Everything you always wanted to know about the Waxman-Markey energy/climate bill—in bullet points  (by grist.org)   http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-03-waxman-markey-bill-breakdown/

2009 Draft State Solid Waste Mgt. Plan

The 2009 draft State Plan is accessible on DSIWM's web page at
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm/document/swmdclear/2009_state_plan_draft.pdf

Additional information regarding the state plan is accessible on DSIWM's web page
at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm/pages/stateplan.html.

Questions regarding the State Plan should be directed to Ernie Stall, at the Divis ion of Solid and Infectious Waste Management, at (614) 728 5356, ernest.stall@epa.state.oh.us

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

UPDATED June 11, 2009

Quick link to this page: energystar.gov/taxcredits

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency includes:

Tax Credits for Consumers Tax credits are available in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes & new construction)    Read more

San Francisco Wasted Food Fines: Waste Not, Want Not

Michelle Locke     June 11, 2009
San Francisco this week passed a mandatory composting law that is believed to be the strictest such ordinance in the nation. Residents will be required to have three color-coded trash bins, including one for recycling, one for trash and a new one for compost  everything from banana peels to coffee grounds.   The law makes San Francisco the leader yet again in environmentally friendly measures, following up on other green initiatives such as banning plastic bags at supermarkets.  Read more

Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) 
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary effort to create voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable land design, construction
and maintenance practices.  Click here to download the guidelines.

Is cornstarch plastic packaging (PLA) compostable or recyclable?

July 14, 2009 in section: Blog by Mrs Green

http://myzerowaste.com/2009/07/is-cornstarch-plastic-packaging-pla-compostable-or-recyclable/

Congress Looks to Green Technologies for Stormwater Control

"Instead of engineering the stormwater system to deal with increasingly large amounts of stormwater, these low impact development approaches utilize technologies that aim to reduce the amount of stormwater that even enters the system," said Subcommittee Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas in her opening statement.  "This is achieved through processes that encourage enhanced infiltration and evaporation processes. Simple approaches such as green roofs, increased tree cover, disconnecting downspouts, and adding more green space can go a long way to reducing the amount of stormwater that enters sewers. And in some circumstances, these technologies can realize significant cost savings for municipalities and building owners"  Read more

Stormwater in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) is responsible for administering the state’s stormwater management program.  State stormwater requirements are mirrored after the federal NPDES program, requiring that stormwater be treated to the maximum extent practicable (MEP).   The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is responsible for identifying BMPs in Ohio.  The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) as an MS4  has developed stormwater programs of their own with additional treatment requirements.   Read more

PROPOSED OEPA RULES
Click on this link to go to the OEPA website and download the proposed and draft rules packages.  NOW is the time to review these changes before they are effective!  
This link will take you to the comments of others regarding these rules and the OEPA response:   http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm/document/draftrule/fee_rules_responsiveness_summary.pdf
ORAO members:  Email your comments about these rules to me!          

COOL 2012 Campaign
(Compostable Organics Out of Landfills)  
At the Create a Diversion! Conference in June 2008, Nora Goldstein spoke about the COOL 2012 campaign.  This initiative stresses the importance of getting compostable organics out of the landfill.   Visit http://www.cool2012.com/ for more information.

Are you looking for compostable or biodegradable  ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 certified foodservice items?  bags?  packaging?  containers? 
At our Create a Diversion! Conference in June 2008, Steve Mojo, Executive Director of BPI, discussed these products and how they reduce the contamination of loads for organics recycling.  Visit the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) website at http://www.bpiworld.org/BPI-Public/Approved.html and find out more!