Consumer Education
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30 Priority Chemicals
 | Type: Checklist |
| Summary: EPA's National Waste Minimization Partnership Program focuses on reducing or eliminating the generation of hazardous waste containing any of 30 Waste Minimization Priority Chemicals. These chemicals are found in hazardous waste and are documented contaminants... |
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A Small Dose of Toxicology
 | Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Glossary - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours - Web site |
| Summary: This interactive poster presents the health effects of common chemicals that includes toxic agents such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, pesticides, lead, mercury, arsenic, metals, solvents and animal plant toxins. It includes a glossary, powerpoints and intera... |
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ABC's of Healthy Schools
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Fact sheet |
| Summary: This is brief brochure provides suggestions for creating a voice for children and creating healthy school environments. |
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Air Module
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Experiment - Fact sheet - Glossary - List - Manual/Handbook - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours - Web site - Workshops |
| Summary: The AMBIENT air module contains segments of lessons based upon materials introduced in a news video. There is situations for activities, a community asthma quiz and key, school survey and glossary as well as a guide to air. AMBIENT provides a systemic approac... |
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Art Safety Training Guide
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: List - Manual/Handbook - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - Web site |
| Summary: This training guide provides basic information for working safely with chemicals and operations in Visual Arts. The guide is intended to supplement, but not replace, the safety orientation for faculty and students in Visual Arts. Included are chapters on pho... |
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Art Supplies Need to be Safe for Children
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - List - Web site |
| Summary: Whether the supplies are intended for home or school, this introduction provides general information on toxics and kids, toxics in arts and crafts materials, plastics in food packaging, and more. |
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Artist Beware: The Hazards In Working With All Art And Craft Materials And The Precautions Every Artist And Photographer Should Take
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Non-fiction, reference
Authors, McCann, Michael, PhD, CIH ISBN 1-59228-592-9
Dr. McCann presents a comprehensive manual on the hards of working with all art and craft materials and the precautions every artist and craftsperso... |
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Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Non-fiction, reference
AuthorsRossol, Monona.
ISBN 1581152043
Monona Rossol provides a comprehenshive guidebook on raw materials used by artists, their reglations, associated risks, and precautions for individual media incud... |
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ATSDR (Agengy for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Language Options - List - Web site |
| Summary: ATSDR Activities in Illinois are only a portion of the valuable information provided at this website. A glossary, an alphabatized index, news, feature articles,tox FAQ's, toxicological profiles, CERCLS Priority lists of harzardous substances and minimal risk l... |
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Buy Green Power
| Grade Level: Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Included in this partnershp is the Guide to Purchasing Green Power. The Web site offers steps to green power purchasing, the types of green power products, considerations, purchasing scope, procurement methods and green power locators. |
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Buyer's Choice
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5 and can be used in social science and math. Students will assess the factors that affect purchases and recognize that a number of economic factors affect consumer choices and that some factors are enviornmental in nature... |
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Case of the Broken Loop
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This mystery (detective) activity from US EPA helps guide learners to recognize ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. Life cycles are introduced and the Garbage Gremlin breaks the loop by tossing out trash instead or recycling or reusing. |
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CHEC's HealtheHouse A Resource for Environmental Health Risks Affecting Children
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Fact sheet - List - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours - Web site |
| Summary: Very interactive site. A virtual house starts the experience, however, explore the products, resources and protecting your kids sections for resources on how to reduce environmental health risks to children in and around the home (and in the classroom). |
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Choose to Reuse: An Encyclopedia of Services, Products, Programs & Charitable Organizations that Foster Reuse
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Recycled Products |
| Summary: Non-fiction
AuthorsNikki and David Goldbeck
ISBN09606138-6-2
Opportunities that address reuse are provided in this encyclopedia. Each resource or service lists suggestions for maintenace or repair where appropriate, rental op... |
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Clean Green Healthy Schools: An Environmental Health and Safety Activities Book for Teachers and Students (March 2003)
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: The goal of the Clean,Green and Healthy Schools Manual is to protect students and the school community's health and safety on campus and in the home. Every student has the right to attend a school whose environment, staff and training protects and nurtures ph... |
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Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Case Study - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the National Park Service and with input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, developed a kit for use when talking with the public about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and... |
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Consume This, Buying That Matters
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Sustainable consumption means that we can continue to use or consume goods and services over time, without depleting the natural resources needed to produce these things. It is about making smart choices that meet consumer needs in less material and pollution... |
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Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, A
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Non-Fiction, Reference
Authors, Ruth Winter, M.S.
ISBN 1-4000-5233-5
This author identifies cosmetic ingredients (direct and indirect) that are found in most cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, both the harmful and desirable incredie... |
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Cost of Cool Video, The
Cradle to Cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors, William McDonough and Michael Braungart
ISBN 0865475873 April 22, 2002
These authors examine the way things are produced and recycled and how humans consume. They want to eliminate waste altogether yet preserve... |
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Detoxify Your Studio
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - List |
| Summary: First hand, practical tips for detoxifying the art studio are provided by a practicing artist. These tips provide good advice for art teachers. |
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Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: This portal helps guide consumers through the process of determing EPP product and service information. |
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Garbage
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: Garbage is a video available from A&E, a production from the History Channel. "Time was, folks just dumped garbage wherever they wanted--buried it in their backyards or threw it in the ocean. In the age of recycling and dwindling resources, these low-tech dis... |
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GLIN Glossary Information Network
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: This glossary is appropriate for elementary through high school students, and is continually expanded. The terms address Great Lakes topics (environment, history, geography, pollution, and careers. They include scientific terms and acronyms. |
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Good Stuff: A behind the Scenes Look at the Things We Buy
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Categories include appliances, cars, fast food, healthy care, meat (might not want to look at this), soap and more. PDFs are provided along with valuable background information. |
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Good Stuff? A Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Things We Buy
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Web site |
| Summary: Have you ever wondered where chocolate comes from, if antibacterial soap is good for your family, or how to recycle an old computer? If you've had these or other questions about the environmental and social impacts of the products you buy and use, Good Stuff i... |
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Got Your Driver's License?
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: Now that you have your driver's license, you have a big responsibility--not only for safely operating your car, but also for protecting the environment. This brochure is developed for teens to help them understand the need to recycle their used motor oil. |
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Green Advertising Claims
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: This 6-page brochure contains information about specific terms used to describe products, incuding "environmentally friendly," "biodegradable," and "ozone friendly" |
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Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home
Green Cleaning: How to Select and Use Safe Janitorial Chemicals
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist |
| Summary: This 14-page pdf provides a guideline for selecting and using janitoral supplies. Included are tables on risks associated with common cleaners (all-purpose, metal, restroom and toilet, and glass cleaners), information on locating preferable products and using... |
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Green Halloween
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: This 2-page pdf provides suggestions for having an environmentally friendly Halloween. |
| View more information on this link |
Green Seal Products Standards and Certifications
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - List - Web site |
| Summary: "The Green Seal is awarded to products that have less impact on the environment and work well. . To earn the Green Seal a product must meet the Green Seal environmental standard for the category as demonstrated by rigorous evaluation and testing and a plant vi... |
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Greening the Government, Executive Order 13101
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: Description of EO 13010 that states requirements for greening the government through waste prevention, recycling, and federal acquisition. Definitions for the purpose of this order are provided. |
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Hazardous Products Substitutes
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3 and can be used in both science and health education. Students will recognize signal words and visual symbols that indicate the presence of hazardous substances; identify "how much" of various products would be dangerous... |
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Hazardous Routes
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5 and can be used in health and English. Students will identify ways people dispose of household hazardous waste; identify the impacts these disposal methods have on health and the environment; suggest safe alternative man... |
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Household Products Database
| Type: Database - Fact sheet - Glossary - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) |
| Summary: The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Household Products Database has been updated and now includes 6000 brand name products. The Household Products Database is a consumer's guide that provides information on the potential health effects of chemicals contai... |
| View more information on this link |
Household Products Database
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Database - Web site |
| Summary: Searchable database of products, ingredients, and material safety data sheets for auto products, inside the home, pesticides, landscape/yard, personal care/use, home maintenance, arts & crafts and pet care. |
| View more information on this link |
How Many Minerals and Metals Does it Take to Make a Light Bulb
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: This "fact sheet" demonstrates the resources that go into creating something as simple as a lightbulb.It is accompanied by lessons. |
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I Buy Different
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: This is part of the Be, Live, Buy Different--Make a Difference Campaign through the World Wildlife Fund and the Center for a New American Dream. It teachers young pele how to make a difference by buying differently. This is appropriately designed and develope... |
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Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) Mercury-Added Products Database
| Type: Database - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Maintained by the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA), this database presents information submitted to IMERC on the amount and purpose of mercury in consumer products. The database is intended to inform consumers, recyclers, policy make... |
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Is Organic Food Worth the Extra Cost?
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Students calculate the amount of pesticide residue in selected foods for two pesticides and determine if these levels are safe. Then they read an article about a research study looking for metabolites of these pesticides in children. Finally, they use this i... |
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Law Requires Review and Labeling of Art Materials Including Children's Art and Drawing Products
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: In 1988 a law was signed by the President that required labeling of hazardous art materials. This article describes the content of the law. |
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Let's Go Green Shopping
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials |
| Summary: This 12-page pdf is downloadable or can be ordered as part of the "Make a Difference Middle School Kithttp://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/education/ordermad-ms.htm |
| View more information on this link |
Life Cycle of a CD or DVD
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Language Options |
| Summary: View the life cycle of a CD or DVD -- from obtaining raw materials through manufacture, packaging, distribution, useful life, and disposal. Learn what life cycle management is and why it is important. Discover some crafts and other ways to reuse CDs and DVDs.... |
| View more information on this link |
Life Cycle of a Cell Phone, The
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Language Options |
| Summary: View the life cycle of a cell phone -- from obtaining raw materials through manufacture, packaging, distribution, useful life, and disposal. Learn what life cycle management is and why it is important. Find suggestions of ways to reuse or recycle your phone an... |
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Life Cycle of a Soccer Ball
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Life Cycle Analysis of the products will consumers understand the impact of the product and their purchases on the environment, not only as it is manufactured, but as it is used and ultimately disposed of. As with any product, making a soccer ball uses natura... |
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Mercury in consumer goods and the waste stream
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Ohio DNR provides a list of household items that may contain mercury. |
| View more information on this link |
Mercury in Your Community and the Environment (A Wisconsin Curriculum)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Facts, lessons, activites and links to national standards accompany general information on mercury in our world and known health issues. This also addresses cultural and religious uses of mercury as well as some of its unique properties. |
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Mercury in Your Home, School and Lake
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: Mercury in lakes and rivers moves up through the food chain. Reduce mercury contamination issues through some simple efforts. This is a kid-friendly format. |
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NAPCOR
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Recycled Products - Web site |
| Summary: NAPCOR's mission is to facilitate PET plastic recycling and promote the usage of PET packaging. The number of new PET plastic containers on the market is increasing every year and so is the number of communities across America that are recycling PET bottles in... |
| View more information on this link |
Needs and Wants (Grades 4-5)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5. Students will recognize the impace of humans on natural systems; make predictions about the impace of certain behaviors and how personal or cultural perspectives affect these behaviors; assess factors that affect consum... |
| View more information on this link |
Needs and Wants (Grades K-3)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3 and can be used in Social Science and English. Students will be able to discriminate between wants and needs, quantiy and quality, necessities and luxuries; evaluate their own motives for buying things; think about the l... |
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Pittsburg Paint's MSDS
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Language Options - List - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) |
| Summary: If you have a product number you can locate the MSDS for your paint, primer or stain from Pittsburg Paint. |
| View more information on this link |
Plastic Lumber Ratings
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: As wise consumers attempting to be environmentally friendly we are often caught wondering about certain products. Once again consumer advocacy groups come through with some resources to help with decision making. Criteria includes composition and recycled co... |
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Poisoned By Painting: The problem of toxic art-supplies
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: The bloody noses in the morning, the dizziness, nausea and headaches it all finally got to me. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was poisoning myself with oil-based paint.This article is a personal account of problems associated with using toxic materials... |
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Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, The
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: The five steps include switching to green cleaning products, introducing green equipment and supplies, adopting green cleaning procedures, using green paper and plastic products, and sharing the responsibility. Instruction for implementation and guidance for... |
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Recycle Lifecycle
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3. Students will define the word recycle, learn to recognize the universal symbols for recycling and be aware that recycling an alternative to disposal. A Plastics Coding Chart is included. |
| View more information on this link |
Recycled Products
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Recycled Products - Web site |
| Summary: This company has a large variety of recycled products that carry your logo or used every day in the classroom and/or office. Not necessarily appropriate for the office, however, intriguing is their recycled PET rope hammock that is manufactured from plastic b... |
| View more information on this link |
Reduce your child's exposure to chemicals
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: In addition to largely unknown chronic effects, many chemicals in common household products pose immediate danger if accidentally ingested. For those reasons, consumers should read labels carefully and choose products that appear to pose the lowest risk. It's... |
| View more information on this link |
Sourcebook for Green and Sustainable Building, A
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Database - Fact sheet - List - Web site |
| Summary: This sourcebook covers energy, water, building materials,and solid waste. Not only are their resources for environmentally friendly places to purchase the materials, but implementation issues are covered, guidelines, and installation. The sources are national,... |
| View more information on this link |
Steel Takes LEED with Recycled Content
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Recycled Products - Web site |
| Summary: The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) is an industry association that promotes and sustains the recycling of all steel products. The SRI educates the solid waste industry, government, business and ultimately the consumer about the benefits of steel's infinite re... |
| View more information on this link |
Stuff Curriculum and Resource Guide
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Glossary |
| Summary: This curriculum packaged complements the book Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things. As an approach to science, social studies and environmental education, this material has a simple premise, that young people are curious about their world. Stuff... |
| View more information on this link |
Stuff The Secret Lives of Everyday Things
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author, John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning ISBN 1-886093-04-0 This 86-page book servers as an introduction to stuff in our everyday lives. Descriptions of how items are made will help us think about the consequences of consu... |
| View more information on this link |
Suppliers of Non-lead Fishing Tackle
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: List |
| Summary: This is a PDF of non-lead fishing tackle suppliers. |
| View more information on this link |
SWANCC
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Recycled Products - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: SWANCC provides programs, educational resources, household hazardous waste recycling information on their website. This is information directly applicable to residents of Northern Cook County, but also valuable as an information resource for other parts on Il... |
| View more information on this link |
Talking Trash Solid Wastes
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: Using the principles of Green Chemistry, this experiment analyzes the trends in the generation and reclamation of solid wastes within the United States over time and it evaluates reasons for making wastes.
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| View more information on this link |
The Story of Stuff
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. Inc... |
| View more information on this link |
The Story of Stuff: How our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors, Annie Leonard
ISBN 978143912566-3 March 2010
Author Annie Leonard presents a startling clear message, that we have too much Stuff, and too much of it is toxic. She outlines five stages of our consumption-driven e... |
| View more information on this link |
There is No Away (Grades 4-5)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Designed for grades 4-5, this lesson will help students recognize that there is no "away" in "throw it away"; identify the destination of the waste they generate at home and at school; identify the negative aspects of dumping or burning trash; learn the "solid... |
| View more information on this link |
Think Twice
Tools for Zero Waste Schools (K-12)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Links for kids and for teachers on zero waste projects include waste reduction, composting, vermi-composting, special topics, pollution prevention and songs. |
| View more information on this link |
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Waste While Back-to-School Shopping
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist |
| Summary: Teachers can reflect upon these suggestions when making up the list of materials students need for the upcoming school year. |
| View more information on this link |
Toxic Art Materials: What Every Artist Should Know
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: For casual hobbyists and professional artists alike, art supplies have become such familiar materials that one rarely stops to seriously consider their specific ingredients. Provided is a discussion on labels. This article is from the 2003 Expo for the Artist... |
| View more information on this link |
Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Recycled Products |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author,Robert Lilienfeld AIN 449001687 The authors campaign to change consumer habits. Recycling is a good thing, but preventing the potential entry of products into the waste stream is far more desirable. Using less stuff... |
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What Can I Do? An Alphabet for Living
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author, Lisa Harrow ISBN 1-931498-66-0 What Can I Do? An Alphabet for Living is a directory for the who's doing what in sustainability education and action around the country. This is a simple guide for learning what in... |
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What's That Stuff
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: What is really in items that we use every day. A collection of articles from Chemical Engineering News magazines provides insight on a variety of products including kitty litter, Jell-o, erasers, sunscreens, fireworks, and much more. |
| View more information on this link |
Where is Away?
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3. Students will recognize that there is no "away" in "throw it away", identify the destination of the waste they generate at home and at school, identify the negative aspects of dumping or burning trash, and learn the "so... |
| View more information on this link |
Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: YES! is a non-profit organization that connects, inspires and empowers young changemakers to join forces for a thriving, just, and sustainable way of life for all. Founded in 1990 by 16-year-old Ocean Robbins and 19-year-old Ryan Eliason, at a time when Nancy... |
| View more information on this link |
Help Desk Questions
| I've been asked to develop a fact sheet discussing the pros and cons of using polystyrene for things such as beverage or food containment. I'm looking for research based information on the environmental and economic aspects of polystyrene use. |
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View Answer |
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As an authoritative source for questions like this, I highly recommend the book The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, which you should be able to obtain through your local library. There is a discussion of styrofoam (polystyrene) on p. 16. For more information about the book, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/060980281X/ref=sib_rdr_dp/104-0579898-7891101.
Some web resources of interest include:
Polystyrene and the Environment (Polystyrene Packaging Council)
http://www.polystyrene.org/environment/environment.html
Expanded Polystyrene (Australia)
http://www.pacia.org.au/Environment/environment7.html
Arguments Against Polystyrene Foam Products
http://www.verdant.net/nofoam.htm
Some more scientifically oriented papers include:
Endocrinically Active Chemicals in the Environment
http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/Pubs/uba3_96.pdf
Plastic Pellets in the Environment: Sources and Recommendations
http://www.epa.gov/owow/OCPD/PLASTIC/plasticpellets.pdf
Technical Factsheet on Styrene
http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/dwh/t-voc/styrene.html
Some journal articles of relevance include the following. You should be able to obtain copies of these through your local library:
Zabaniotou, A; Kassidi, E. (2003) "Life cycle assessment applied to egg packaging made from polystyrene and recycled paper." Journal of Cleaner Production 11(5), 549-559.
Abstract: In the present study, the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for the comparison of two egg packages, from polystyrene and recycled paper, is presented. The input and output streams of mass and energy are examined and the environmental impacts associated with the two systems are analyzed. The application of LCA by using EcoIndicator 95 has made possible the comparison of the environmental impacts of two egg packages. The results of this LCA study are discussed and reveal that the PS packages contribute more to acidification potential, winter and summer smog, while recycled paper egg packages contribute more to heavy metal and carcinogenic substances impact. Nevertheless, it seems that paper eggcups have less environmental impact than the polystyrene ones with the assumption that the accuracy of the results is confined by the credibility of European databases used for primary data.
Ohno, K; Azuma, Y; Nakano, S; Kobayashi, T; Hirano, S; Nobuhara,Y ; Yamada, T. (2001) "Assessment of styrene oligomers eluted from polystyrene-made food containers for estrogenic effects in in vitro assays." Food and Chemical Toxicology 39(12), 1233-1241.
Abstract: Recently, several substances from among the huge numbers of chemicals used by mankind have been implicated as instigators of disrupted endocrine function and related human health problems. Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most frequently used resins in the world, and the styrene oligomer dissolved out from PS has been designated as a potential trigger of estrogen-like activity in the Wingspread Declaration and the Japan Environment Agency's SPEED98 [JEA (Japan Environment Agency) Strategic Problem on Environmental Endocrine Disruptors '98 (SPEED) '98), http://www.env.go.jp/en/pol/speed98/sp98.html]. In order to assess the endocrine disrupting effect of styrene oligomers, we tested
one styrene monomer (SM), three styrene dimers (SDs) and seven styrene trimers (STs), newly isolated from optical isomers, known to dissolve in small amounts from cup noodle containers made of polystyrene by the estrogen receptor binding assay, luciferase reporter gene assay, and human breast cancer cell MCF-7 proliferation assay. In all three tests, none of the SM, SDs and STs showed any significant activity. Accordingly, we concluded that these substances have no estrogenic activity.
Prinsen, MK; Gouko, Nobuaki (2001). "Determination of the Oestrogenic (Uterotrophic) Activity of Extracts of 'General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS)' using Immature Female Rats." Journal of Applied Toxicology 21(3), 235-239.
Abstract: In Japan there is growing concern about the possible adverse effects of consumption of food from styrene containers (mainlythose made from polystyrene paper) due to the alleged oestrogenic activity of styrene oligomers (dimers and trimers), which may migrate into the food. To examine the possible oestrogenic activity of styrene dimers and trimers, extracts were made from 'general purpose polystyrene (GPPS)' and administered orally to immature female rats over a 4 day period. Increase of uterus weight (wet and blotted) was used for assessment of possible oestrogenic activity. To establish the sensitivity of the test method, immature rats were treated with diethylstilboestrol (DES), a well-known oestrogenic compound. It was found that treatment of rats with levels of up to 60 mu g of styrene dimers and 930 mu g of styrene trimers per kilogram body weight per day did not give any statistically significant increase of the uterus weight (wet or blotted), whereas DES caused statistically significant, dose-related increases in uterus weight at levels as low as 0.89 mu g kg super(-1) body weight day super(-1). It was concluded that, compared with the estimated maximum human daily intake of styrene trimers of 1 mu g kg super(-1) body weight day super(-1) from polystyrene food containers, the risk of adverse human health effects with respect to oestrogenicity may be considered negligible. |
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