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News from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
April 2012 
Upcoming Events

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Compliance Assistance Workshop

May 8, 2012
May 15, 2012
 May 23, 2012

Administrative Council Meeting

Lawnathon Festival
May 12, 2012

Small business demonstration - Saving Money through Toxics Reduction and Energy Efficiency 


Science Advisory Board Meeting
May 22, 2012

Advisory Committee Meeting
May 30, 2012 



TUR Planner Course

The 2012 TUR Planner Course will begin shortly after Labor Day.  This is a seven week course with one full day of classroom instruction per week, plus outside reading and group project work.  

The venue and exact schedule will not be confirmed before the start of July, but we plan to hold it somewhere in the vicinity of Worcester.  If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Mark Myles at TURI, 978-934-3298. 
 

 



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New Resources


Keynotes on green chemistry and supply chain transparency highlight Continuing Education Conference

TUR planners gathered at the Newton Marriott Boston on April 12 to learn from each other and from leaders in industry, government and academia. Popular sessions included chemical safety, green materials, project management, metal finishing, and resource conservation.

Keynote speaker Dr. Paul Anastas of Yale University, w
ho recently served as Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of 
Anastas and Ellenbecker
Keynote speaker Paul Anastas with TURI Director Mike Ellenbecker
Research and Development, presented a wide-ranging talk on green chemistry and sustainable innovation. He discussed the perils of unintended consequences that can result from the well-intentioned implementation of new technology without the benefit of systems thinking, and urged planners to consider the possibilities of transformative innovation and the design of inherently safer materials.

Roger McFadden, Vice President and Senior Scientist at Staples, Inc. delivered the afternoon plenary address, followed by a break-out session. His focus was on how corporations are responding to the growing supply chain demand for ingredient disclosure and transparency, providing Staples' 'Race to the Top' as an example.

Presentation materials from the conference are available online via the links below, and at the TURI website.

Scott Graves, Scott Graves & Associates - Insurance costs and toxic use reduction: What you should know
Rick Reibstein, Office of Technology Assistance -
TUR planners
TUR planners Gary Nedelman and Lucy Servidio compare notes 
Preventive Emergency Planning
Monica Becker, Monica Becker Associates - The Safer Plasticizer Assessment Project
Chris Capalbo, New Method Plating - Metal Finishing 101
Mike Nahorniak, Independent Plating - Tri-Chrome Installation
Matt Stauffer, Pavco - Modern Trivalent Chrome Plating Technology Comparison
Roger McFadden, Staples, Inc.- Staples Race to the Top, Preventing Product-based Pollution

TURI - Asthma-Related Chemicals in Massachusetts:  Toxics Use Reduction & Disease Prevention
Joy Onasch, TURI - Eliminating use of toxics chemicals in dry cleaning:  A cost analysis of a wet cleaning shop 
Dave Kiddoo
Dave Kiddoo of AlphaGary participates in a discussion

Joy Onasch, TURI - TURI's FY2012 Community Grants
Nancy Goodyear, et al., UMass Lowell - Precision and Sensitivity of an ATP Bioluminescence Meter as Compared to Culture
TURI - Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Chemical Facts - N-Propyl Bromide
Zarif Farhana Mohd Aris, et al, UMass Lowell - Polysaccharide Based Surfactants as Alternative to Nonylphenol Ethoxylates

Madeline Snow, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production - Stakeholder Interest, SOW, Project Management
Monica Becker, Monica Becker Associates - B2B Communication of Chemical Data Along Supply Chains
Roger McFadden, Staples, Inc. - Green Materials Supply Chain Management
Greg Montello, New Balance - A Sustainable Sourcing Approach
Beka Kosanovic, Industrial Assessment Center - UMass Amherst - Energy Conservation - DOE Best Practice Tools
Michael Ellenbecker, TURI/UMass Lowell - The Impact of Industrial Ventilation Systems on Energy Conservation 

 


Apply for a Community & Small Business Grant

 

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute is pleased to invite proposals from community organizations, municipal departments, small businesses, trade associations, and regional and statewide organizations for support under our Community and Small Business Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2013.

 

Alternatives to toxic chemicals exist. With the support of grant funding, you have the opportunity to create and promote healthier communities throughout the Commonwealth by raising awareness and educating people about safer alternatives.

 

This year we are especially interested in supporting projects that elevate toxics use reduction ideas and projects to a

VidaVerde women mix safer cleaners
The Brazilian Women's Group taught house cleaners about safer cleaning products, with the help of a TURI grant

regional or statewide level; however, we also welcome applications for more local projects.

 

At the core of the Community and Small Business Program is the creation of partnerships and collaboration. The Program has fostered the development of unique partnerships around toxics use reduction (TUR) among many diverse groups. These collaborative efforts have addressed toxics in and around schools, municipal buildings and operations, households, recreational activities, and small businesses such as auto body shops and hair and nail salons.

 

The maximum award amount for regional or statewide projects is $20,000. The maximum award amount for local projects is $10,000. Funding is contingent on availability of program funds. Applications must be received by June 29, 2012 at NOON.

 

For questions at any time during the application process, please contact Joy Onasch, Community and Small Business Program Manager, at 978-934-4343. You are encouraged to contact the program to discuss project ideas sufficiently in advance of the June 29 deadline.

 

Download the application package