Environment: April 2011 Archives

El Segundo firm selects new bioplastics symbol

By
Kristin Agostoni
on April 22, 2011 2:57 PM | | Comments (0) |
And the winner of the $25,000 prize is ... Laura Howard, a 29-year-old graphic design student at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
symbol.jpg
The judges of a nationwide contest organized by El Segundo-based Cereplast picked Howard's design for a new symbol to identify products made from bioplastics -- which consist of biological material such as vegetable oil and cornstarch, and are not petroleum-based.

Cereplast, which designs and manufactures these plastics, timed the announcement to coincide with Earth Day, which is today.

Howard's symbol resembles a flower, and incorporates a hexagon placed atop two leaves.

Cereplast's Make Your Mark competition was modeled after a 1970 contest by the Container Corporation of America that led to the creation of the now-universal recycling symbol.

"Obviously over time the recycling symbol has evolved," said Nicole Cardi, Cereplast's vice president and marketing and communication. "It's definitely become a symbol of also the green movement in a way."

The bioplastics signifier will be used initially by manufacturers utilizing Cereplast material, Cardi said.

The company announced its winner Thursday night at an event at the Herman Miller showroom in Los Angeles.

Cardi said more than 1,500 designs were submitted and 2.8 million public votes cast to determine the top 200 entries, which were then turned over to a panel of judges.



Another good year for Channel Islands bald eagles

By
Melissa Pamer
on April 19, 2011 2:37 PM | | Comments (1) |
Eaglets_selects_3.jpgThe multi-agency program that's been overseeing restoration efforts for Channel Island bald eagles -- which were essentially wiped out by ocean pollution that originated in the Harbor Area -- announced two big milestones today.

For the first time in 60 years, an eagle pair has nested on Anacapa Island. And also for the first time in more than six decades, a set of triplets was born to an eagle pair nesting on Catalina Island.

Those developments mark continuing success for a recovery effort launched in 2002 by the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program, which is the product of a decade of litigation against the former Harbor Gateway-based Montrose Chemical Corporation. The company dumped more than 100 tons of the chemical DDT into the ocean off White Point from the 1940s until 1971. Underwater cleanup efforts -- overseen by the EPA -- are just getting underway, more than 40 years later.

The eagles were affected by contamination from the DDT and other chemicals that climbed the marine food chain. The shells on their eggs became too delicate and would crack before chicks could be born. The white-headed birds disappeared from the Channel Islands.

In 2002, a restoration effort re-introduced eaglets -- from Alaska and other breeding program -- to the islands. The first eggs hatched successfully in 2006. Now there are a dozen breeding pairs.

Last week, a webcam was set up just in time for to see two chicks hatch in a nest kept by an eagle pair at Sauces Canyon on Santa Cruz Island. The camera is on a different pair than have been documented in the past, but it's still pretty cool!

South Bay residents cast wary eye toward Vernon in contest

By
Eric Bradley
on April 14, 2011 4:02 PM | | Comments (0) |

Beleaguered Vernon can't catch a break.


Vernon, population approximately 100, saw the State Assembly taking steps Wednesday toward dissolving the city into Los Angeles County. A bill seeking to break up Vernon is authored by Assembly Speaker John Pérez, D-Los Angeles, who called the city's corruption "the worst we've seen in this state."


Now Vernon is getting dubious looks from more-populous cities for leading The Mayor's Challenge, a competition between Southern California cities to save water and reduce pollution during April, Earth Month.

On Thursday, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach were sitting in second and third place, respectively.


Residents can make a pledge in the competition by going to www.mywaterpledge.com through the end of the month. The victor city's residents will be eligible for tickets to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games and Disneyland as well as discounted passes to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.


With prizes and pride on the line, some have complained that Vernon is too small to win the contest that is tabulated on a per capita basis.


Steve Creech, vice president of the Wyland Foundation, the nonprofit putting on the contest, said that if Vernon stays in first place it would be co-winner with another larger city.


"The remaining 99 percent of prizes available would go to the next city," Creech said. "And for that matter we would have to see if the vote from Vernon would be authenticated."


Fourth through 10th place on Thursday was occupied by Long Beach, Signal Hill, Villa Park, Gardena, Monrovia, Mission Viejo and Torrance.


A friendly but spirited competition has ensued between South Bay cities for the top spot in The Mayor's Challenge. Redondo Beach Mayor Mike Gin released a video on Wednesday urging residents to participate. Gin appeared in the video with someone dancing in a lobster suit.


Creech appeared sympathetic with Vernon's plight as the tiny city tries to makes its presence large in the contest.


"Somewhere in Vernon is a person who cares," he said.

Hermosa, Redondo rank high in regional water contest

By
Eric Bradley
on April 11, 2011 5:02 PM | | Comments (0) |

Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach rank second and third, respectively, in a regional contest to save water and cut pollution.


Vernon is first as of Monday, according to the Wyland Foundation, which is sponsoring the competition called The Mayor's Challenge.


The contest between Southern California cities runs through the end of April in honor of Earth Month.


The Wyland Foundation will announce the winner on May 3. 


Residents in the victor city will be eligible for tickets to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games and Disneyland as well as discounted passes to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.


Ranking behind the top three cities are Long Beach, Villa Park, Mission Viejo, Monrovia, Torrance, Huntington Beach and Rolling Hills Estates.


Wyland Foundation Vice President Steve Creech said at this point, the standings are fluid.


"A few hundred pledges from any city could easily change the balance of the standings," said Creech.


To make a pledge, go to www.mywaterpledge.com.

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