T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S        J U N E    2 0 0 8

N   E   W   S

The Ann Arbor Art Fair Goes Zero Waste!

You may notice a few changes at the Ann Arbor Art Fair this year: less garbage, for one. Four groups are coming together to make a serious effort at recycling and are introducing a Zero Waste policy at the 49th annual Art Fair held July 16 - 19. The Ecology Center, Recycle Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair and the City of Ann Arbor are spearheading the induction of Zero Waste.

Zero Waste is a campaign started by the GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN) that seeks to redesign the production life cycle of goods and eliminate the waste management business model. The method goes beyond mere recycling and believes in holding manufacturers accountable for where their excess packaging (usually trash) ends up. The goal is to construct a circular production model that uses fewer resources and eliminates waste.

Attempts at Zero Waste have sprung up across the nation and in Canada on a municipal level and on college campuses. The Zero Waste International Alliance is a committee spreading the message as far as New Zealand, Australia and India.

The 2008 Art Fairs will be a daunting platform to launch the innovative idea, as festival promoters predict roughly 500,000 fairgoers in attendance. Local groups will promote the policy this year by increasing the amount of recycling stations, signs and educational opportunities – to some, a vast improvement from past Art Fairs.

Began in 1960, the Ann Arbor Art Fair is now recognized as one of the best in North America. It was recently voted the fourth best art fair in the nation by AmericanStyle magazine. This year's fair features hundreds of artists and an expanded performing arts stage. It is spread over five days on four main streets, almost forming a collection of four smaller art fairs within one.

Organizers are still looking for volunteer members of the Green Team, who assist fairgoers with proper recycling techniques and educate them on sustainable waste management. Please contact Aaron Gold at programs@artfair.org or by calling (734) 994-5260 to learn how to volunteer.

back to top

Find Local, Healthy, Sustainable Food in the Hospital

Hospitals across the country are changing their food buying to improve patient health and to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. For 127 US hospitals, the words “hospital food” and “healthy communities, healthy environment” are one and the same, according to a new report released by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH). The “Healthy Food in Health Care” report outlines concrete steps being taken by hospitals regionally that support the national trend to change their food buying practices toward more sustainably produced, healthier choices for patients, staff and visitors.

“Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo joins 127 facilities, in 21 states across the country, in pledging to source local, nutritional, sustainable food,” says Ruth Blackburn, MPH, RD, Director of the Ecology Center’s Healthy Food in Healthcare Project. “These hospitals recognize that their healthcare food dollars are an important investment in preventive medicine.”

The Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge outlines the steps to be taken by the health care industry to improve the health of their patients, local communities and the environment. This Pledge Report details the concrete food purchasing steps these facilities are making. For example:

• 80 facilities (70%) are purchasing up to 40% of their produce locally
  
  
• Over 90 facilities (80%) are purchasing rBGH-free milk
  
  
• 100% have increased fresh fruit and vegetable offerings
  
  
• 50 facilities (44%) are purchasing meat produced without the use of hormones or antibiotics

In Michigan, Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo became the first Michigan hospital to sign the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge just this month. In addition to purchasing rBGH-free milk, Bronson has created a food service “green team” that regularly evaluates purchases, and will be purchasing produce from local farms this summer. A number of other Michigan hospitals in the Detroit area, Chelsea, Muskegon, Traverse City and Grand Rapids are also recognizing the link between the health of their patients and the health of their communities by supporting farmers markets at the hospital or purchasing directly from local farmers.

Hospitals around the country are linking their operations to impacts on human and environmental health, and an emerging part of this trend is increased attention to food service. Support for changing food service practices is coming from national organizations including the American Dietetic Association with their 2007 Primer on Sustainable Food Systems and Emerging Roles for Food and Nutrition Professionals. Also in 2007, the American Public Health Association recognized the urgency of transforming our food system and passed a policy to promote environmental sustainability, improve nutritional health and ensure social justice.

“By supporting local, sustainable food systems, these facilities are promoting health at the individual, community and global level,” stated Ms. Blackburn. “Across the country, pledged hospitals are continuously working to address the public and environmental impacts from current industrialized food production practices by sourcing nutritious, local sustainable food.”

To learn more about HCWH’s work on food and other issues related to health care www.healthyfoodinhealthcare.org.

back to top

Future Legislators Have the Power to Protect Children

Building on the success of HealthyToys.org and our long-standing work to reform chemical policy, the Ecology Center is working in coalition with health and environmental organizations to launch the 2008 “Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids” Chemicals Policy Platform. The HMHK Platform, which was just sent to all candidates for the Michigan House of Representatives, asks future legislators to commit to protecting Michigan children from toxic chemicals in children’s products.

The 2008 election is an optimal time to engage candidates around issues of toxics in children’s products. Last year’s stream of recalls focused the attention of Michigan citizens and lawmakers on the issue of toxics in toys. Unfortunately, federal policies have failed to protect children from toxics in products so we are asking current and future Michigan legislators to be leaders by signing on to the HMHK Platform.

The HMHK Platform asks candidates to support five key measures designed to protect children’s health: support the elimination of added toxics -- specifically lead, mercury, and arsenic -- in children’s products; require the state to create and regularly update a comprehensive list of chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive or developmental harm, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, or which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; require manufacturers to publicly identify children’s products that contain chemicals of concern; authorize the state to participate in the proposed Interstate Clearinghouse for Safer Chemicals; and create tax incentives, state assistance and partnerships for development and use of safer chemicals and products, including support for Green Chemistry programs, which will foster Michigan’s green economy.

Supporters of the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids Platform include the Ecology Center, Clean Water Fund, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center, Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan, the Association for Children’s Mental Health, and Voices for Earth Justice.

More information on the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids Platform can be found online at www.healthymichigan.net. Candidates and citizens can contact Rebecca Meuninck, Ecology Center Environmental Health Policy Associate, (734) 761-3186 ext. 125, or rebecca@ecocenter.org.

back to top

EcoRide 2008 Roundup!

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Sunday for the EcoRide! It started off rainy, but by late morning it turned into a beautiful day for everyone who ended up at Hudson Mills to enjoy food provided by Silvio's Organic Pizza, Whole Foods, and the People's Food Co-op and music by Gone Cajun and Ken Kozora (whose music was solar-powered!).

Together we've already raised over $31,000! You can still help us meet our goal of reaching $35,000 by continuing to fundraise through July 20 (at www.firstgiving.com or mail pledges to the Ecology Center). Remember that there are fantastic prizes for the top fundraisers, including a brand new bike for the individual who raises the most money!

Get rained out on Sunday? Do an honor ride! Raise pledges, ride on a sunny day of your choice, and be a part of Michigan's biggest bike-a-thon for the environment (not to mention that you can still qualify for prizes!).

A special thanks for Wheels in Motion for providing SAG support during the soggy ride; to Two Wheel Tango for pre-ride tune-ups (and the grand prize bike!); and to all of the volunteers and sponsors who made this event happen. Also, if you missed the recycled bicycle tire inner tube wallets and clothing at the event, you can get in touch with Road Rash Rubber at www.roadrashrubber.com.

If you've got any feedback on the event, or if you'd like to send us a testimonial to use on the website, please email me anytime. Thanks again for your support!

By the way, we have some adult small t-shirts left over, so if you missed out on getting one at the ride and are interested, please let us know!

back to top

EcoLink — June 2008
An online publication of the Ecology Center

Editor: Ted Sylvester
Layout & Production: Melissa Sutton
Layout Assistant: Andy Balaskovitz

Comments and questions are welcome.
Please send to EcoLink Editor

Take Action Donate Events About Membership Newsletters Press Publications Links Contact

117 N. Division St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1580 USA • phone 734·761·3186 • fax 734·663·2414 •