It has taken some time, but it appears that the big companies and entrepreneurs are finally putting some positive environmental projects together, even in light of a poor economy. One example is an Oregon-based plastics recycler that claims to be the first company in the nation to convert unwanted unrecyclable plastics back into crude oil and send it to a refinery for commercial processing.

The plastics they have used for this project are problem materials so this is good news for the agriculture community. The plastics are ag film that cover plastic silage bales, nursery plastics, and low quality plastics that are rejects in other markets. The synthetic crude oil this company is reclaiming can be refined for a variety of uses. The oil can be refined and used to make food containers as well as gasoline, diesel and lubricants. If this company is successful, and others follow in their footsteps this would be a huge incentive for everyone in the nation to recycle plastics. Plastics traditionally have been a low priority and low value material. Putting a demand on non food and beverage plastic containers would certainly help to reduce our need for imported crude. The company expects to increase production by 2012.

Another announcement came recently from S.C. Johnson. They are removing the controversial chemicals called phthalates from Windex, Shout, Pledge and other products and are also promising to disclose all ingredients on the labels of their products. Phthalates are chemicals that may interfere with the hormone system and linked to genital abnormalities in newborns. The company issued a statement saying they believed that the chemicals they use are safe, but are removing them because of consumer concerns. How many giant companies take this kind of action instead of hiding or bending the truth?

The only other company selling cleaning chemicals that lists all the ingredients on the label has been Seventh Generation. This move is significant given that S.C. Johnson products are used in 99 million American homes.

The S.C. Johnson household cleaners may still contain harmful or strong ingredients, but listing them on the label and phasing out the phthalates is a great first step in the move to healthier living. By reading the label, people with allergies, lung disease or families with small children will benefit by being able to make better shopping choices. A trip to the drug store or supermarket shouldn’t be a guessing game.

Recently new government research shows great improvements in children’s lead levels. Since 2004, levels have fallen dramatically from 9 percent of children with high levels to 1.4 percent. There are still sources of lead in homes and should be identified and removed. Common sources are imported toys with lead paint, old lead water pipes, paint chips around windows and imported venetian blinds. Lead was removed from paint products in the late 1970s but older homes may have been painted over with latex and could be chipping. The dust may be released into the air where we breath it.

Randy Tuchtenhagen is the solid waste officer for Freeborn County.