43 resources found

Video

Why chemicals matter

February 2024
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The video covers the crucial issues surrounding chemical policies in today's world, the unseen effects of chemicals in everyday life and the global push for policies that foster sustainable practices. The video highlights the challenges and innovative solutions that aim to to protect our environment and health, setting the stage for a greener, safer and sustainable future.

Case studies

Case study: Bedford Green House

Bedford Green House is a 118-unit, 13-storey affordable housing development in New York City, with sustainable design and resident health at its heart. The development used HomeFree to inform the selection of building materials, considering human health impacts. This included using solid core doors with a NAUF (No Added Urea Formaldehyde) core and hardwood plywood cabinets which use less binder (and therefore less formaldehyde) than particleboard and MDF.

Case studies

Case study: CHARM virtually plastic free homes

CHARM virtually plastic free homes is an affordable housing development of 12 homes, built using plastic-free materials to reduce environmental and health impacts. The homes are constructed from timber panels and make extensive use of alternative and recycled products, such as aluminium window frames and mineral insulation.

Country: United Kingdom
Case studies

Lead in Paint Regulation: Case Study – The Philippines

by
UNEP ,
|
May 2023
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This case study describes the adoption of regulations on lead paint in Philippines and how this came about through a collaboration between government, civil society and industry.

Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint
Case Study 3
Case studies

Piloting the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme in Nigeria

by
UNEP ,
|
May 2023
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This case study highlights three main achievements resulting from the EPR pilot that tested potential collection channels, determined local e-waste treatment costs, and promoted environmentally sound e-waste management and gender equality in Nigeria's electronics sector.

  1. Setting an EPR financial mechanism by understanding local collection and recycling costs and estimating the EPR fee based on local costs.
  2. Reducing the health and environmental risks associated with e-waste management practices by ensuring hazardous materials like mercury and Persistent Organic Pollutants in e-waste are recycled in an environmentally sound manner.
  3. Improving the health, security, and safety of waste management workers, including women who face various risks in the sector.

The study concludes with a summary of the next steps and key learnings that emphasize the importance of environ-mentally and socially responsible e-waste management with a focus on gender equality in the sector.

Healthy Materials Lab
Case studies

PA Hemp Home

This case study describes the ongoing renovation of a home in Pennsylvania using HempLine, a natural insulation product. The home is designed to be fully disability accessible, making healthy building materials particularly important. The renovation will act as a model for the future of healthy, affordable and accessible housing, and prove to other developers that the radical change this industry needs is possible.

Case studies

Case study: "What's it Made of?" with Sustainable Furnishings Council

"What's it Made of?" is an environmental health initiative which encourages the elimination of dangerous substances commonly included in furniture production. The initiative involves a simple pledge for manufacturers to ask their suppliers about the substances in their materials and products. "What's it Made of?" was launched in 2016 and instantly gained over 300 signatures, which continue to grow through the efforts of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Case studies

Case Study: Common Bond Communities Dublin Crossing

Dublin Crossing is a 50-unit, 3-storey affordable housing development in Minnesota. The specifications for the development were benchmarked against the HomeFree hazard spectrums and incorporated measures such as low-VOC paint, and doors and millwork using NAUF (No Added Urea Formaldehyde) composite wood products. The project was used as an opportunity to explore alternative flooring options to reduce toxins whilst meeting practical requirements such as durability and easy maintenance.

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