homes are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the average car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is urging the public to follow a "five-step Energy Star" program at the same time that the U.S. government is undergoing an energy policy overhaul.

The EPA campaign will include public service announcements by radio, television, and in print that will "emphasize specific actions consumers can make in their homes to use energy efficiently," according to an EPA press release distributed on Wednesday.

But, with House Republicans hoping to approve legislation to boost U.S. oil and natural gas supplies and provide tax breaks worth billions of dollars to energy, the EPA�s Energy Star push may not do enough.

The Energy Star label was introduced with great optimism in 1992 as a market-based partnership aimed at reducing air pollution by giving consumers energy-efficient choices. Since then, the label�s popularity has wavered in and out of the national spotlight, gaining prominence as energy prices rise, and fading away again when prices are low. This public service campaign is pushing Energy Star back up on the list as an easy way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

The program suggests replacing regular light bulbs, air conditioning systems, and appliances with those that carry the Energy Star label. In 2001, the EPA said that if everyone in the United States used Energy Star standards over the next decade, the national energy bill would be reduced by about $200 billion over the next decade.

Though every little bit helps, Energy Star�s dent may be imperceptible among the rush of new legislation. The House is scheduled to vote Tuesday and Wednesday on bills that, according to Reuters news service, would "cut the number of required gasoline blends to fight pollution, ease permit approvals for building new oil refineries, reduce federal regulations on renewable energy projects and allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."

MOTHERS FOR CLEAN AIR RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FROM EPA

Mothers for Clean Air, a non-profit organization concerned with air pollution in the Houston-Galveston area and its effects on communities and children's health, recently received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grant money will fund the project Improving Environmental Quality through Cooperation, which will begin this summer and will continue for up to three years. The project will address environmental issues and public health and concentrate on understanding a Southeast Houston community's perception of environmental health risks. Residents are encouraged to engage in working together with policy makers to change their environment. In Houston, Jane Laping, Executive Director of Mothers for Clean Air said, "This grant will allow us to work with the affected community, enhance their skills, and put them in direct contact with the people who can make a difference." The Southeast Houston project will include several organizations that include local governments, universities, citizen organizations, elected officials and industries working together to educate residents on how to prevent air pollution and reduce exposure. For more information about Mothers for Clean Air, contact Executive Director Jane Laping at (713) 526-0110, or visit: http://www.mothersforcleanair.org

BIRD TOURS AT HERMANN PARK

Friends of Hermann Park is dedicated to preserving and transforming Hermann Park into one Houston's premier urban parks. As part of that effort, Friends of Hermann Park has begun to hold bird tours in the park on the third Sunday of each month from 9:00-10:30am. "The park is an inner city haven for approximately 100 species of birds and waterfowl, with different species visiting the park at different times of year," states the Hermann Park Web site. All birders should meet the FHP tour leader at the south end of the McGovern Lake boardwalk just adjacent to the zoo plaza. For more information, contact (713) 524-5876 or visit: http://www.hermannpark.org/

TEXAS FOREST SERVICE 2004 URBAN FORESTRY PARTNERSHIP GRANT

The Texas Forest Service, the agency responsible for protecting and enhancing the state�s forest resources, offers financial assistance in the form of challenge grants. The Partnership Grants are designed to start or improve a local urban forestry program or to educate the public about the importance of urban trees. Grant awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 and must be matched dollar-for-dollar (except for the application for a new professional staff position, for up to $30,000). Applicants may include any local or state government entity, schools, or nonprofit groups. Application deadline is July 15, 2004. To apply, e-mail the program secretary at lscasta@tfs.tamu.edu, or visit: http://www.texasforestservice.tamu.edu
Go to the Urban Forestry page and click the link for grants.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OFFERING LAND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The Harris County Flood Control District and the National Park Service�s Rivers, Trails, and Conservative Assistance Program have partnered to develop a strategic plan for multiple public uses of 30,000 acres of land in Harris County. To date, HCFCD has entered into over 150 multi-use partnership agreements to provide recreational, educational, and conservation uses of floodplains and detention basins. Now the program has expanded to allow partnerships with nonprofit organizations, water and utility districts, and governmental partners. If your group is interested in discussing partnership opportunities with HCFCD for the recreational and conservation use of this land, please contact them at (512) 916-5161, or email david@cechouston.org for a copy of the application. Application deadline is July 1, 2004.

CONSUMER GUIDE DETAILS ILLS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMON PRODUCTS

A free online consumer guide published in March by the Worldwatch Institute describes the environmental, social, and health harms associated with a wide range of products, including appliances, baby products, DVDs, clothing, cell phones, and food. The guide takes a behind the scenes look at how products are made, and offers simple advice and alternatives that enable people to reduce some of the ills associated with the things they buy.
For each product, the guide also describes successful efforts by governments, businesses, and nonprofit groups around the world to reduce negative impacts associated with common products.
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff

NEW REPORT IN PARKS FOR PEOPLE SERIES

The Trust For Public Land’s Parks for People initiative works in cities across America to ensure that everyone--in particular every child--enjoys access to a park, playground, or open space. A new Parks for People report by Peter Harnik, director of TPL's Center for City Park Excellence, highlights the need for parks in Newark, New Jersey. The report's release follows by several months the publication of TPL's Parks for People white paper, which makes the case for new city parks nationwide. Upcoming Parks for People publications will focus on other US cities.
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13843&folder_id=175

A HANDBOOK FOR ACTIVISTS

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Wilderness Forever has created a handy-dandy guide to taking action. Learn how to draft your own action letters, organize enjoyable activism events, and get in touch with local media.
To obtain your own tree-free version of the guide:
http://www.wildernessforever.org/action/index.html
Learn more about the Wilderness Act:
http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/Wilderness/act.cfm

SEASIDE CLUB BECKONS TO TEXAS TEACHERS

Texas A&M University's Marine Advisory Service (MAS) will be hosting two development workshops for Texas educators on the environment, and natural resources in Texas and the Gulf Coast. Participates who are teachers, science curriculum specialists, or department heads working in public and private schools are encouraged to register. Training sessions for elementary school educators are June 28-30; training for secondary school educators will take place July 7-9. For more information or to enroll, contact (979) 863-2940 or email lbeach@neo.tamu.edu.

EPA SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

The EPA Summer Opportunities for Students website is now up and running. The site provides a web portal through which students may enter to learn about EPA programs, offices, and summer employment opportunities. They also will be able to submit a job application directly to the EPA location where there is a vacancy.
http://www.epa.gov/ohros/student