Archives - October 2008
PLA, or corn plastic, is made with Midwestern corn, not Middle East oil. Its production releases fewer toxic substances than making petroleum plastic and uses less energy, spewing an estimated two-thirds less greenhouse gas.
And corn plastic can be composted, incinerated or recycled, its manufacturer says, offering "the most alternatives" of any plastic to landfilling.
Even so, Oregon's recycling pros are awfully down on it.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-27-08
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will buy up to $5 million worth of domestic farm-raised catfish for school lunches and other programs in an agreement producers say could give the industry more leverage in its fight
against Asian imports.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-27-08
Sushi lovers nationwide will soon have a way to make seafood choices that please the palate and safeguard the world's ocean wildlife. On October 22, three leading ocean conservation organizations - Blue Ocean
Institute, Environmental Defense Fund and the Monterey Bay Aquarium - will make available to the public color-coded consumer guides ranking popular sushi selections based on whether they are prepared using seafood that's
caught or farmed in ways that harm the ocean or pose a health risk to people.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-23-08
In an eco-friendly measure against the environmental hazard caused by polythene wrappers, the Sri Lanka government has evolved a technique to prepare food wrappers from banana leaves.
The Sri Lankan Agriculture Ministry has claimed that it has perfected in the technology for making available the all pervading aromatic "cured" banana leaves and to keep it for a longer duration without any change in its
colour or quality.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-20-08
There is organic milk. Free-range chicken. Grass-fed beef. Now make room in the fridge for sustainably farmed Arctic char.
Aquaculture is becoming the next big issue at the dinner table. Supermarkets are introducing new standards for the farmed fish and shrimp that make up roughly half of U.S. seafood consumption, riding a wave of consumer demand
for environmentally friendly products.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-13-08
More than six out of ten consumers say they are likely to choose a restaurant based on its environmental
efforts, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2008 Restaurant Industry Forecast. The
sustainability efforts of many restaurants have already gone beyond energy conservation, to include
sourcing of sustainable and local foods and beverages; biodegradable single use products; green building
materials and buildings; and use of renewable energy. With the growing interest and undertakings, an
environmental standard and certification program that provides a comprehensive framework and
recognizes leadership in this industry is needed.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-7-08
There is organic milk. Free-range chicken. Grass-fed beef. Now make room in the fridge for sustainably farmed Arctic char.
Aquaculture is becoming the next big issue at the dinner table. Supermarkets are introducing new standards for the farmed fish and shrimp that make up roughly half of U.S. seafood consumption, riding a wave of consumer demand
for environmentally friendly products.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-13-08
Supporting the hospitality industry's continued efforts to decrease carbon footprints and develop eco-friendly properties, the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) next month features
educational programming, a special exhibitor, and product awards highlighting the latest sustainable products and resources, according to show manager GLM.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-7-08
Greenpeace today launched an online database of fishing vessels involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the companies that own them.
The global environmental organisation launched its 'IUU blacklist' as the West and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meets in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, to discuss increased regulation of tuna fishing in the
Pacific where IUU fishing of the regional tuna stocks is rife(1).
(Full Article) Posted: 10-6-08
A bill that would have banned the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging in California has been vetoed by the state governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-6-08
The Bush administration has abruptly halted a government program that tests the levels of pesticides in fruits, vegetables and field crops, arguing that the $8 million-a-year program is too expensive-a decision critics say
could make it harder to protect consumers from toxins in their food.
(Full Article) Posted: 10-6-08
