Ottawa - Sierra Club Canada is calling on the Canadian Government to review a pesticide deemed perilously toxic to honey bees and recently declared illegal for sale in the United States.The pesticide is believed to impair bees' ability to reproduce. Its approval was fast tracked by Health Canada in 2008 without public consultations for use on fruits and vegetables. The pesticide spirotetramat (manufactured by Bayer CropScience under the trade names Movento and Ultor) was invalidated by a US federal court this past month as a result of a suit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Xerces Society. "We are asking the government to follow through with its strategy of taking its policy cues from the United States and rescind ... continue reading.

Researchers have found that waste from the textiles industry can be converted into rich, agricultural compost.  A new report published in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution states that a species of earthworm, together with animal manure, can thrive and transform solid sludge into compost. The textile industry creates an abundance of sludge due to its high production and treatment of wastewater.  Solid sludge is difficult to dispose of.The researchers, from the University of Science and Technology in India, have found that the vermicompost process can create compost in 180 days.Now, only six percent of material flows end up in carpet products, as mentioned in an earlier article this week, 'Green Jobs... in Manufacturing?'.  It doesn't take much to ... continue reading.

WWF Canada has a really great section on their web site about how you can easily remember to reduce your plastic bag usage. Sometimes, the #1 barrier to everyday planet-friendly living is simply remembering. Put this little image wherever you need a reminder – by your kitchen sink, on your door, key chain, steering wheel, transit pass – and be planet-friendly everyday! Also, send WWF Canada an email with your address and get this nifty green reminder sticker. ... continue reading.

Media release from Fleming College: Lindsay ON - While International Polar Year officially ends this month, Fleming College's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) will continue its research into the treatment of wastewater in cold climates. The results of this scientific research will not only be used to help improve northern communities, but will also be used by the United Nations in developing countries. "For the last two years we have conducted extensive research into how improvements can be made to ensure communities in cold climates have proper and effective public sanitation," said CAWT's lead scientist, Brent Wootton. "It's an incredible opportunity for a Canadian college to make such a substantial global contribution, bringing changes and improvements to communities around ... continue reading.

How do you get tough on people who refuse to recycle? If you live in Toronto, you slap them with a $105 fine. Starting in 2009, the City of Toronto will launch Canada's toughest action to force people who refuse to use their blue boxes to get with the program. If they don't, they'll be forced to pay. The city won't necessarily take a heavy-handed approach -- at first. Homeowners who don't put out their blue boxes will receive a letter encouraging them to start. Continued refusal to participate in recycling will then result in a visit from a bylaw officer. After that, the resident could be fined. For years the city has undertaken educational efforts to promote recycling among ... continue reading.

TORONTO, Aug. 19 /CNW/ - When most Canadians think of the number 19, things that come to mind include: the age when most Canadians can legally consume alcohol, the atomic number for potassium and Steve Yzerman's retired hockey jersey number, just to name a few. However, Clean Air Foundation wants Canadians to associate the number 19 with something else - air pollutants. After recent consultation with Environment Canada, Clean Air Foundation's signature Car Heaven program recently reported that a car built before 1995 emits 19 times more smog-forming emissions than 2004 and newer vehicles - now that's something to think about. "This truly is a staggering fact," said Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director of the Clean Air Foundation. "Our hope is ... continue reading.

PROTECT CANADA'S RESOURCES, WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENT From September 20-28, 2008, join over 50,000 Canadians for the 15th Annual TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. This national event invites people to participate by removing harmful debris from the local shorelines of ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, or oceans near you. Participating in a shoreline cleanup is easy: choose a location, date and time, and register today by visiting www.vanaqua.org/cleanup or calling 1-877-427-2422. If animals could remove our garbage, they would. Until they're able to, you can help by joining the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. All registrants will receive cleanup supplies and the first 50,000 will also receive a free T-shirt. Registration ends August 31, 2008. See you on the shorelines in September! ... continue reading.

National solution brings government, not-for-profit, public and private organizations together in a concerted effort OTTAWA, June 4 /CNW/ - The Honourable John Baird announced today that the Clean Air Foundation has been chosen to lead a new national vehicle scrappage program. Beginning in January 2009, the Clean Air Foundation will partner with other not-for-profit, private and public organizations in an effort to tangibly prevent emissions, improve air quality and protect the climate by getting old, higher-polluting cars permanently off the road. "We are thrilled to be leading this program," said Ersilia Serafini, Executive Director of the Clean Air Foundation. "Car Heaven is the most successful scrappage program in Canada and we look forward to working with additional local programs to ... continue reading.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadian volunteers will sweep through their local communities during PITCH-IN Week's Operation: Clean Sweep April 21-27, 2008, armed with free large yellow PITCH-IN Week garbage/recycling bags. They will clean up unsightly litter and illegal dumping sites that plague our communities, and undertake over 12,000 other educational and action based eco-projects during the annual campaign organized by PITCH-IN CANADA. The 42nd annual PITCH-IN Week campaign involves volunteers from schools, community groups, youth groups, business improvement associations and many more community based organizations who will participate in projects ranging from cleanups and fix ups in their communities, composting and recycling programs, tree planting, eco-fairs, energy conservation, and restoration of the natural environment. ... continue reading.

It swirls. It grows. It's a massive, floating 'garbage patch.'Located in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii and measuring in at roughly twice the size of Texas, this elusive mass is home to hundreds of species of marine life and is constantly expanding. It has tripled in size since the middle of the 1990s and could grow tenfold in the next decade. Although no official title has been given to the mass yet, a popular label thus far has been "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch."Read the article from the Tyee.ca ... continue reading.