Content about Environmental Issue

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop is reaffirming its goal to reduce its effects on the environment, particularly in Massachusetts, the company said.

The Ahold USA banner, which operates 131 stores in the state, said it renewed its partnership with the Environmental League of Massachusetts as a member of the ELM Corporate Council and reiterated its commitment to help further the goals of a state law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020 and 85% by 2050. In 2008, the chain announced plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% by 2015.

DSN profiled six companies that sell on their American-made heritage as part of its "Made in America" report.

GREEN TOYS
MILL VALLEY, Calif. — Green Toys makes a line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled, food-safe plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. The products not only help fuel the “Made in America” movement, the use of recycled materials helps distinguish the toy manufacturer by reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

CHATSWORTH, Caif. — Natural personal care manufacturer Nature’s Gate has partnered with international nonprofit organization WaterAid, a charity dedicated to improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

As part of this partnership, Nature’s Gate will complete eight new rainwater-harvesting systems and deliver sustainable supplies of safe, clean water to at least 4,000 people by the end of 2012, the company stated.

BOWLING GREEN, Fla — Organix-South has introduced TheraNeem Naturals facial oil serums featuring the company’s exclusive adaptogenic blend of concentrated supercritical extracts and a blend of oils to feed the skin.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer recently joined the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership. Created as a voluntary partnership, GreenChill members focus on reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the environment and ultimately people's health. By joining GreenChill, Meijer is pledging to meet higher standards that go beyond the regulatory requirements to protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Two Weis stores containing a new, environmentally efficient design have earned environmental certifications awards from the GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership, a voluntary Environmental Protection Agency alliance with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change, the grocer announced Wednesday.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — PepsiCo Beverages Canada has introduced the 7UP EcoGreen bottle, Canada's — and North America's — first soft drink bottle made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic, the company reported Wednesday.

MADISON, N.J. — Ragweed and mold are driving increased allergies across America, Quest Diagnostics reported Monday.

In the study, sensitization rates to common ragweed and mold increased the most of the 11 common allergens evaluated over a four-year period. Sensitization to common ragweed grew 15% nationally, while mold grew 12%. By comparison, sensitization to the 11 allergens combined increased 5.8%.

ATLANTA — The number of people diagnosed with asthma in the United States grew by 4.3 million between 2001 and 2009, according to a new Vital Signs report released earlier this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2009, nearly 1-in-12 Americans were diagnosed with asthma. In addition to increased diagnoses, asthma costs grew from about $53 billion in 2002 to about $56 billion in 2007, representing a 6% increase. The explanation for the growth in asthma rates is unknown.

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — Nice-Pak Products recently announced the transformation of its Mooresville, Ind., manufacturing plant into a “zero waste to landfill” facility — the plant now converts excess waste into energy that produces steam heat for Indianapolis.

BOSTON Diabetes could partially be related to air pollution, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston and published in this month’s issue of the journal Diabetes Care, found that diabetes in adults was consistently correlated with particulate air pollution even after adjusting for known risk factors, such as obesity and ethnicity.