The Earth Is Not a Trash Can

I guess discarded televisions from Texas will go to Chinese dumps.

http://energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/06/rick-perry-rejects-tv-recyclin.html">

Colleen McCain Nelson/Editorial Writer   

Environmental advocates notched few victories this legislative session. Sadly, their short list of successes got even shorter Friday when Gov. Rick Perry vetoed legislation that would have required television manufacturers to provide free recycling for discarded TVs.

The bill seemed innocuous enough. After all, older televisions are laden with lead. Recycling the TVs keeps the toxic chemicals from making their way into our soil and water.

The bill’s Senate sponsor, Kirk Watson, said that both environmental and industry groups were involved in crafting the compromise legislation.

But that wasn’t enough for Perry, who deemed the mandate onerous and opted once again to side with industry over environmental protections.

Source: energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com

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http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090622/BUSINESS01/906220336/1003/BUSINESS/Eco-friendly+claims+go+unchecked">

By Traci Watson • USA TODAY • June 22, 2009

WASHINGTON — The federal watchdog that’s supposed to crack down on product labels that make false environmental claims has taken almost no enforcement action over the last decade, even as “green” marketing claims have exploded, agency records show.

Companies touting eco-friendly products or biodegradable packaging are supposed to abide by guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission in 1992. The FTC can take companies that ignore the so-called “Green Guides” to court and seek fines to reimburse consumers.

Since May 2000, the FTC has taken legal action against only three companies for violating the guidelines. All three complaints were announced June 9, the day of a congressional hearing about environmental marketing.

“There has been little to no enforcement of the 1992 guides,” says environmental consultant Kevin Tuerff, whose company started a Web site aimed at exposing ads with questionable environmental claims. “They need to pick up the pace.”

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I have no idea what this is, but it was in the road when I was running this morning. I brought it home to put it into the trash (unless someone can tell me what to do with it).
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Tags: Environment | Recycling

I have never been this out of it. Not even in college.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-lawyer-trashcan,0,5924850.story">

Associated Press
8:40 AM CDT, June 19, 2009

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – A southern Indiana lawyer says he’s embarrassed and has apologized for being found asleep headfirst in neighbor’s trash can after a night of drinking. No charges have been filed against Larry Wilder, who is the Jeffersonville City Council’s attorney. The council president says she’ll call a special meeting next week to discuss Wilder’s status with the city. Wilder says he was with friends for dinner and drinks in nearby Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday night but was driven home in a client’s limousine and remembers little of what happened after that. A neighbor found Wilder in the trash can early Wednesday and called police, who helped Wilder home. Jeffersonville Police Chief Tim Deeringer says no crime was committed and that Wilder was cooperative and not a threat to anyone.

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I’ve always wanted someone to start doing this. I would like to see discarded building materials used for homes.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124510435308816591.html?mod=dist_smartbrief">

By DENNIS NISHI

View Full Image

Kirsten Jacobsen

Michael Reynolds builds self-sufficient ‘earthships’ that generate their own power.

Full name: Michael Reynolds

Age: 63

Current position: Founder of Earthship Biotecture

How I got to here in 10 words or less: Don’t give up.

* * *

Architect Michael Reynolds has built more than

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Great news.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090615/NEWS01/906150330/Stimulus+feeds+green+projects">

By Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • June 15, 2009

New solar panels on Wilson County’s 41-year-old courthouse. Financial incentives for developers in Hendersonville who go green. A city employee to monitor energy efficiency in Franklin.

These projects and more are on wish lists being put together across Middle Tennessee. All could become reality, thanks to Uncle Sam’s money.

Communities around Nashville are looking to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund millions of dollars’ worth of improvements that will save governments electricity and, in turn, money.

Those retrofits and the benefits that come with them sound good to folks like John Adams.

Adams, a homebuilder in Lebanon, hopes Wilson County’s plan makes government there more efficient and believes it will help the environment.

Source: tennessean.com

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Tags: Environment

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