We work to eliminate industries’ use of toxic chemicals to encourage environmentally sustainable, socially responsible systems of design and production.
Due to rapid advances in technology and explosive sales in consumer electronics, e-waste has become the fastest-growing segment of the municipal waste stream, posing a significant human and environmental threat because it contains many toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium that contaminate our air and waterways. Our Pollution Prevention Program works to leverage the buying power of large institutions in order to expand the market for "greener" electronic products that encourages the development of a sustainable, socially responsible production system in the electronics sector.
Greening HealthcareThe healthcare industry is a source of both healing and harm. Hospitals are home to a number of toxic chemicals that have adverse effects on patient and staff health and safety. We work to support and strengthen hospitals in their efforts to be protectors of public health.
Under current rules, the health effects of chemicals are tested on an unwitting public, and products are removed from the market only after they have been proven to make people sick. We work to promote state policies and legislation that will require companies to prove the safety of their products before they are allowed on the market. We also work to prevent corporations from hiding under the rubric of "trade secrets" to conceal health data on chemicals from the public.