Biodegradable is an environmental buzzword if ever there was one. In this age of renewed interest in green living, sustainability, and zero-waste lifestyles, it is one of the most common indicators that a product is “OK to use,” but is it really? What does the word biodegradable really mean, anyway? And for that matter, does labeling a product as biodegradable mean anything at all in terms of green living? Biodegradable has a simple definition. It means that an item can be disintegrated into its base…

Biological waste is waste contaminated with potentially infectious agents or other materials deemed a danger to public health or the environment. They can include: petri dishes culture tubes syringes needles blood vials absorbent material Segregation and Storage Keep the following waste types properly segregated until pick-up by USC’s Hazmat team to avoid area contamination. 1. Dry Biohazardous Waste – Dispose the following materials in a red biohazard bag placed in a bin or container with biohazard labels on each of three sides and the top…

All about bottle billsNo time to read this whole website? View the PowerPoint presentation instead. Container Deposit Legislation: Past, Present, Future provides a quick look at the most important facts about bottle bills. This presentation is also a great tool for activists needing to present information in support of a bottle bill. DefinitionThe term “bottle bill” is actually another way of saying “container deposit law.” A container deposit law requires a minimum refundable deposit on beer, soft drink and other beverage containers in order to…

A reusable shopping bag, sometimes called a bag for life in the UK, is a type of shopping bag which can be reused many times, in contrast to single-use paper or plastic shopping bags. It is often a tote bag made from fabric such as canvas, natural fibers such as jute, woven synthetic fibers, or a thick plastic that is more durable than disposable plastic bags, allowing multiple use. Other shoppers may use a string bag or a wheeled trolley bag. They are often sold…

Green Schools are environmentally healthy schools. They provide healthy, comfortable, energy efficient, resource efficient, water efficient, and safe environments for our children. Because of their reduced environmental impact, they are good environmental citizens. The schools are also easy to operate and maintain. This environment helps children achieve higher test scores, help districts retain quality teachers and staff, reduce operating costs, increase average daily attendance, and reduce liability. They also reduce children’s exposure to toxic substances. Green School programs use integrated design in planning for new…