ALPHARETTA, GA.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Refinishing Touch, a world renowned specialist in environmentally safe and sustainable on-site furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications, has launched a government-approved television recycling program that will reduce the amount of electronic waste created by its customer organizations during furniture remodeling projects.
The Refinishing Touch has experience gained from working with some of the largest organizations in the country, from hotel chains such as Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Wyndham and Starwood to government organizations such as The White House, US Congress, Department of Defense, US Military, and the US Coastguard.
In recent years, several hotel chains have commissioned The Refinishing Touch for large-scale modification of armoires in order to accommodate modern flat screen televisions, the inspiration for this new initiative.
The Refinishing Touch's new program will recycle older television sets that are replaced during such renovation projects. A 2007 study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that over three million tons of electronic waste are generated in the US each year1, with 86.4% ending up in landfills and only 13.6% being recycled. TVs and computers are especially difficult to recycle, because they contain toxic materials such as brominated flame retardants. Across the United States, electronic waste is a serious and growing problem.
To help combat this problem, The Refinishing Touch will ensure that TVs are recycled in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and EPA industry standards as well as all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. In keeping with its environmentally friendly refinishing practices, it has also applied for a no-landfill certification as a further guarantee that customers' TVs won't end up in the trash.
The new program is already underway at two locations in Virginia for a global hotel chain with hotels in Alexandria, VA and Williamsburg, VA. Combined, the two locations require the modification of over 330 armoires. The Refinishing Touch has removed and recycled all of the existing TVs that were being replaced by flatscreen televisions.
Mario Insenga, CEO of The Refinishing Touch, said, "The Refinishing Touch is committed to help organizations decrease their carbon footprints and utilize environmentally sound practices. We noticed that clients were often throwing their old TVs into the trash just because of the hassle involved with recycling them. But we wanted to add more value and it was a natural extension to start a program to recycle our clients' old TVs as an integral part of our refinishing program so they no longer have to worry about disposing of them. Many states have laws preventing electronic waste from being sent to landfills, so our program helps clients to comply with local legislation as well as observe environmental good practice."
About The Refinishing Touch
Founded in 1977, The Refinishing Touch® is a world leader in providing on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications to private and public organizations. It enables its 20,000 customers across the following markets: government, hotel, hospitality and academia to save up to 80% of their budgets and maintain environmental sustainability.
To date the company has transformed over 1.5 million rooms of furniture worldwide, preventing the equivalent of approximately two million hardwood trees being lost to landfill. Services comprise furniture refinishing, reupholstering, armoire modification and re engineering, granite and fabric selection through the Touch Textiles division. The company has patent pending clean material processes that are odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally safe to enable immediate room re-occupancy.
The Refinishing Touch was awarded the US General Services Administration Evergreen Award for innovative environmentally friendly practices. Long term clients include: The White House, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, US Department of Justice, US Congress, Department of Defense, US Military and Coastguards, Hyatt, Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, IHG and Starwood, plus a number of top universities. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.
www.therefinishingtouch.com
Saturday 16 January 2010
Landfills Turn Trash Into Power And Greenhouse Gas Reductions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing eight landfill methane capture projects for their innovation in generating renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The winners include one of the largest landfill gas (LFG) to liquefied natural gas facilities in the world, located in Livermore, Calif.
"We are proud to recognize Landfill Methane Outreach Program partners who are turning trash into a clean and profitable source of energy," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "These projects, and others like them, are helping us transition into a clean energy economy and make important greenhouse gas reductions."
Methane, a primary component of LFG, is a GHG with more than 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Using LFG provides a significant energy resource, prevents GHG emissions, and reduces odors and other hazards associated with emissions. This year's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) winning projects will avoid the emissions of 546,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, the equivalent of annual GHG emissions from nearly 100,000 passenger vehicles.
Awards were given in three categories: Projects of the Year were given to the University of New Hampshire EcoLineTM Project, Rochester, N.H.; Jefferson City, Missouri Renewable Energy Project, Jefferson City, Mo.; The Altamont Landfill Resource and Recovery Facility, Livermore, Calif.; Ox Mountain LFG Energy Project, Half Moon Bay, Calif.; Sioux Falls Landfill & Poet LFG Pipeline, Sioux Falls, S.D. and the Winder Renewable Methane Project, Winder, Ga. The State Partner of the Year was given to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Community Partner of the Year was awarded to the Kent County Department of Public Works, Byron Center, Mich.
EPA's LMOP has assisted with more than 450 LFG energy projects over the past 15 years. The United States currently has about 509 operational LFG energy projects. The LFG electricity generation projects have a capacity of 1,563 megawatts (MW) and provide the energy equivalent of powering more than 920,000 homes annually.
The direct-use projects provide an additional 304 million standard cubic feet of LFG per day and provide the energy equivalent of heating more than 715,000 homes annually. Direct-use LFG energy projects do not produce electricity, but instead use LFG as an alternative to replace another fuel such as natural gas or coal.
LMOP is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that reduces GHG emissions by supporting LFG energy project development. The program also assists countries throughout the world in developing landfill methane reduction projects through the international Methane to Markets Partnership. For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/lmop
For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/lmop/partners/award/index.html
SOURCE: EPA
"We are proud to recognize Landfill Methane Outreach Program partners who are turning trash into a clean and profitable source of energy," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "These projects, and others like them, are helping us transition into a clean energy economy and make important greenhouse gas reductions."
Methane, a primary component of LFG, is a GHG with more than 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Using LFG provides a significant energy resource, prevents GHG emissions, and reduces odors and other hazards associated with emissions. This year's Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) winning projects will avoid the emissions of 546,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, the equivalent of annual GHG emissions from nearly 100,000 passenger vehicles.
Awards were given in three categories: Projects of the Year were given to the University of New Hampshire EcoLineTM Project, Rochester, N.H.; Jefferson City, Missouri Renewable Energy Project, Jefferson City, Mo.; The Altamont Landfill Resource and Recovery Facility, Livermore, Calif.; Ox Mountain LFG Energy Project, Half Moon Bay, Calif.; Sioux Falls Landfill & Poet LFG Pipeline, Sioux Falls, S.D. and the Winder Renewable Methane Project, Winder, Ga. The State Partner of the Year was given to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Community Partner of the Year was awarded to the Kent County Department of Public Works, Byron Center, Mich.
EPA's LMOP has assisted with more than 450 LFG energy projects over the past 15 years. The United States currently has about 509 operational LFG energy projects. The LFG electricity generation projects have a capacity of 1,563 megawatts (MW) and provide the energy equivalent of powering more than 920,000 homes annually.
The direct-use projects provide an additional 304 million standard cubic feet of LFG per day and provide the energy equivalent of heating more than 715,000 homes annually. Direct-use LFG energy projects do not produce electricity, but instead use LFG as an alternative to replace another fuel such as natural gas or coal.
LMOP is a voluntary assistance and partnership program that reduces GHG emissions by supporting LFG energy project development. The program also assists countries throughout the world in developing landfill methane reduction projects through the international Methane to Markets Partnership. For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/lmop
For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/lmop/partners/award/index.html
SOURCE: EPA
Thursday 14 January 2010
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA BEGINS METAL RECYCLING PROJECT IN KADUNA
Written by NAN Wednesday, 13 January 2010 16:05
The Federal Government is constructing a scrap metal plant worth N232 million in Kaduna State
Dr Oludayo Dada, the Director of Pollution Control in the Federal Ministry of Environment, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that the whole concept of the project was to gather all scrapped metals found in public places and recycle them into useful raw materials.
"The scrap metals will be collected, shredded and sold as raw material. That means we are clearing scrap metals in the city of Kaduna,'' he said.
Dada said that work had commenced on the recycling plant, which had already been fenced with all the equipment needed for the shredding of the scrap metals procured.
He said that the project, which was in its first phase, had been about 80 per cent completed.
Dada said that the project would be completed in three years' time.
The director said that the Federal Government had another ongoing project in Abeokuta, Ogun, which entailed the collection of waste from different cities.
He described the waste collection project as ``waste transfer stations'', adding that two waste collection centres were built to make waste collection easy.
"The waste collection centres are built because the disposal treatment facility is far from the cities and they will function as an intermediary before the final collection.
"The project, which cost N133 million, will help make the state clean and healthy,'' he said.
Dada said that that the project would be handed over to the Ogun State Government to complement their waste management efforts.
"The project will be completed by March and it would be handed over to the state government,'' he said. (NAN)
The Federal Government is constructing a scrap metal plant worth N232 million in Kaduna State
Dr Oludayo Dada, the Director of Pollution Control in the Federal Ministry of Environment, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that the whole concept of the project was to gather all scrapped metals found in public places and recycle them into useful raw materials.
"The scrap metals will be collected, shredded and sold as raw material. That means we are clearing scrap metals in the city of Kaduna,'' he said.
Dada said that work had commenced on the recycling plant, which had already been fenced with all the equipment needed for the shredding of the scrap metals procured.
He said that the project, which was in its first phase, had been about 80 per cent completed.
Dada said that the project would be completed in three years' time.
The director said that the Federal Government had another ongoing project in Abeokuta, Ogun, which entailed the collection of waste from different cities.
He described the waste collection project as ``waste transfer stations'', adding that two waste collection centres were built to make waste collection easy.
"The waste collection centres are built because the disposal treatment facility is far from the cities and they will function as an intermediary before the final collection.
"The project, which cost N133 million, will help make the state clean and healthy,'' he said.
Dada said that that the project would be handed over to the Ogun State Government to complement their waste management efforts.
"The project will be completed by March and it would be handed over to the state government,'' he said. (NAN)
Wednesday 5 August 2009
International Conference on e-Waste Control, Abuja, Nigeria.
Report of International Conference on e-Waste Control, Held in Abuja, Nigeria between
20-21July, 2009 By Charles Ntor
Preamble
The International Conference on e-Waste Control organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) of Nigeria held at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja from 20th-21st, July2009.
The participants was open to all major stakeholders and sector players at both local and international levels, in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as those in public and private sectors whose business activities have direct bearing on e-waste.
Other participants included representatives from difference countries of the world, Intentional Agencies such as United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), WHO, Basel Convention; Development Partners; the Media; NGOs, and Civil Society, among others.
The Conference started with an open ceremony and good will messages from dignities and included the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Omaru Musa Ya’adua, GCFR.
Plenary Session
This session featured paper presentations form noble personalities in the academia and International Agencies. The topics presented include:
· USEPA and e-Waste by Jane Metcalfe, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of International Affairs.
· Citizens’ Participation, Opportunities and partnerships In E-Waste Control, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, Director, Basel Convention Regional, Africa
· Best available environmentally sound management practices in waste control by Babajide I. ALO,
· Hazardous Electronic and public impacts, by WHO.
After the presentations comments and contributions from the participants were satisfactorily responded to.
Working Group
The conference was divided into four working groups to allow professions consider various topics such as Environmental and Health impacts of e-waste; Best available environmentally sound management practices in e- waste control; Regulatory, Monitoring, and Enforcement issues in E-waste control; citizens’ participation and partnership.
Second Plenary Session
Thereafter, another plenary session was held to consider the reports of the various working groups. The reports were presented by group leaders and comments and questions were adequately responded to by the resource persons.
This processes led to production of the communiqué called THE ABUJA PLATFORM ON e-WASTE which was read before over 700 participants of the conference including the media and was adopted by a motion moved by a South African representing the international communities and supported by another international participant and the media.
Follow up activity
The Abuja Platform on e-Waste Control recognizes the roles of the NGOs and Civil Society in educating members of the public in the campaign against e-waste menace.
As follow-up to this recognition, a Nation Coalition of participatory NGOs named NATIOAL COALITION ON ENVIRONMENT AND e-WASTE CONTROL was formed and Centre for Waste Management and Environmental Issues (CEWAMES) is playing a centre role.
The first general meeting of the Coalition was held at Fulani Bar, Niccon Hilton, Abuja to discourse way forwards and to appoint officers that will pilot the affairs of the Coalition.
In conclusion, the coalition agreed to work with relevant agencies, public and private sections, as well as manufacturers of e-waste products and consumers to control the menace of e-waste in Nigeria.
Centre for Waste Management and Environmental Sanitation (CEWAMES)
20-21July, 2009 By Charles Ntor
Preamble
The International Conference on e-Waste Control organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) of Nigeria held at the ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja from 20th-21st, July2009.
The participants was open to all major stakeholders and sector players at both local and international levels, in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as those in public and private sectors whose business activities have direct bearing on e-waste.
Other participants included representatives from difference countries of the world, Intentional Agencies such as United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), WHO, Basel Convention; Development Partners; the Media; NGOs, and Civil Society, among others.
The Conference started with an open ceremony and good will messages from dignities and included the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Omaru Musa Ya’adua, GCFR.
Plenary Session
This session featured paper presentations form noble personalities in the academia and International Agencies. The topics presented include:
· USEPA and e-Waste by Jane Metcalfe, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of International Affairs.
· Citizens’ Participation, Opportunities and partnerships In E-Waste Control, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, Director, Basel Convention Regional, Africa
· Best available environmentally sound management practices in waste control by Babajide I. ALO,
· Hazardous Electronic and public impacts, by WHO.
After the presentations comments and contributions from the participants were satisfactorily responded to.
Working Group
The conference was divided into four working groups to allow professions consider various topics such as Environmental and Health impacts of e-waste; Best available environmentally sound management practices in e- waste control; Regulatory, Monitoring, and Enforcement issues in E-waste control; citizens’ participation and partnership.
Second Plenary Session
Thereafter, another plenary session was held to consider the reports of the various working groups. The reports were presented by group leaders and comments and questions were adequately responded to by the resource persons.
This processes led to production of the communiqué called THE ABUJA PLATFORM ON e-WASTE which was read before over 700 participants of the conference including the media and was adopted by a motion moved by a South African representing the international communities and supported by another international participant and the media.
Follow up activity
The Abuja Platform on e-Waste Control recognizes the roles of the NGOs and Civil Society in educating members of the public in the campaign against e-waste menace.
As follow-up to this recognition, a Nation Coalition of participatory NGOs named NATIOAL COALITION ON ENVIRONMENT AND e-WASTE CONTROL was formed and Centre for Waste Management and Environmental Issues (CEWAMES) is playing a centre role.
The first general meeting of the Coalition was held at Fulani Bar, Niccon Hilton, Abuja to discourse way forwards and to appoint officers that will pilot the affairs of the Coalition.
In conclusion, the coalition agreed to work with relevant agencies, public and private sections, as well as manufacturers of e-waste products and consumers to control the menace of e-waste in Nigeria.
Centre for Waste Management and Environmental Sanitation (CEWAMES)
Centre for Waste Management and Environmental Sanitation (CEWAMES)
Introduction: Centre for Waste Management and Environmental sanitation (CEWAMES) is non-profit, non-partisan, and an environmental non-Governmental organization concerned with the promotion of sound wastes management practices and environmental protection in Nigeria. Through research, education, advocacy, and community mobilization, CEWAMES is exploring strategies for broadening individuals and communities’ participation in the design and implementation of policies and programs that affect them especially in the areas of environment and health. CEWAMES is also positioned to provide services in the following areas: wastes recycling, engineering landfill, EIA, risk assessment, land evaluation, oil spill clean ups, land rehabilitation, among others.
Goal: To ensure that governments deliver on their commitment to improve access to save drinking water and sanitation by 2015 under the Millennium Development Goals
Vision: To maintain and sustain the sound management of waste and environmental Hazards in Nigeria.
Mission: To promote knowledge sharing and public environmental education; Research and
studies; sound environmentally friendly technologies; sound practices of wastes management and other environmental hazards; fight against pollution and environmental protection; natural resource planning; wastes to wealth; good governance, sanitation and health, and socio-economic well-being of citizens.
Objectives:
To promote knowledge sharing among stakeholders for awareness
To bring together agencies, institutions and Environmental-NGOs regularly to develop
Objectives:
To promote knowledge sharing among stakeholders for awareness
To bring together agencies, institutions and Environmental-NGOs regularly to develop
visions and programs for joint action and intervention around waste management and
sanitation in African
To change consumers behavior on wastes disposal
To partner with relevant Agencies at local and international levels
To collaborate with relevant international organization for technical support
To develop local technology in wastes sound management
To reduce poverty through wastes to wealth programs
To demonstrate skills, knowledge and understanding of waste management and their
To change consumers behavior on wastes disposal
To partner with relevant Agencies at local and international levels
To collaborate with relevant international organization for technical support
To develop local technology in wastes sound management
To reduce poverty through wastes to wealth programs
To demonstrate skills, knowledge and understanding of waste management and their
importance to wealth creation
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