[greenyes] PVC Report: US facing waste crisis

["Monica Wilson" <mwilson@no.address>]

PVC Report, Materials and Consumer Letters Posted on Web at
www.besafenet.com/pvc.htm See list below.


 U.S. Facing Waste Crisis From Disposal of 70 Billion Pounds
of PVC in Next Decade

Pervasive PVC Plastic Used in Baby Shampoo Bottles,
Blister Packs and Toys Poses Serious Environmental and Health Threats
According to New Study



The United States is facing a looming waste crisis with a conservative
estimate of 70 billion pounds of PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride) slated for
disposal in the next decade. Disposal rates are expected to sharply increase
as an estimated 125 billion pounds of PVC installed in the last 40 years in
construction and other long lasting uses will need to be disposed of as it
reaches the end of its useful life. This pervasive "poison plastic" is used
in thousands of products, including pipes, building materials (such as vinyl
siding), consumer products (such as tablecloths) and disposable packaging,
and cannot be disposed of safely.  From 1966 to 2002, an estimated 250
billion pounds of PVC was used in the U.S., with a doubling of use in the
past 15 years alone. A new report, PVC, Bad News Comes In Threes: The Poison
Plastic, Health Hazards & The Looming Waste Crisis, documents the health and
environmental hazards during manufacturing, product use and disposal, and
provides new national and state estimates on PVC waste incinerated and
landfilled.


Report Released in 20 States:  Organizations in 20 states are holding 25
media events or news releases on December 7th.
Click here for the Calendar of State Media Activities.

National News Release: Contact Lois Gibbs, Executive Director, Center for
Health, Environment & Justice at 703-237-2249 or (Cell) 703-627-9483.


PVC, Bad News Come in Threes, the Poison Plastic, Health Hazards & the
Looming Waste Crisis - This 89-page report was written by the Center for
Health, Environment & Justice and the Environmental Health Strategy Center.
Top Ten States Incinerating PVC Waste - (pdf format or html version)
B-Roll tapes (Beta)  which feature U.S. incinerators and chemical production
facilities are also available.
Top Ten States Landfilling PVC Waste - (pdf format or html version)

National PVC Consumption Trends Chart - (pdf format or (html version)
Major Findings of PVC Report - (pdf format or html version)
Executive Summary of PVC Report - (pdf format or html version)

Campaign Launched Urging Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft

to Switch to Available Safe Materials and Join Many Companies Phasing out
PVC



PVC Consumer Campaign Leaflet describes Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft
campaign -(pdf format or html version).


Click here to copy Sample Letter and get Email Address to Send to Microsoft

Click here to copy Sample Letter and get Email Address to Send to Johnson &
Johnson

National Coalition Letters Sent to Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft Asking
for Endorsement of PVC-Free Pledge, 12/7/04

Previous Johnson & Johnson Communications from June to November 2004
Previous Microsoft Communication in October 2004


PVC-Free Pledge

Sample Companies Phasing Out PVC:

  a.. Samsung June 2004 Announcement, Chemical Week article.
  b.. Firestone October 2004 Media Statement
For more information, please contact CHEJ: Lois Gibbs, Executive Director at
703-237-2249 or (Cell) 703- 627-9483 or BE SAFE Coordinator Anne Rabe,
518-732-4538, annerabe@no.address