Waste

Mr. Great Lakes: Canadian trash, the Weadock Plant, and trees

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM. Feb. 21, 2014 – Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) – Delta Q 90.1 FM – Environment Report by jeffkart

This week, Kart discusses an increase in Michigan’s trash, the shutting down of a coal-burning plant and a spring tree sale. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Waste

Mr. Great Lakes: Recyclemania, “Healthy” Asian carp and the best carp barrier

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM.  
Feb. 7, 2014 – Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) – The Environment Report, Q 90.1 FM by jeffkart

This week, Kart discusses a collegiate recycling tournament, research on the consumption of Asian carp and an “almost foolproof” barrier for carp. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Waste

Green gavel: Illinois man loses appeal in asbestos case

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By Eric FreedmanGreat Lakes EchoA federal appeals court has upheld a 10-year prison term for an Illinois sprinkler contractor who hired untrained workers to illegally remove asbestos without protective equipment and then arranged to dump the contaminated material. Prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to the jury that Duane “Butch” O’Malley knowingly violated the Clean Air Act by removing, transporting and dumping insulation containing asbestos, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled. Researchers have linked asbestos to such serious health risks as asbestosis, nonmalignant lung disorders, lung cancer and mesothelioma. According to legal documents, real estate developer Michael Pinski bought a Kankakee, Ill., warehouse that contained asbestos-containing insulationwrapped around pipes. Kankakee is about 60 miles south of Chicago.

Waste

Big Ten’s Eco Efforts: University of Michigan

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In the spirit of our “Green Gridirons” series (but just in case college football wasn’t your thing), the “Big Ten’s Eco Efforts” series highlights creative off-the-field sustainability efforts. In January, the University of Michigan launched an online certification program to promote sustainable behaviors and culture. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join the Planet Blue Ambassadors by completing brief modules about energy, food, waste, water and community. “Ambassadors earn points per sustainable pledge they complete on their dashboard and earn badges the more pledges they complete,” said Dana Elger, media relations representative at the Office of Public Affairs. “The program is designed to educate the campus on the various ways they can assist in creating a culture of sustainability and motivate them to act.

Waste

Green Gridirons: Michigan State University

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A football stadium may have green grass but does it have green habits? Each week, Great Lakes Echo highlights a Big Ten football stadium’s attempts to do the most to impact the environment the least. All schools have information on the stadium’s diversion rate – the amount of waste recycled instead of put in a landfill. Stadium: Spartan Stadium

School: Michigan State University

Built: 1923

Capacity: 75,005

2012 diversion rate: 56.3 percent

Scouting report: Michigan State University has 80 recycling containers inside Spartan Stadium during games. Staff handpicks recyclables from the grounds outside stadium gates and on Sunday mornings from tailgating lots.

Waste

Big Ten’s Eco Efforts: University of Maryland

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In the spirit of our “Green Gridirons” series (but just in case college football wasn’t your thing), the “Big Ten’s Eco Efforts” series highlights creative off-the-field sustainability efforts. Students at the University of Maryland are so passionate about protecting their environment that they’re willing to pay for it. In fact, they volunteered to. In 2010 students created the University Sustainability Fund, a self-imposed $12 fee per student each year. The money is then distributed to environmental projects across campus.