Solar Manufacturing in the US is Taking a Beating
Several solar firms, calling themselves the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), have filed a suit with the International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Chinese solar panel makers are dumping cheap solar panels on the US market. The complaint filed by seven manufacturers has divided the US solar industry and resulted in another group, calling …
Cleantech’s “Double” Bottomline: Sustainability Still Treated Separate But Not Equal
I recently served as a judge for the 2011 Cleantech Open Business Competition’s National Sustainability Award at the CaliforniaCleantech Open (CTO). The competition provides training and mentoring to bring start- up cleantech companies to market. CTO, considered by some to be the Academy Awards of the cleantech industry, continues to help grow and define the cleantech sector. As …
Green Chemistry Regulations Made Simple
The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) has been involved in a process in California called the Green Chemistry Initiative; we have been working on it with other NGOs in the CHANGE Coalition (Californians for A Healthy and Green Economy). For me, the process has been challenging. Why? Because it seems only logical that corporations should not put …
Sometimes It Isn’t Fun to be Right
Just as we feared, communities are being polluted due to toxic releases from irresponsible solar companies. This week international news headlines reported that 500 people protested at the Zhejiang Jinko Solar factory near Shanghai, China. The protesters complained that the factory spews dense smoke from a dozen chimneys and that fish are dying from Jinko …
Why is it So Easy to Buy Hazardous Products and So Hard to Get Rid of Them Responsibly?
Recently, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) was faced with these issues when we cleaned-out our office and had to dispose of a variety of items. We found that recycling e-waste was easy because SVTC is an informed resident and we are lucky to have a responsible e-waste recycler in Santa Clara County. But with the household products …
The Plight of Electronics Refurbishers in India
In 2009, SVTC traveled to India to work with Chintan, a group in Delhi working on the electronic waste (e-waste) issue. Together we produced the film, Citizens at Risk. In the following blog series we will be updating you on the progress of the work to work with informal recyclers to improve working conditions and …
What Does India’s E-Waste Law Mean?
In 2009, SVTC traveled to India to work with Chintan, a group in Delhi working on the electronic waste (e-waste) issue. Together we produced the film, Citizens at Risk . In the following blog series we will be updating you on the progress of the work to work with informal recyclers to improve working …
Strengthening California’s Weak e-Waste Law
California is the home to electronic companies such as HP and Apple and also to one of the weakest e-waste recycling laws in the country. Why? Because California passed a “let the company ride free law” – meaning that we as consumers have to pay for the collection of e-waste instead of the company. That …
Let the Cat Out of the Bag!
Let the cat out of the bag! Don’t look now, but the chemical industry in California is trying to prevent you from purchasing products that could help save your cat or dog’s life! SB 147 (sponsored by Senator Mark Leno) simply wants to “require the Bureau of Home Furnishings to include an alternative flammability standard …