U.S. Muslim Leader Imam Hassan Qazwini: Selfish pollute environment; Don’t hunt for fun

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy (above left) of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini (center) to an eager audience of mostly Christians for a living room chat.

Rev. Warren Geier (right) of Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, MI was among several Lutheran pastors on hand.

Imam Qazwini answered a wide range of questions including the murder of many of his family members in Iraq, the War in Iraq, hunting, interfaith environment projects and common perceptions and misconceptions between religions. (Photos by Greg Peterson)
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Imam Hassan Qazwini: Humans are selfish and dont treat the environment with justice – its the responsibility of all humans and all religions to respect the environment

The Michigan Earth Keeper Initiative has always promoted interfaith connections – and America's top Muslim Imam brought just that message to Marquette, MI

Talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Verbatim comments by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

In the Quran God says:

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Thahara alfasadu feealbarri waalbahri bima kasabat aydee alnnasiliyutheeqahum baAAda allathee AAamiloolaAAallahum yarjiAAoona. Quran (Ar-Rum: verse 41)

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Quran (Ar-Rum: verse 41) translated:

Corruption (Mischief) has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil). Quran (Ar-Rum: verse 41)
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Corruption has appeared on the sea and on the land due to what the man did – or what the man does.

Meaning that God created this very beautiful, splendid planet. And he gave it to us as a gift. But he asked us not to corrupt it, not to ruin it, not to destroy it. Use it for our benefit.

Did you know that in this country, we only form five percent of the worlds population, but we consume 25 percent of the worlds energy. What does this mean? This means that I am taking my own share – yet I am taking the share of five other people in this world. I am using my own share plus the share that belongs to five other people – I am consuming.

It means that I am stepping over my limits. And I am doing such injustice to the environment. Why? Simply because I am selfish. I want to enjoy myself. I dont care about the environment. I dont care about others and I want to use everything for my own benefit only.

Artwork by Esteban Barahona of San José, Costa Rica and courtesy Wikipedia

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I always remind my friend – I say many of you love hunting. How many of you hunt?
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Answering the Imams question – news reporter Greg Peterson says I am growing my beard (for deer season) right now.
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Imam Hassan Qazwini continues:

Hunting is a hobby that many people love to do.

In Islam, my religion, two people can hunt only.
A hunter – meaning whose career is hunting, someone who makes a living out of hunting.
And the second one: A man who is wandering the desert or the woods. And he got so hungry, and he could not find anything to eat, he went and he hunted something. He ate. Thats fine.

Photo by Greg Peterson

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But for someone to do it as a hobby – its prohibited (in Islam).
Why?

Because God allowed me, permitted me as a human being, he gave me the right to take the life of an innocent animal only when I need it. When I need to fill my stomach. When I am hungry. Or when I need to make a living because I have to make a living.

But for me to go out and enjoy myself with the cost of killing an innocent animal – God says: Here your freedom is over. You can not take the life of an innocent animal simply because you wanted to enjoy yourself. Simply because you wanted to have some fun.

But obviously, you may tell me: I am not going to waste it. I will take it.

I know, but what was my incentive when I hunted this animal. My incentive was to enjoy myself not because I was hungry.

My point that I am trying to say is this: That God want this equilibrium to be kept and to be preserved.
We Muslims refrain from eating so many kind of fish – the kind of fish that does not have scale on the skin – we cannot eat. Why?

Because we know that if we are allowed to eat everything in the ocean then the balance the equilibrium in the ocean will be upset.
Therefor – not only my well-being – the well-being of the environment will be in danger.

Photo by Greg Peterson

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So the bottom line is – that Islam is one of the religions that emphasizes protecting the environment.

You can use from the environment as much as you need – not as much as you enjoy.
You can use the environment as much as you need – not as much as you enjoy.

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Related Links:
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Mosque photo courtesy the Islamic Center of America website

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America

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Critic of Imam Hassan Qazwini:

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Quran and the environment:

http://www.blogtoplist.com/religion/blogdetails-17864-3.html

http://theislamicscience.blogspot.com/2007/04/man-and-pollution.html

http://Quran.al-islam.com/Targama/DispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=30&nAya=41&nSeg=1&l=eng&t=eng

http://www.Quranexplorer.com/?gclid=CISVuKeYw5YCFSMeDQodMnDFKw

http://uniqueislam.com/MAN%20AND%20POLLUTION.htm

http://www.islamforall.net/qur%27an.htm

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/Qur'an/scislam.html

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1157962482299&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience%2FHSELayout

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Saddam Hussein:

http://www.answers.com/topic/saddam-hussein

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Movie "W" by Oliver Stone:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/02/georgebush.usa

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1175491

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg7vwicPx98

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Imam Hassan Qazwini taped NPR interview May 12, 2005 on opening of new Islamic Center of America Mosque in Dearborn – the largest in the U.S.

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Quran explained by Wikipedia:

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Wikipedia Islam, Quran & Allah related artwork by Esteban Barahona of San José, Costa Rica:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Allah-eser2.png

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Esteban.barahona

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:IslamSymbolAllah.PNG

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Dcp7323-Edirne-Eski_Camii_Allah.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Allah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Allah-eser2.png

http://anagami.deviantart.com

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Quran photos new & old:

http://www.bornrich.org/entry/13th-century-quran-sold-for-a-world-record-at-christies

http://foreninger.uio.no/mss/bilder/quran%20001.jpg

http://foreninger.uio.no/mss/bilder/quran%20002.jpg

http://foreninger.uio.no/mss/bilder/quran%20004.jpg

http://foreninger.uio.no/mss/bilder/quran%20006.jpg

http://foreninger.uio.no/

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Mohammad photos on the University of North Florida website:

http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/core1images/muhammad-westernimage.jpg

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Prophet Muhammad & Other Islamic Prophets on Wikipedia:

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Wikipedia article on Karbala, Iraq:

Wikipedia article on "People from Karbala" (Iraq):

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Muslim 99 names for God: Al-Wadud isThe Loving One:

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Articles about Muslims & Quran: Muslims believe there are five superior messengers - Mohamad, Jesus, Moses, Noah and Abraham:

http://www.shiatv.net/search_result.php?search_id=Blessing

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Imam Hassan Qazwini NPR interview May 12, 2005 on opening of new Islamic Center of America Mosque in Dearborn – the largest in the U.S. (Recording of NPR interview)

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Photo courtesy NMU website

Mohey Mowafy
NMU Health & Nutrition Professor
906-249-9133 (hm)
906-227-2366 (wk)
Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
201C Physical Education Instructional Facility
Began teaching at NMU in 1976
mmowafy@nmu.edu

NMU Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy is member of speakers bureau with talks on biodiversity:

Mohey Mowafy, a 63-year-old Northern Michigan University professor, brought 32 students to the Democratic Party rally with former Pres. Bill Clinton & an effort to recruit Rudy Giuliani into presidential bid:

Meet NMU Professors:

NMU Presidents Council & Prof. Mohey Mowafy:

Northern Michigan University Professor Mohey Mowafy on health and nutrion:
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Lutheran Campus Ministry – Marquette, MI
http://www.nmulutherans.org

Rev. Jon Magnuson, founder & executive director of the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute, welcomes Imam Hassan Qazwini to the Lutheran Campus Ministry house in Marquette, MI.

U.S. Islamic Leader Imam Hassan Qazwini: Human race, religions have lots in common, few differences

Important Message from the Leader of Largest Mosque in North America – Imam Hassan Qazwini: Major world religions and people have more in common than differences

Imam Hassan Qazwini, leader of the Islamic Center of America

(Photo by Greg Peterson)

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The interfaith Earth Keeper Initiative in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has always promoted interfaith connections – and America's top Muslim Imam brought just that message to Marquette, MI.

Thies video is the first of several with excerpts from a heart-felt and candid conversaion between northern Michigan residents (most Christians) and U.S. Muslim leader Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlorian House in Marquette, Michigan.

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy (above left) of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini to an eager audience of mostly Christians for a living room chat.

Imam Qazwini answered a wide range of questions including the murder of many of his family members in Iraq, the War in Iraq, hunting, interfaith environment projects and common perceptions and misconceptions between religions. (Photo by Greg Peterson)

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Imam Hassan Qazwini:

I was born in Iraq (1964) in a city called Karbala. Its a holy city in Iraq. After that I went to Kuwait and then to Iran. (studied in Iran). In 1992 I came to the United States."

"Up until I came to the United States in 1992, I knew there were Christians in Iraq but I never had any interaction with Christians. I never had any interaction with Jews in Iraq. I lived my own inner world. In Karbala, everybody is Muslim."

"There were Christians, there were Jews and obviously other denominations in Iraq, but I lived my own inner world. In Karbala, everybody is Muslim, so I really did not have any interaction beyond my little world."

"It was in the United States when I have my first encounter with non-Muslims.

Iman Hassan Qazwini spoke candidaly to about 25 people at the Lutheran Campus Ministry home in Marquette. In one of several lighter moments, Imam Qazwini urged everyone to see the new Oliver Stone movie "W" about President George W. Bush. (Photos by Greg Peterson)

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Imam Hassan Qazwini told a story about riding in a car with his brother in California and stopping into a busy Christian church – and discovering that all religions believe the concept of love:

He said to Mulsims – Jesus is as respected and revered as Mohamad.
Imam Hassan Qazwini said all religions and peoples basically hold the same values – the same beliefs.

We passed by a church in a city called West Covina. So I see a church, it was Sunday, it was a church and the parking lot was full. Probably there was over 300 to 400 cars. So I asked my brother What was going on here? He said the pastor is giving a sermon.

I said Can we go? He says What? I said Can we go in? He said you want to go in, really? I said Yes really. He says – he wanted to say, he didnt say – out of respect – he wanted to say: Are you out of your mind? But he didnt say that. (Laughter from audience)

He said Are you sure you really want to go inside the church?
I said Yes. He said What do you do? I said Come on, Im not going to covert to Christianity. Whats going on here? (laughter) I said I have a chance to see what does the pastor have to say when he speaks to this congregation.

I know what I tell my, what I say to my congregation What I preach to my congregation. I want to see what he says. So we went in and it was a beautiful church and the pastor was speaking. There was at least 400 to 500 people listening.
And I listened but at that time my English was not that good. My brother was occasionally translating.

But, all I heard him talking about was love. Jesus loving you. You love Jesus. And about the concept of love. So as hes talking I am listening.

I said to myself Look, in our religion we also talk about love.
Muslims believe that God has 99 names. And one of his names is Al-Wadud. And Al-Wadud is The Loving One.

I said to myself Look almost everything he is talking about is there in my religion. And how similar we look. And for every word he says quoting Jesus. I have a word to quote from Mohamad. As Muslims, Jesus to us – he is a prophet as well."

"He (Jesus Christ) is as respected as Mohamad and as revered as Mohamad because we Muslims believe there are five superior messengers – Mohamad, Jesus, Moses, Noah and Abraham.

So we place Jesus almost in the same place – or status – as we place Mohamad.

In my mind as I am listening (to the Christian pastor) These words he was uttering are resonating in my mind. And reflecting my own faith system.

An Iman of Many Gestures: However the biggest gesture from Imam Hassan Qazwini was a message of love, peace, respect and common ground to all the World's major religions. (Photos by Greg Peterson)

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When we do not see each other, when we do not interact with each other. We think of each other – that we are weird. I think you are weird. You may think that I am weird."

"You may thing that I harbor some very weird thoughts. I could be a very weird person. I could be someone who does not think like you think. And probably I would have the same thought about you.

But when we meet, and we mingle, and we exchange thoughts, we find how striking our similarities are.

"Be Muslims, Christians, Jews or what else – non-denominational – basically we hold the same values – the same beliefs. And we worship God with different tongues and different languages and different stlyes – but the direction is the same.
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Related Links:
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Mosque photo courtesy the Islamic Center of America website

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America

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Critic of Imam Hassan Qazwini:

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Wikipedia article on Karbala, Iraq:

Wikipedia article on "People from Karbala" (Iraq):

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Muslim 99 names for God: Al-Wadud isThe Loving One:

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Articles about Muslims & Quran: Muslims believe there are five superior messengers - Mohamad, Jesus, Moses, Noah and Abraham:

http://www.shiatv.net/search_result.php?search_id=Blessing

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Imam Hassan Qazwini NPR interview May 12, 2005 on opening of new Islamic Center of America Mosque in Dearborn – the largest in the U.S. (Recording of NPR interview)

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Photo courtesy NMU website

Mohey Mowafy
NMU Health & Nutrition Professor
906-249-9133 (hm)
906-227-2366 (wk)
Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
201C Physical Education Instructional Facility
Began teaching at NMU in 1976
mmowafy@nmu.edu

NMU Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy is member of speakers bureau with talks on biodiversity:

Mohey Mowafy, a 63-year-old Northern Michigan University professor, brought 32 students to the Democratic Party rally with former Pres. Bill Clinton & an effort to recruit Rudy Giuliani into presidential bid:

Meet NMU Professors:

NMU Presidents Council & Prof. Mohey Mowafy:

Northern Michigan University Professor Mohey Mowafy on health and nutrion:
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Lutheran Campus Ministry – Marquette, MI
http://www.nmulutherans.org

Rev. Jon Magnuson, founder & executive director of the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute, welcomes Imam Hassan Qazwini to the Lutheran Campus Ministry house in Marquette, MI.

Fly a kite, family picnic: Make plans for Lake Superior Day July 20, 2008 by Lake Superior Binational Forum

Make your Lake Superior Day plans now: July 20, 2008 celebrate the world's largest, cleanest freshwater lake – annual event sponsored by Lake Superior Binational Forum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada

Celebrate Lake Superior Day on Sunday, July 20, 2008

Whats better than a July picnic on a hot, sandy beach next to the worlds largest freshwater lake?

A picnic and a Lake Superior celebration!

Individuals and families, churches and kids, communities and clubs, and businesses and industries hold activities or events that celebrate Lake Superior Day, held annually on the third Sunday in July (July 20 this year).

Can you do something that symbolizes your own connection to the lake on that day?

Lake Superior Day was started in the early 1990s to highlight the importance of this great water body to the basins environment and economy.

The Lake Superior Binational Forum promotes this basin-wide event to highlight the special connections people have to this unique world treasure.

Many events have been held to educate or entertain people about lake issues, special places, and recreational opportunities.

You are invited to hold activities or events that celebrate this world-class lake.

This year the theme is Lets Go Fly a Kite! to symbolize clean energy sources such as wind power.

Organize your group or family to fly a kite at your favorite beach or park on July 20!

Click on this link for more information about flying a kite on Lake Superior Day.

Families fly kites made from homemade materials off the deck of the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth.

Photo (above) from Minnesota Sea Grant Dec. 2007 newsletter: Making a Great Lake Superior by Sharon Moen.

Photo by Marie Zhuikov

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Last year almost 45 groups and communities participated in some way, including special events such as dragon boat races, beach clean ups, musical concerts, library displays, church services, and signed proclamations that designate the third Sunday in July as Lake Superior Day.

Contact the Lake Superior Binational Forum to receive free color postcards and buttons to give to your Lake Superior supporters at your event.

The Forum's website offers ideas about how the day was celebrated last year and what you can do to celebrate Lake Superior. Click on Current Projects. New information is posted regularly.

For more information email organizers – or call (715) 682-1489

University of Minnesota Sea Grant Foundation photo

South Carolina Map – Geology.com

Lake Superior's surface covers 31,700 square miles, or about the size of South Carolina.

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The lake is so big it could hold all the water from the other four Great Lakes, plus three more lakes the size of Lake Erie.

The Johnson-Sea-Link deep-sea scientific research submersible
Photo courtesy the Public Library of Science journal via Wikipedia

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In 1985, scientists using a submersible vessel descended for the first time to the deepest part, which is near the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula.

Lake Superior s deepest point is 1,332 feet, which would almost cover the Sears Tower in Chicago, one of the worlds tallest buildings.

Sears Tower photo by Western Michigan University student Meghan Hurley of Glenview, Illinois.

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The lake stretches approximately 350 miles from west to east, and 160 miles north to south. If you could travel along the entire Lake Superior shoreline, you would travel 1,826 miles, or the distance from Duluth to San Francisco.

The Lake Superior Binational Forum is a multi-sector stakeholder group of U.S. and Canadian volunteers that work together to provide input to governments about lake issues and educate basin residents about ways to protect and restore the lake.

Members come from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin photos courtesy:
Northland College, Liturgical Environments, Wayne Nasi Construction

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The Forum is located in the United States at Northland College in Ashland, WI, and funded in the U.S. by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Great Lakes National Program Office.

The Canadian Forum office is at EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and funded by Environment Canada.

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Top Ten Ways You Can Protect Lake Superior Every Day

Wisconsin DNR Map

1. Install water saving devices on your kitchen and bathroom faucets and showerheads. Purchase these at local hardware and building supply stores–most cost between one dollar and nine dollars.

2. Replace regular light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. Burning an energy bulb requires less energy, which means power plants burn less coal and that produces less mercury in the air.

3. Never burn garbage, especially plastics or tires, in burn barrels on your property. These produce more toxins in the air than an industrial incinerator. Not only do you breathe these toxic fumes as the garbage burns, but the pollutants enter the lake when it rains.

4. Instead of burning garbage, recycle or compost what you can and throw away the rest.

5. Take your lawn and household hazardous materials to area Cleansweeps collection days in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties this summer. Call the Northwest Regional Planning Commission at 715-635-2197 for dates and locations of collections in your county.

6. Put your lawn on a chemical-free diet. Poisonous lawn herbicides and pesticides seep into waterways that end up in the lake and soil, which can hurt your family and neighbors. Lawn chemicals can also sicken or kill birds and pets. Bring these kinds of chemicals to a Cleansweep event where they are disposed of safely.

7. Never pour any liquids into a storm drain. Storm drains empty untreated liquids into a nearby river, stream, or Lake Superior.

8. When youre boating or fishing, inspect your boat and trailer and remove any plants and animals before leaving the water body. Drain water from the motor, live well, bilge, and transom before leaving the water body. Never release live bait fish in the water or live earthworms on the land or water.

9. When planning landscaping or gardening activities, use plants that are native to the region. Consult with garden centers or the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute for a list of the best native plants for this area. Learn what non-native species look like and additional prevention tips by contacting your local state or federal natural resource management agency and ask for information and identification material for non-native species.

10. Love it! When you care about something as grand as Lake Superior, youll feel good about making sure it stays a Great Lake.

For more info contact:

Lissa Radke
US Coordinator
Lake Superior Binational Forum
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College
Ashland, WI
54806

715-682-1489
FAX 715-682-1218

"Water is life, and the quality of water determines the quality of life." –Lake Superior Binational Forum vision statement

Lake Superior Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in July!

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Interfaith projects to protect Lake Superior are discussed in this video by:

Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg
Head Priest
Lake Superior Zendo
Zen Buddhist Temple

Rev. Jon Magnuson, LSBF board member
Lutheran Campus Ministry
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

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Supers:

South Carolina map courtesy Geology.com

The Johnson-Sea-Link deep-sea scientific research submersible
Photo courtesy the Public Library of Science journal via Wikipedia

Sears Tower photo by WMU student Meghan Hurley

Minnesota Sea Grant photo by Marie Zhuikov
Families fly kites made from homemade materials off the deck of the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth
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For more info contact:

Lissa Radke
US Coordinator
Lake Superior Binational Forum
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College
Ashland, WI
54806

715-682-1489
FAX 715-682-1218

Lake Superior Binational Forum
http://www.superiorforum.info

Lake Superior Binational Forum vision statement:
"Water is life, and the quality of water determines the quality of life."

Lake Superior Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in July
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Related websites:
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Lake Superior Binational Forum
http://www.superiorforum.info

Flying a kite on Lake Superior Day pdf:
http://www.superiorforum.info/uploads/Kite_Poster.pdf
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Wisconsin DNR page on Lake Superior:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/habitat/lakesuperior.htm
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University of Minnesota Sea Grant Foundation
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/

Minnesota Sea Grant Dec. 2007 newsletter: Making a Great Lake Superior by Sharon Moen
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/newsletter/2007/12/making_a_great_lake_superior.html

Minnesota Sea Grant kite flying photo by Marie Zhuikov
Families fly kites made from homemade materials off the deck of the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth.
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Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin photos courtesy:

Northland College:
http://www.northland.edu/Northland

Liturgical Environments:
http://www.liturgicalenvironments.com
http://www.liturgicalenvironments.com/Images/Leaded%20Glass%20Contemporary/LdNORTHLAND-COLLEGE.jpg

Wayne Nasi Construction:
http://www.wnasi.com
http://www.wnasi.com/images/portfolio/school_northland.jpg
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EcoSuperior Environmental Programs:
http://www.ecosuperior.com
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Environment Canada:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/

Telephone
1-819-997-2800
Canada only:
1-800-668-6767
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Johnson-Sea-Link – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Sea_Link

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution:

http://www.hboi.edu

Submersible & crew info:
http://www.hboi.edu/marineops/jsl_crew.html

The Johnsen Lab page of Johnson-Sea-Link
http://www.biology.duke.edu/johnsenlab/gallery/insidechamber.html

Johnson-Sea-Link, deep-sea scientific research submersible built by The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in 1971.
Submersible was designed by Edwin Albert Link, friend of Harbor Branch founder Seward Johnson.
Image first published March 15, 2005 in the Public Library of Science journal.
Source: Gulf of Mexico Cruise SJ0107
The Public Library of Science journal website states that the content of all PLoS journals is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license.
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South Carolina Map – Geology.com
http://geology.com/state-map/maps/south-carolina-state-map.gif
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Sears Tower photo by Western Michigan University student Meghan Hurley of Glenview, Illinois:
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~m4hurley/searstower2_skyscraper_1.jpg
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~m4hurley

Earth Healing, EPA Earth Day Challenge: Erie, PA residents protect Lake Erie by turning in medicines at Pennsylvania Sea Grant collection

View of Erie, Pennsylvania from Presque Isle
Photo by Pat Noble, WikiProject Erie

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Pennsylvania Sea Grant Keep Unwanted Medicine out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection Day in Erie, Pennsylvania on April 26, 2008
All medicine collection photos in this story are by Anna McCartney, Erie Times-News in Education

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Erie, Pennsylvania residents turn in about 600 pounds worth of medicine and personal care products, over 73,000 pills at the April 2008 Sea Grant Pharmaceutical collection during EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge

(Erie, Pennsylvania) – Erie, Pennsylvania area residents dropped off about 600 pounds worth of medicine and personal care products on Saturday, April 26, 2008 during the Pennsylvania Sea Grant pharmaceutical collection.

Showing their love for Lake Erie, residents brought in over 73,000 pills and a large amount of controlled substances like narcotic pain medication, according to Sara Grisè, Pennsylvania Sea Grant coastal outreach specialist.

The collection was held at the Cruise Boat Terminal Building behind the Memorial Library named for Dr. Raymond Blasco in Erie, Pennsylvania.

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Keep Unwanted Medicine out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection results:

87 participants

Collected 120 gallons of materials

5 of the 120 gallons were controlled substances

About 600 pounds worth of medicine and personal care products

Controlled category II:

1,031 pills

130 milliliters of liquids

Controlled category III, IV, V:

1,397 pills

1,180 milliliters of liquids

Controlled Unidentified:

1,410 pills

102 milliliters of liquids

4 pieces of gum

6 towelettes
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Controlled total: 3,839 pills

Non-Controlled total: 69,232 pills

Personal Care products: 384
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The Keep Unwanted Medicine out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection Day was held as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge.

The challenge involved over 100 pharmaceutical and electronic waste collections in hundreds of communities across eight states in the Great Lakes Basin.

Ohio EPA Map of polluted Lake Erie in 1970s

Across America, the reputation of Lake Erie – especially in the 1960s and 1970s – was that of an extremely polluted and even dead lake.

By all accounts, residents and officials have done a great job restoring Lake Erie – where fishing, boating and swimming are popular.

Lake Erie photo (above) courtesy Jim's Photos Unixdoctor

View of Lake Erie from Cranch Park in Erie, PA
Photo by Pat Noble, WikiProject Erie

EPA Graphic

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The EPA Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan has been a big force in the recovery of Lake Erie.

EPA/Bay City Times/Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Photo

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In recent years, officials have been fighting the Zebra Muscle problem in Lake Erie. It's been a love/hate relationship as the muscles have done good and bad things to the lake.

One goal of the pharmaceutical collection was to prevent medicine s from being discharged into Lake Erie and to make sure the drugs don't end up in other surrounding lakes and streams.

Goal of medicine collection is to protect rivers, lakes and streams like Cascade Creek in Erie, PA
Photo by Pat Noble, WikiProject Erie

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Many wastewater treatment plants around the world are not designed to remove the cocktail of chemicals after the drugs are flushed or dumped down the drain – and the drugs can leach out of landfills into the groundwater.

Pictured above are Erie Police Dept. officers. Law enforcement officers are required by federal law at collections of controlled substances

Students and pharmacists from the LECOM School of Pharmacy counted and sorted drugs during the medicine collection

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Some of the unsung heros at pharmaceuticals collections are the police and pharmacists – without whom the collections would not be possible.
At all locations, including Erie, Law enforcement and pharmacists were on hand to accept the pharmaceuticals.

Based on experience, organizers discovered the turnout was bigger when residents don't have to preregister.

Of the 87 residents participating in the collection, 61 did not preregister.

Sara Grisè, Pennsylvania Sea Grant coastal outreach specialist (pictured above on the right; and Marti Martz, also a Pennsylvania Sea Grant coastal outreach specialist, and many others worked hard to make the collection a success.

Over 70,000 pills were turned as Erie, PA area residents showed their love for Lake Erie by participating in the Keep Unwanted Medicine out of Lake Erie Medicine Collection Day

—

And similar to the other collections, most Erie participants were older adults as 89 percent were over the age of 46.

Assisting in the proper disposal of the medicines was ECS & R – Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling in Cochranton, Pennsylvania.

Medicine Collection Sponsors:

The organizers of the Erie collection included Pennsylvania Sea Grant, the City of Erie, Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, LECOM school of Pharmacy, and Erie Times-News in Education.

Organizers partnered with the WJET-TV Channel 24 Erie Green Campaign.

WSEE TV provided their news story for use in a video about the collection.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant received a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Great Lakes map highlighting Lake Erie by Lawrence W. Ellerbruch, Northern Michigan University

—

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded by 400 to 500 percent.

The Earth Healing Initiative assisted some challenge organizers by offering interfaith liaisons to volunteer and encourage members of local churches and temples to participate in the Earth Day related events in their area.

This video on the projects connected to the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was made possible by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the EPA's Region 5 office in Chicago, the EPA Great Lakes national Program Office also in Chicago in cooperation with the non-profit Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative in Marquette, MI.

The EHI involves American Indian tribes and a coalition of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together to heal, protect and defend the environment.
—

—

For more info contact:

Sara Grisè
Pennsylvania Sea Grant
814-217-9011

Unwanted Medications
301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 3
Erie, PA

Marti Martz
Coastal Outreach Specialist
Pennsylvania Sea Grant
814-217-9015
814-217-9021 (fax)
—
Erie collection organizers received assistance from EPA Region 3 (with assistance from Region 5), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Organizers thank following organizations who were part of the team that make the collection program a success:

Community Health Net
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Environmental Coordination Services and Recycling (ECS&R)
Erie County Environmental Coalition
Erie Center on Health and Aging
Erie County Health Department
Erie Housing Authority
Erie Port Authority
Erie Wastewater Treatment Facility
Local Pharmacies
Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC)
Hamot Medical Center
Lake Erie Sierra Club
Local Senior centers
Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association
Presque Isle Audubon
State Board of Pharmacy
USDEA local agent
Visiting Nurses Association
WJET-TV 24 Erie Green Campaign
—
Related websites:
—

Pennsylvania Sea Grant:
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/seagrant/seagindex.htm

In November 2006, Sara Grisè joined Pennsylvania Sea Grant as a Coastal Outreach Specialist:
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/seagrant/about/grise.htm
—
EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.epa.gov/region5
—

ECS&R – Environmental Coordination Services & Recycling
3237 US Highway 19
Cochranton, PA
16314

814-425-7773
814-425-3201 (fax)

ECS&R 24 hour emergency response call:

877-902-2452

email:
info@ecsr.net

http://www.ecsr.net/
http://www.ecsr.net/environmental.html
—

WJET-TV 24 Erie Green Campaign:
http://yourerie.com/
http://yourerie.com/content/green
—

WSEE TV Erie. PA
http://www.wsee.tv/
http://www.wsee.tv/news.php
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=WSEE01
—

City of Erie
http://ci.erie.pa.us/

City of Erie flag/seal are courtesy the English Wikipedia Graphics Lab & Cronholm144

Erie Police Dept.
http://ci.erie.pa.us/Departments/PoliceDepartment/tabid/72/Default.aspx
—
Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force
http://www.earthforce.org/section/offices/lea
http://www.earthforce.org/section/offices/lea/leasuccess_stories

http://www.earthforce.org/section/offices/lea/leacontact_us
http://www.earthforce.org/section/offices/lea/leaschools
http://www.earthforce.org/
—

LECOM School of Pharmacy in Erie, PA

Photo by Pat Noble, WikiProject Erie

LECOM school of Pharmacy
http://www.lecom.edu/school_pharmacy.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LECOM
—

Erie Times-News newspaper building in Erie, PA

Photo by Pat Noble, WikiProject Erie

Erie Times-News in Education
http://www.goerie.com/
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=ETN
Erie Times-News front page April 23, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Times-News
—

Erie, PA photos by Pat Noble

Erie, Pennsylvania – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie

Erie photos courtesy Pat Noble aka Pnoble805, a member of WikiProject Erie
Photos include Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry monument, Liberty Park's Pepsi Amphitheater, Times-News building, skyline of Erie, Pennsylvania as seen from Presque Isle, Cranch Park, west branch of Cascade Creek under a small bridge at Frontier Park, and the LECOM medical school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Pnoble805
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Pnoble805#My_work_on_WikiProject_Erie

City of Erie flag/seal are courtesy the English Wikipedia Graphics Lab & Cronholm144
—
Lake Erie Photos courtesy Jim's Photos Unixdoctor
http://www.unixdoctor.com/gallery/niagara/Lake_Erie_02
http://www.unixdoctor.com/gallery/albums.php
—
Lake Erie map graphic courtesy Lawrence W. Ellerbruch, Northern Michigan University
http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255f03/cs255students/ateraves/P6/tutorial2.html
—
Shallow Lake Erie photo courtesy Environment Canada:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/
—
Lake Erie polluted photo courtesy Ohio EPA
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo/reports/leqi/leqi2004/pollutionsources/Pollutionsourcespic.jpg
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/
—

EPA: Lake Erie Management Plan reports:

http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/erie.html
http://www.epa.gov/lakeerie/index.html
—
EPA – Zebra Mussels photo info:
http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/image/viz_iss4.html
Zebra mussels washed up on beach, Lake Erie
Bay City Times (courtesy Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab)
—
White House Office of Drug Control Policy:
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/
—

Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative
http://www.earthhealinginitiative.org/

Call:
906-401-0109
—

Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org/
—

Earth 911:
http://earth911.org/
http://earth911.org/blog/2008
—

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Baha'i Community)
Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com/

Justice St. Rain
1-800-326-1197 (toll free)
1-847-733-3559 (wk)

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville, IN
47436

Photos of the April 2008 pharmaceutical collection in Erie, Pennsylvania

Photos by Anna McCartney, Erie Times-News in Education

EPA Great Lakes Challenge: Syracuse recycles 9 tons of TVs with Onondaga County Resource Recovery

Syracuse, NY residents show their respect for Great Lakes including love for Lake Erie by turning over 9 tons of old TVs to be recycled by the Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency

Syracuse skyline photo by Joe Grimes, Wikipedia

—

(Syracuse, New York) – A leader in electronic waste recycling projects in the northeast is the Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) in Syracuse, NY.

The agency held a TV collection on Saturday, April 19 in the Alliance Bank Stadium parking lot as part of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge.

The Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency received an EPA grant to help offset costs of the recycling project.

It was one of over 100 projects involved in the challenge across eight states in the Great Lakes Basin.

Organizers keep traffic flowing smoothly as 964 vehicles arrived with old TVs.

The event took in 1,551 old television sets weighing 97,080 pounds, according to Andrew Radin, Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction for the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency.

That means nearly 9 tons of old TVs from central New York were recycled.

Syracuse State Tower building photo by Joe Grimes

Syracuse Franklin Park photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Jerry Rescue Monument photo by Paul Malo

—

The agency also holds ongoing e-waste collections at the Community Collection Center also know as 3-C – located at 6085 Court Street – in Syracuse, NY.

The electronics collection dates and times are:
Tuesdays from 4pm to 8pm;
Thursdays from 8am to noon;
and Saturdays from 9am to 1 p.m.

There is no charge to drop off household e-waste and other items at the collection center including old computers plus related equipment and fluorescent bulbs, household batteries, cell phones, smoke detectors, tabletop copiers, DVD players, electronic game consoles like Nintendo, and Xbox, fax machines, phones, VCRs and stereos including speakers.

The agency is developing a plan to accept TVs at the center.

Over 60,000 pounds has been turned in at the Community Collection Center so far this year.

Business waste in not accepted.

The center also accepts books – covers must be removed.

In a unique twist – the agency is helping the hungry – by asking residents dropping off items to be recycled to also bring canned food and other non perishables for Food Bank of Central New York.

The Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency is known as OCRRA for short using its initials.

Since 2002, OCRRA has collected over 1,000 tons of e-waste from the community for recycling

OCRRA has numerous environment projects that benefit the Syracuse area including its Blue Bin It campaign.

Blue Bin It is based on the well-know blue bins that are popular in recycling projects across the country.

OCRRA has a series of radio spots promoting its blue bin it campaign.

(See Blue Bin It Radio ads in this video)

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded by 400 to 500 percent.

The Earth Healing Initiative assisted some challenge organizers by offering interfaith liaisons to volunteer and encourage members of local churches and temples to participate in the Earth Day related events in their area.

This video on the projects connected to the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was made possible by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the EPA's Region 5 office in Chicago, the EPA Great Lakes national Program Office also in Chicago in cooperation with the non-profit Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative in Marquette, MI.

The EHI involves American Indian tribes and a coalition of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together to heal, protect and defend the environment.

Im Greg Peterson and youre watching Earth Healing TV
—
Related Links:
—

Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) recycling page
http://www.ocrra.org/recycling_c3.asp
—
Contact:
Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) in Syracuse, NY
Andrew J. Radin
Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA)

315-453-2866
315-295-0726
—

The Food Bank of Central New York
http://www.foodbankcny.org/
Portrait of Hunger:
http://www.foodbankcny.org/default.aspx?PageID=752
—

Onondaga Creek running through the Franklin Square area

Syracuse on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_New_York

Syracuse skyline photo by Joe Grimes
Syracuse skyline wide shot photo by Joe Grimes
Syracuse State Tower building photo by Joe Grimes

Onondaga Creek running through the Franklin Square area

Syracuse skyline photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Franklin Park photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Jerry Rescue Monument photo by Paul Malo
—

EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.epa.gov/region5
—

Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org

Call:
906-401-0109
—

Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.org
—

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Baha'i Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com

Justice St. Rain
1-800-326-1197 (toll free)
1-847-733-3559 (wk)

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville, IN
47436

—

More photos from OCRRA TV Collection:

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: central, new, york, syracuse, community, collection, center, onondaga, county, resource, recovery, agency, food, bank, of, central, new, york, hunger, kalamazoo, southwest, michigan, kalamazoo, county, bishop, thomas, a., skrenes, northern, great, lakes, synod, ngls, keep, greater, milwauk

Earth Healing: Syracuse, NY residents turn in TVs to Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency

Syracuse, NY residents show their respect for Great Lakes including love for Lake Erie by turning over 9 tons of old TVs to be recycled by the Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency

Syracuse skyline photo by Joe Grimes, Wikipedia

—

(Syracuse, New York) – A leader in electronic waste recycling projects in the northeast is the Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) in Syracuse, NY.

The agency held a TV collection on Saturday, April 19 in the Alliance Bank Stadium parking lot as part of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge.

The Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency received an EPA grant to help offset costs of the recycling project.

It was one of over 100 projects involved in the challenge across eight states in the Great Lakes Basin.

Organizers keep traffic flowing smoothly as 964 vehicles arrived with old TVs.

The event took in 1,551 old television sets weighing 97,080 pounds, according to Andrew Radin, Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction for the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency.

That means nearly 9 tons of old TVs from central New York were recycled.

Syracuse State Tower building photo by Joe Grimes

Syracuse Franklin Park photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Jerry Rescue Monument photo by Paul Malo

—

The agency also holds ongoing e-waste collections at the Community Collection Center also know as 3-C – located at 6085 Court Street – in Syracuse, NY.

The electronics collection dates and times are:
Tuesdays from 4pm to 8pm;
Thursdays from 8am to noon;
and Saturdays from 9am to 1 p.m.

There is no charge to drop off household e-waste and other items at the collection center including old computers plus related equipment and fluorescent bulbs, household batteries, cell phones, smoke detectors, tabletop copiers, DVD players, electronic game consoles like Nintendo, and Xbox, fax machines, phones, VCRs and stereos including speakers.

The agency is developing a plan to accept TVs at the center.

Over 60,000 pounds has been turned in at the Community Collection Center so far this year.

Business waste in not accepted.

The center also accepts books – covers must be removed.

In a unique twist – the agency is helping the hungry – by asking residents dropping off items to be recycled to also bring canned food and other non perishables for Food Bank of Central New York.

The Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency is known as OCRRA for short using its initials.

Since 2002, OCRRA has collected over 1,000 tons of e-waste from the community for recycling

OCRRA has numerous environment projects that benefit the Syracuse area including its Blue Bin It campaign.

Blue Bin It is based on the well-know blue bins that are popular in recycling projects across the country.

OCRRA has a series of radio spots promoting its blue bin it campaign.

(See Blue Bin It Radio ads in this video)

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded by 400 to 500 percent.

The Earth Healing Initiative assisted some challenge organizers by offering interfaith liaisons to volunteer and encourage members of local churches and temples to participate in the Earth Day related events in their area.

This video on the projects connected to the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was made possible by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the EPA's Region 5 office in Chicago, the EPA Great Lakes national Program Office also in Chicago in cooperation with the non-profit Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative in Marquette, MI.

The EHI involves American Indian tribes and a coalition of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together to heal, protect and defend the environment.

Im Greg Peterson and youre watching Earth Healing TV
—
Related Links:
—

Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) recycling page
http://www.ocrra.org/recycling_c3.asp
—
Contact:
Onondaga County Resource Recover Agency (OCRRA) in Syracuse, NY
Andrew J. Radin
Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA)

315-453-2866
315-295-0726
—

The Food Bank of Central New York
http://www.foodbankcny.org/
Portrait of Hunger:
http://www.foodbankcny.org/default.aspx?PageID=752
—

Onondaga Creek running through the Franklin Square area

Syracuse on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_New_York

Syracuse skyline photo by Joe Grimes
Syracuse skyline wide shot photo by Joe Grimes
Syracuse State Tower building photo by Joe Grimes

Onondaga Creek running through the Franklin Square area

Syracuse skyline photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Franklin Park photo by Kai Brinker, Newkai is a member of WikiProject Syracuse, New York

Syracuse Jerry Rescue Monument photo by Paul Malo
—

EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.epa.gov/region5
—

Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org

Call:
906-401-0109
—

Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.org
—

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Baha'i Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com

Justice St. Rain
1-800-326-1197 (toll free)
1-847-733-3559 (wk)

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville, IN
47436

—

More photos from OCRRA TV Collection:

Earth Healing: EPA funds June 21 RSVP e-waste collection in Hancock, MI

Western U.P. electronic waste collections set: June 21 in Houghton and Keweenaw counties; July 12 in Baraga County; dates for other areas TBA

The Western Upper Peninsula Electronics Recycling Program, a project of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), provides households with an environmentally and economically sound solution to disposing of electronic waste.

Residents of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, who have generated electronic waste in their household, may bring their items to e-waste collection sites on the specified collection dates in their area.

The initiative received grants and/or other assistance from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The northern Michigan collection is connected to the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge that involves over 100 projects in eight states across the Great Lakes Basin.

More than a dozen previous collections since 2005 have garnered nearly 48 tons of e-waste from over 850 participants.
—
2005: 8 collections, 26.5 tons
2006: 4 collections, 15 tons
2007: 1 collection, 6.25 tons
—
Commonly called e-waste, electronics waste includes old and broken computers, cell phones, TVs and other items found in many homes.

The collection for Houghton and Keweenaw counties will be on June 21 from 9 am to noon at the health department offices in Hancock.

An e-waste collection will be held in Baraga County on July 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at a site to be announced.

Collection events for other Copper Country counties will be announced in the future.

The cost to drop off e-waste is 10 cents per pound.

The Western Upper Peninsula Electronics Recycling Program will accept a wide range of e-waste during collection events including cell phones, computer and related equipment like laptops, monitors, towers aka central processing units, printers, scanners, keyboards and computer mice

Other e-waste accepted includes stereo equipment, televisions, VCR and DVD players, copiers, cordless telephones, fax machines, fluorescent light bulbs that are 4 to 8 feet in length, microwave ovens and batteries including alkaline, nickel cadmium, lead acid, lithium, mercury.

Organizers said it estimated that between 1997 and 2007, nearly 500 million personal computers will became obsolete. That's almost 2 computers for every person living in the United States.

TV's and computer monitors contain an average of 4 pounds of lead, as well as other toxins.

According to Closing the Circle News, the manufacture of one computer consumes 529 pounds of fossil fuels, 49 pounds of chemicals, and 3,307 pounds of water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects that nationwide nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in the next five years.

For additional information contact the Western Upper Peninsula Electronics Recycling Program or RSVP at 906-482-7382.

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded by 400 to 500 percent.

The Earth Healing Initiative assisted some challenge organizers by offering interfaith liaisons to volunteer and encourage members of local churches and temples to participate in the Earth Day related events in their area.

This video on the projects connected to the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was made possible by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the EPA's Region 5 office in Chicago, the EPA Great Lakes national Program Office also in Chicago in cooperation with the non-profit Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative in Marquette, MI.

The EHI involves American Indian tribes and a coalition of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together to heal, protect and defend the environment.

Im Greg Peterson and youre watching Earth Healing TV
—
Related websites:
—

Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department:
http://www.wupdhd.org
—
e-waste info:
http://www.wupdhd.org/rsvp/e-waste.html
—
RSVP:
http://www.wupdhd.org/rsvp/index.html
—
Contact info:
Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
540 Depot Street
Hancock, MI
49930

Barbara Maronen
906-482-7382
—
EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.epa.gov/region5
—

Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org

906-401-0109
—

Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.org
—

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Baha'i Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com

Justice St. Rain
1-800-326-1197 (toll free)
1-847-733-3559 (wk)

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville, IN
47436

EPA Great Lakes 2008 Challenges continues: RSVP, others plan June 21 e-wate collection in Hancock, MI

Western U.P. electronic waste collections set: June 21 in Houghton and Keweenaw counties; July 12 in Baraga County; dates for other areas TBA

The Western Upper Peninsula Electronics Recycling Program, a project of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), provides households with an environmentally and economically sound solution to disposing of electronic waste.

Residents of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties, who have generated electronic waste in their household, may bring their items to e-waste collection sites on the specified collection dates in their area.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: hancock, kalamazoo, western upper peninsula district health department, western upper peninsula electronics recycling program, mdeq, retired & senior volunteer program, rsvp, southwest michigan, kalamazoo county, bishop thomas a. skrenes, northern great lakes synod

EPA Great Lakes 2008 Challenge: June 21 pharmaceutical collection in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Free, special collection for old prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals for residents of southwest Michigan set for June 21, 2008 in Kalamazoo County

Residents of the Kalamazoo area and all of southwest Michigan can to their part to protect the Great Lakes during a free public pharmaceutical collection later this month.

Old and unwanted medicines and personal care products will be accepted on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Loy Norrix High School, 606 E. Kilgore (off Lovers Lane) in Kalamazoo.

The pharmaceutical collection is sponsored by Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provided a grant for the project.

The collection is connected to the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge that involves over 100 projects in eight states across the Great Lakes Basin.

Southwest Michigan residents can rid their home of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals plus personal care products.

For example – items that will be accepted include:

Prescription medication, such as antibiotics, birth control, and insulin (but no sharps or syringes)

Medication samples and over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, cold medicine

Personal care products, such as medicated ointments, lotions, and shampoos

Veterinary medications

Items that will not be accepted include:

Medical waste like sharps and syringes

Products containing mercury like thermometers
—
The collection is free to all households in southwest Michigan.

Organizers say the collection is important to protect Lake Michigan and other lakes and streams – like Arcadia Creek.

The reason – an investigation by the Associated Press found a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, mood stabilizers and hormones, in the drinking water of 41 million Americans.

Most medications pass untreated through wastewater treatment plants because those facilities are not designed to remove the chemicals.

That means the pharmaceuticals are discharged into local rivers or groundwater.

For more information call 269-373-5211

Or visit the EPA and Kalamazoo County websites at these addresses:
http://www.epa.gov/ppcp
http://www.kalcounty.com/hcs

Again – a free pharmaceutical collection for residents of the Kalamazoo area and southwest Michigan will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Loy Norrix High School at 606 E. Kilgore (off Lovers Lane) in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The pharmaceutical collection is sponsored by Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA Graphic: EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge beats goals by 400 to 500 percent

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded many times over.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: kalamazoo, southwest michigan, kalamazoo county, bishop thomas a. skrenes, northern great lakes synod, ngls, keep greater milwaukee beautiful, italian community center, midwest computer recyclers, wisn tv, milwaukee police, milwaukee brewers, city of milwaukee, aurora

EPA Great Lakes Challenge continues: Kalamazoo April 21 pharmaceutical collection for SW Michigan

Free, special collection for old prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals for residents of southwest Michigan set for June 21, 2008 in Kalamazoo County

Residents of the Kalamazoo area and all of southwest Michigan can to their part to protect the Great Lakes during a free public pharmaceutical collection later this month.

Old and unwanted medicines and personal care products will be accepted on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Loy Norrix High School, 606 E. Kilgore (off Lovers Lane) in Kalamazoo.

The pharmaceutical collection is sponsored by Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provided a grant for the project.

The collection is connected to the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge that involves over 100 projects in eight states across the Great Lakes Basin.

Southwest Michigan residents can rid their home of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals plus personal care products.

For example – items that will be accepted include:

Prescription medication, such as antibiotics, birth control, and insulin (but no sharps or syringes)

Medication samples and over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, cold medicine

Personal care products, such as medicated ointments, lotions, and shampoos

Veterinary medications

Items that will not be accepted include:

Medical waste like sharps and syringes

Products containing mercury like thermometers
—
The collection is free to all households in southwest Michigan.

Organizers say the collection is important to protect Lake Michigan and other lakes and streams – like Arcadia Creek.

The reason – an investigation by the Associated Press found a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, mood stabilizers and hormones, in the drinking water of 41 million Americans.

Most medications pass untreated through wastewater treatment plants because those facilities are not designed to remove the chemicals.

That means the pharmaceuticals are discharged into local rivers or groundwater.

For more information call 269-373-5211

Or visit the EPA and Kalamazoo County websites at these addresses:
http://www.epa.gov/ppcp
http://www.kalcounty.com/hcs

Again – a free pharmaceutical collection for residents of the Kalamazoo area and southwest Michigan will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Loy Norrix High School at 606 E. Kilgore (off Lovers Lane) in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The pharmaceutical collection is sponsored by Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The goal of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was the collecting and recycling of one million pounds of electronics (e-Waste) plus the collection and proper disposal of one million pills. The EPA says those goals were exceeded many times over.

The Earth Healing Initiative assisted challenge organizers by offering interfaith liaisons to volunteer and encourage members of local churches and temples to participate in the Earth Day related events in their area.

This video on the projects connected to the Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge was made possible by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the EPA's Region 5 office in Chicago the EPA Great Lakes national Program Office also in Chicago in cooperation with the non-profit Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative in Marquette, MI.

The EHI involves American Indian tribes and a coalition of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together to heal, protect and defend the environment.

Im Greg Peterson and youre watching Earth healing TV
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Related Links & Information:
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Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services
http://www.kalcounty.com/hcs

Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Bureau
http://www.kalcounty.com/eh/index.htm

Kalamazoo County homepage:
http://www.kalcounty.com
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EPA – Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
http://www.epa.gov/ppcp
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EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois
http://www.epa.gov/region5
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Interfaith Earth Healing Initiative
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org

906-401-0109
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Cedar Tree Institute
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.org
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Kalamazoo – Southwest Michigan First
http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/index.cfm
Maps:
http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/pdf/Kalamazoo%20Region.pdf
http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/pdf/Kalamazoo%20County1.pdf
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Kalamazoo Downtown Central City website:
http://www.central-city.net
http://www.central-city.net/festivalsite?mth=festivalsite&subc=festplanning
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Kalamazoo Wikimedia:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Kalamazoo%2C_Michigan
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Kalamazoo.jpg
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Kalamazoo River:
www.kalamazooriver.net
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Loy Norrix High School:
http://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/education/school/school.php?sectionid=24
http://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/education/school/schoolmap.php?sectiondetailid=279&sc_id=1210344809
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loy_Norrix
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Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Baha'i Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com

Justice St. Rain
1-800-326-1197 (toll free)
1-847-733-3559 (wk)

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville, IN
47436
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Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Bureau
3299 Gull Road
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048
269-373-5210
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