February 23, 2010 Sustainable Business 12-2

Sustainable Business . February 23rd, 2010 Register Today Sustainable Business Green Initiative Session February 23rd, 2010 Bay Bears Stadium 12noon - 2pm Registration fee= $12 (lunch included) Register by February 19th for food count. Jason Wilford with the Bay Bears will host the first Green Initiative Session as a result of the Sustainable Business Workshop. He will be presenting what the Bay Bears will be doing in the coming year to implement 3 green initiatives. There will be a breakout session to share best practices and learn from each other about what can be done to increase productivity and profits while reducing the impact on the environment. Call Wendy Allen for more information: 251-510-8002 Registration information: www.smartcoast.org Smart Coast depends on supporters like you to continue the important work of creating liveable communities and sustainable businesses in the coastal region. If you would like to be a supporter, go on our website: www.smartcoast.org or contact Wendy Allen 251-510-8002 for more information. Remember "The Midas Touch" Dear Business Owner/Executive, Smart Coast was excited about the response to the sustainable business workshop that was held last September. You expressed an interest in continuing the dialogue about sustainable business practices and the timing is right for this dialogue to begin. You will remember the information about the Triple Bottom Line which means reducing operating costs by looking through environmental lens.The Workshop Speaker, Bill Stough said, "The journey towards sustainable development requires that businesses, governments and individuals take action, i.e., changing consumption and production behaviors, setting policies and changing practices." He also gave 10 steps to begin this journey in your company: 1. Identify a volunteer in your company to serve as the champion for green efforts 2. Form a green team to work with your company champion 3. Measure your company's energy consumption 4. Measure your company's consumption of material 5. Measure your company's consumption of water 6. Measure your company's waste stream 7. Measure your company's hazardous waste 8. Measure your company's recycling success 9. Make performance improvemnet recommendations in each catagory 10. Establish a sustainability scorecard for stakeholders As you begin your business journey toward sustainability,it is important to begin to share with other companies what you are doing, plan to do, or are encouraging your suppliers to do. Smart Coast wants to offer you the opportunity to network with other companies by hosting the Green Initiatives Lunches on a regular basis. For those of you who were unable to attend the first Sustainable Business Workshop, you can come and learn from other companies what that means and how you can get started. Please plan to attend the first of these sessions hosted by the Bay Bears. Come and hear what they are implementing and learn what others are doing as well. Together we can make our region sustainable. From the Director Sincerely, Wendy Allen & Charlene Lee Smart Coast 251-928-2309 www.smartcoast.org info@smartcoast.org

Natural Awakenings Magazine

Dear Friend,

Your new digital edition of Natural Awakenings magazine is ready for you to view. Just click on the link below, or copy and paste this link into your browser window:
http://content.yudu.com/A1lusj/ECFeb10/

ALL OF OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINES SINCE NOVEMBER 2008 ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE'S RESOURCES PAGE and are all fully searchable! Just look for the link on the left side of the Resources page.
http://emcoast.naturalawakeningsmag.com/resources

All websites and email addresses listed in advertisements,
news briefs, calendars, and classifieds are "live," so they need only be clicked to work. Page numbers listed
in the Table of Contents, NewsBriefs, and Community Resource

Guides are also live, so please enjoy, and feel free to
forward this link to friends, family, and business associates.

Coastlines/Green Awareness March article

New Beginnings

The FWB Chamber’s Green Awareness Taskforce volunteers began recycling awareness passing out recycling information at the Snowbird Expo in January. In February, taskforce members and high school student volunteers provided recycling containers at the Mardi Gras Parade & Festival. March/April does not slow down any. The taskforce will be recruiting volunteers for the Southeast Recycling Conference at the Sandestin Hilton March 7th thru 9th and for the Gulf Coast Energy Network Power Up Expo March 10th -13th. On Friday April 16th, the Taskforce will be recruiting volunteers to help out during the Earth/Arbor Day event at the Ft Walton Beach landing. The taskforce continue to bring in monthly speakers to update members on current products, services & programs promoting Green Awareness. Mike Gilliam from Eglin Air Force Base will present their “Green Procurement Program” at March’s meeting. At February’s meeting Jim Reece Okaloosa County’s Recycling Coordinator updated us on Florida’s Energy Bill 7135. He also told the Taskforce the rankings of the two innovative grants the county submitted to the State. The Chamber’s Green Awareness Taskforce partnered with the County on the Commercial Recycling grant request. If this grant is funded, taskforce members and the county recycling coordinator will work together to create commercial recycling opportunities. The taskforce’s Utilities committee encourages businesses and homeowners to contact their utility provider to get a complimentary energy audit. ROW (recycling on the water) continues their efforts with their pilot recycling program at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club. If you are a chamber member and have a green product or service, you can add your business information to our web-site. http://gogreenokaloosa.com/bizdirectory

The Green Awareness Taskforce meets at 815am the 1st Tuesday each month at the FWB Chamber conference room. Visit our web-site for more information about the FWB Chamber Green Awareness Taskforce & take the Green Pledge. www.gogreenokaloosa.com

Six Environmentally Friendly Tips for Pet Owners

1. Pet Selection. If you already have a pet it’s too late for this, but if not, you can select some pets which are more environmentally friendly than others. Vegetarian pets are more environmentally friendly than meat eaters, but you should not make the mistake of feeding a vegetarian diet to a carnivore. Some pets require additional electricity, such as fish and lizards that require lighting and heat; as such these animals are less environmentally friendly. Some of the most environmentally friendly pets are actually pet insects, like walking sticks and beetles. Free range chickens are an extremely “Green” pet, because they lay you eggs and eat insect pests.
2. Avoid chemicals. This can include avoiding chemicals in their food, or chemicals you put on them. The most common chemicals in food are BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a dangerous chemical pesticide used in the “by-products”. All of these chemicals are known to have potential risks and are used in the lower quality pet foods. Better foods use Vitamin E, Tocopherols. Other chemicals to avoid are those used on the pet itself, such as flea treatments. The best and safest way to remove fleas is with a cheap flea comb, sticking any found fleas to tape, which you can fold and dispose. Chemicals are not only environmentally unfriendly they are down right dangerous to your pet.
3. Clean Green. You can purchase biodegradable bags for picking up after your pooch. You can get cat litter made from corn which is flushable. This is particularly good because the other litter comes from sources of mining or processing, like with the silicone bead litter. If you have a problem with odor this is best handled with the use of Baking Soda.
4. Buy locally made food, treats, and toys. When something is made locally it reduces shipping, this is better for the environment. You can often find locally made pet treats and toys at farmers markets. Locally made food may be a trickier thing to find, particularly to make sure it is good quality. But if you can at least buy a food that is manufactured in your own country rather than imported, then that is a start. You can sometimes grow some of your own pet treats, particularly if you have rabbits; they love fresh home grown carrots in addition to their regular food.
5. Buy used or second hand. Some pet supplies can be purchased used or second hand. This reduces manufacturing of other goods, and saves you money. Sometimes you will get lucky and find products that were bought and never used. Not all used pet products will be safe, plastic food bowls for cats and dogs should never be reused, but stainless steel bowls are fine. Cages and crates should be washed with bleach. You can find second hand pet products at second hand stores or garage sales, and possibly in the newspaper as well. In turn you should recycle any unused pet products of your own.
6. Spay and Neuter. As with humans, the best way to reduce our foot print is to not add more burdens to the planet. Spayed or neutered pets will eat slightly less food and have fewer health requirements, but mostly they will reduce the number of hungry mouths to feed by not creating more. You might think your pet is cute, and surely it is, but there are huge numbers of pets euthanized every year, or living on the streets. For the most part there is no need to make more pets. This is a very hard thing for people to understand and accept but the truly biggest thing you can do for your pet and for the planet is to spay or neuter your animal. Assuming of course it is one of the species that can be spayed or neutered, if not, simply do not allow that animal to reproduce.

For other ideas on how to help protect our natural resources and improve public health visit www.wfrpc.org/thinkgreen.

How Transit Agencies CanReduce Their Carbon Footprint- 01-29-10

Going Green: How Transit Agencies Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
By Rudy Woodward

Rudy Woodward is vice president of Technical Services at Veolia Transportation and manages maintenance, fleet management purchasing, sustainability and environmental compliance for Veolia Transportation’s 130 bus and paratransit contracts in the United States.

It seems everyone is searching for ways to become green and promote sustainability in their homes, workplaces and communities. Increasingly, we are using less, recycling more and replacing what we must with more environmentally friendly alternatives. And, judging by the number of green products and services available to us, the ubiquity of green stories in the media and references to green in everything from construction to school curricula, it appears sustainability likely is more than just a passing trend of the new millennium, but rather a collective vision shared by many across countless industries and disciplines.

Transit agencies across the United States and around the world are called to be green as well. Some agencies are just embarking on the journey toward green while others are well along the way. Like so many other businesses in the United States, they are examining their infrastructures, equipment and processes and identifying ways to become more environmentally friendly at every level of their organizations.

By nature of our profession, transit agencies and operators are innate stewards of the environment and conservation. Public transportation reduces the number of vehicles on roadways; thereby reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. What’s more, greening our industry makes good business sense. By promoting energy efficiency in building design and construction, reusing and recycling materials, implementing environmentally friendly processes and electing to use alternative fuels and green equipment, transit agencies can directly benefit their bottom line in the form of short- and long-term cost savings and improved margins.

As if these are not enough reasons to encourage the continued “greening” of our industry, consider that we are likely to see legislation and taxes aimed at curbing carbon output. In April, the Environmental Protection Agency classified carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as harmful pollutants and proposed reporting mandates and tougher emissions limits. Public demand for sustainable trains, buses, structures and processes also has never been higher. The communities we serve are looking for sustainable mass transit that is reliable, efficient and affordable. We have a tremendous opportunity to take a proactive, leadership position on this issue and to set the standard for sustainability in both the public and private sector.

Reducing Your Agency’s Carbon Footprint

First and foremost, agencies must create a culture that supports carbon management and this must become an integral part of how your organization conducts business.

It cannot be a one-off project or separate initiative. Rather, it must permeate every department, from operations and procurement to maintenance and human resources, and it must start at the top. Without the passionate support and adoption of the executive team, it will be extremely difficult, and nearly impossible, for an organization to effectively reduce its carbon footprint. Remember the old adage “actions speak louder than words” and “lead by example.” If your organization is serious about sustainability, prove it to your employees, partners and customers in the way you do business.

“Green” your thinking and behaviors and help every employee see his or her world through a green filter. Just as safety likely is a cornerstone of your organization, sustainability must be as well. Similar to how every decision is made within the context of promoting and maintaining a safe working and riding environment, so too must sustainability be a lens through which your employees see their responsibility to their workplace, their customers and one another. As with safety, success in sustainability depends on everyday actions by every member of your team.

Second, measure your footprint.
You cannot improve if you do not know where your deficiencies are. Chances are you probably are required to report carbon emissions on a local, state and/or federal level already, but if you are not, consider measuring your carbon footprint on a twice yearly basis. At Veolia Transportation, we started with vehicles because they are the largest contributor to greenhouse gases. For the past three years, we have collected data on vehicle usage (miles traveled), vehicle emissions and fuel utilization from all of our 130 transit and paratransit contracts. In the future, we will move to measure our total carbon footprint, including the amount of solid waste generated and the water and electricity consumed. Done regularly, auditing and measurement not only will help you benchmark improvement, it also will uncover areas where immediate corrective action is needed, further investigation is warranted or additional training is required.

Third, set benchmarks for your organization — as a whole and by location — and hold departments and individuals accountable.
Outline your sustainability objectives for each department and build goals and measurement into performance reviews for individuals at every level — from the executive team and operations to mechanics and administrative support. Be specific and ensure individuals understand how their goals tie into larger corporate initiatives. At Veolia Transportation, we formed “Green Teams” at each location — one for vehicles, one for offices and one for facilities — with the specific goal of creating and implementing a detailed action plan for carbon reduction.

Fourth, reward success.
Incentives that encourage and remunerate steps taken toward greater carbon management sustain good habits and help promote healthy competition across organizations. Recognize employees who embrace a sustainable culture and adopt green habits in their everyday performance – let them know you value their commitment.

Finally, enlist the help of your partners, suppliers and consultants.
Are they promoting sustainability within their organizations? Reiterate your focus on this important initiative, share best practices and ask for their support as you green your agency.

Getting Started
More likely than not, your agency already has undertaken steps to green its facilities and fleet. Perhaps you are remodeling buildings and stations or beginning new construction projects that promote sustainability. Or, you might be replacing equipment and vehicles with more energy-efficient alternatives. But, what if you are not planning such large capital investments? There are many small, easy-to-implement changes your organization can adopt that will have a big effect on carbon output. Challenge every member of your organization to green his or her everyday habits.

The following are a just few simple work/lifestyle changes you and your employees can make today that will have a direct impact on the environment and your bottom line:

Greening Fleets

Focus on idle reduction. Many transit authorities and many of our clients have made this a priority and have realized significant savings in fuel and reductions in emissions. This requires a great deal of communication with bus operators, lot supervisors and maintenance teams, but the potential dividends are significant.
Train drivers in “green driving” techniques. Acceleration burns more fuel than any other phase of driving so encourage drivers to ease up on the pedal and avoid sudden or aggressive starts. Anticipating traffic light signals, turns and the actions of other drivers also helps with this. Drivers should avoid hard braking because it not only causes brake parts to wear out quickly; it turns a vehicle’s momentum into useless heat. Whenever possible, and without compromising safety, save fuel by climbing hills gently and coasting on the way down.
Be rigorous about preventive maintenance. Develop and follow a schedule for routine maintenance and tune-ups to ensure engines operate at peak efficiency. Institute rigorous programs for tire inflation, since improperly inflated tires wear out more quickly and reduce fuel economy.
Greening Maintenance Facilities

Conserve water. Aim to be as dry a shop as possible and minimize the use of water for washing and cleanup to minimize wastewater generation. If possible, designate a special spot in the shop away from the service area where ice and snow can melt off vehicles and be contained.
Consider oil use and disposal. Develop an oil testing and monitoring program that ensures all oil is used to the end of its useful life and not changed too soon. Recycle all waste oil appropriately.
Clean “green.” Whenever possible, use biodegradable, water-based cleaning products for vehicles, offices and maintenance bays. Multiple suppliers now offer cleaning products that are far less toxic and far more environmentally friendly. They are not more expensive and they are just as effective, thus we are using them at more than 90 percent of our locations.
Greening Offices

Ensure heating and air-conditioning system efficiencies. Set automatic heating and air-conditioning controls to minimize energy use. Where possible, set thermostats a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Keep windows and doors closed when systems are operating and clean and/or replace all filters regularly to optimize system performance.
Practice energy-conscious lighting habits. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CLFs are four times as efficient as incandescent bulbs and they produce less heat so they help reduce air-conditioning costs too. Turn lights off at the end of the day and considers installing motion-sensing light switches that automatically turn lights on when someone enters a room and off after they leave.
Reduce, reuse and recycle. Print only what really needs to be printed and use both sides of every sheet of paper. Share newspapers and magazines to avoid duplicate copies and cancel unwanted publications. Recycle all paper, aluminum, glass, plastic and anything else accepted by local recycling programs. Make it everyone’s responsibility and make it easy by providing plenty of well-labeled containers to collect recyclables. Eliminate disposable paper and plastic products and encourage the use of reusable products.
How Two Agencies are Promoting Sustainability

Veolia Transportation operates VIVA, an award-winning bus-rapid-transit system with 90 sleek articulated, 40-foot, low-floor buses, on behalf of the York Region Transit (YRT) in York, Canada, a fast-growing suburb of Toronto. As part of its commitment to forward-thinking public transportation and the environment, YRT began investigating alternative fuels for its buses in 2007. Veolia Transportation conducted a rigorous analysis and presented the benefits and negatives of several types of alternative fuels. Once YRT made the decision to use cleaner-burning bio-diesel, Veolia Transportation and YRT worked together to determine the appropriate blend levels based on the seasons and climate. In 2008, YRT began using a bio-diesel fuel blend in all 90 VIVA vehicles, significantly reducing tailpipe emissions and making VIVA an even greener alternative to driving a car.

The Metropolitan Transit System of San Diego (MTS) is another example of an agency taking steps to promote sustainability. Veolia Transportation operates half of the agency’s bus operations and runs operator relief vehicles. Working in partnership with MTS, Veolia Transportation has replaced all 35 of its non-revenue support vehicles with high-efficiency and low-emission hybrid vehicles to further reduce their carbon footprint.

These represent just two examples of agencies and their contractors promoting sustainability. There are countless others across our industry and there will continue to be more as we embrace opportunities to lead the way in reducing carbon output and protecting our environment.

For other ideas on how to help protect our natural resources and improve public health visit www.wfrpc.org/thinkgreen.

Chamber business using eco-friendly practices

I went to the Director of Water and Sewer and asked if we could do something about all the lights being left on in offices and bathrooms when no one was using them.

The Director in turn sent out a memo for us to conserve by turning lights out when not in use, go Okaloosa County.

Louisa Moran
Water & Sewer
Work Order Coordinator

Granite Countertops and Radon Snopes Article

IMPORTANT!

For you and your kids, etc. general information: If you have granite or someday want it *at least have it tested or test it yourself for “RADON” (Kits available at hardware stores.

Happy Sunday,
Charlie

Click here: snopes.com: Granite Countertops and Radon

February 19, 2010 - Greenhouse Gas Accounting

February 19, 2010 | Miami, FL | $325

CEUs: 0.8 | GBCI CE Hours: 8 | Solid Waste I II III: 8.0

FBPE PDHs 0004040: 8.0 | Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm


Course Description

The course will focus on how to establish a GHG inventory and the rules, regulations and protocols surrounding them. The course will also offer an overview of the most accepted standards for GHG emissions reporting and the importance of third-party verification entities.


Objectives

By the end of the course learners will

· Understand the fundamentals of greenhouse gas accounting and the various mechanisms of carbon markets.

· Understand how to establish and assess an organization’s GHG profile and create a GHG inventory.

· List and identify the protocols and regulations associated with GHG accounting

· Describe national and international GHG trends and define what the implications of these trends mean for the future with regards to government policy and business development.

· Understand the built environment’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for reducing emissions in this sector.



Who Should Attend

This course is geared towards anyone interested in GHG management, especially consultants, sustainability managers/officers, and government officials. For instance, an entity asks an environmental consultant to help reduce its GHG emissions by calculating its carbon footprint and developing mitigation strategies. This course will give learners the tools needed to address these kinds of scenarios.



Onsite training is also

available for this course. Contact the course coordinator for details.

Excellence in Environmental Training

3900 SW 63 Blvd ♦ Gainesville, FL 32608

www.treeo.ufl.edu

A Green Valentine from Energy Star

To make your Valentine’s Day even warmer, here are some "warm and fuzzy" tips to snuggle by and more ways that you can get involved in reducing climate change this winter.

Kiss by the Light of a CFL
Shed beautiful light on the one you love by replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lights. Replacing incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs can save $70 a year in energy costs and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. Also look for ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures for shedding light on snuggles inside or illuminating porch-step goodnight kisses.

Cupid’s Got You in Spin Cycle
Fall in love this Valentine’s weekend with an ENERGY STAR qualified appliance. From clothes washers to refrigerators to dishwashers, these handsome appliances offer all the attractive qualities you want while using less energy. Less energy means that you can save on your utility bills, but you can save even more with state rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, water heaters, and HVAC. Clothes washers and refrigerators have an average rebate of roughly $100-$150. The average rebate for dishwashers and room air conditioners is around $50. Rebates vary by state, so visit www.energysavers.gov/rebates to see what’s available in your area. Gotta love a cheap date.

Is Your Envelope Sealed with a Kiss?
The exterior of your home – the outer walls, ceiling, windows, and floor – is called the "envelope" or "shell." Sealing and insulating can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10 percent on total annual energy bills). It will also make your home more comfortable and help your heating and cooling system run more efficiently so that you can cozy up to a loved one. If your attic is accessible and you like home improvement projects, you can Do-It-Yourself with help from our DIY Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR, which offers step-by-step instructions for sealing common air leaks and adding insulation to the attic. You can also hire a contractor who can use special diagnostic tools to pinpoint and seal the hidden air leaks in your home before adding insulation. XOXO.

Make a Hot Date to Change Your Air Filter
...and keep it clean, kids. Heavy use months like January and February are good times to check your HVAC filter. If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool – wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system – leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Come on Baby, Light My Fire
A fireplace that leaks cold air isn’t romantic. Chimneys or furnace flues that penetrate your attic floor have holes or gaps around them that can allow the air in your home to escape through the attic, increasing your energy bill and causing more drafts. Seal hidden air leaks to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Around chimney and furnace flues that can get hot, cover the gaps with metal flashing and caulk small gaps with high temperature caulk. Learn more in the DIY Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR.

Love Your Programmable Thermostat
No one keeps you cozy like your pal PT. The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills – nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings. Check out EPA’s interactive programmable thermostat tool to learn more. Treat PT right and you’ll feel warm with love.

Already taking steps to reduce your energy use? Tell us how you save! Share your story to inspire others to take similar actions.

February 2, 2010 Green Awareness Taskforce Meeting

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Green Awareness Taskforce

Date: Tuesday February 2, 2010
Time: 815am
Location: FWB Chamber Conference Room

Special Presentation: A representative from Norseman Environmental Products to speak about rain barrels & Earth Machine Backyard Composters.

If you have an item for our 2010 Green Awareness Door Prize Bag, please bring to February's meeting. Be sure to bring along - 12 business cards with your 12 items for the Green Awareness Door Prize Bag.


Volunteers needed for Mardi Gras on the Island - February 6, 2010
Recycling at Parade - 10am - 2pm (10) Volunteers
Recycling at Festival - 1p - 5pm (4) Volunteers
Duties: Monitor recycling bins to prevent contamination

Volunteer opportunity for Southeast Recycling Conference at Sandestin Hilton -
Sunday, March 7: 4:30pm - 6:30pm - (1 Volunteer)
Monday, March 8: 7:30am - 6:30pm - 7:30a - (2 Volunteers) 7:30a-12:30p (2 Volunteers) 12:30p-6:30p
Tuesday, March 9: 7:30am - 11:00am - (2 Volunteers) 7:30a - 11:00a

In exchange volunteers will receive an ID badge and have access to sessions as well as food and beverage so that is a really good offer for someone who is interested in attending some of the sessions without paying the registration fee.

Volunteer opportunity for Power Up Expo at Green Awareness Taskforce Booth
March 10 -13
March 10th - 2 Volunteers
March 11th - 2 Volunteers
March 12th - 2 Volunteers
March 13th - 2 Volunteers

(Times will be given at Taskforce Meeting)

Volunteer opportunity for Earth/Arbor Day - Friday April 16th (9:30a-2:00p)
3 Volunteers for booth

I encourage you to attend this meeting and let others know who might be interested in learning more about what our taskforce does.

Tuesday February Agenda:
8:00a-8:15a - Networking/sign-in (remember to bring your reusable coffee mug or water bottle)
8:15a-8:25a - Pledge/introductions
8:25a-845a - Norseman Environmental Products - Rain Barrels & Earth Machine Backyard Composters
8:45a-9:15a - Committee Updates and volunteer reminders
9:15a - Meeting adjourned



Tammy McDaniel
2010 Green Awareness Taskforce Chair
www.gogreenokaloosa.com
850-586-0501
tammy.mcdaniel@gmail.com

Hard Rock Cafe Tip of the Week

Green Team Tip of the Week

Replace That Toxic Shower Curtain

Choose a natural fabric, such as cotton (organic if you can find it) or bamboo, for your next shower curtain and liner.

Know that familiar smell when you open the package and unfold a new vinyl shower curtain? That's the off-gassing of chemicals from polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC). One of the chemical additives, DEHP, a phthalate, is a suspected carcinogen and has been linked to hormonal disruption in humans. An EPA study found that vinyl shower curtains can elevate air toxins in your home for more than a month.

The environment doesn't need more plastics and neither do you. In fact, these days more folks are asking is their shower curtain toxic?

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/3911#ixzz0ccPTcJUc