Markets for recycled plastic lumber are surprisingly uneven across North America. While some manufacturers report having trouble keeping up with the demand for their products, others are struggling. Green Tree Plastics Technology Inc. of Victorville, California is shutting down its manufacturing operations for lack of income. “The sales are just plain not there,” said company president Skip Humphrey.

Trimax plastic lumber, which was featured in the EBN article “Recycled Plastic Lumber,” (Vol. 2, No. 4) will soon be manufactured in two additional locations. Trimax’s parent company, Polymerix, Inc., has licensed Environmental Recovery Systems of Somerset Inc. to make the fiberglass-reinforced lumber in Massachusetts. In a separate deal, John Witt, CEO of Witt Plastics, will oversee a joint venture to manufacture Trimax in Florida. For more information contact Trimax’s president, Anthony Noto, at 2076 Fifth Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779; 516/471-7777, 516/471-7862 (fax).

News Briefs

A competition for designs that elegantly integrate photovoltaics into individual buildings and into the urban environment is being cosponsored by the International Energy Agency and the Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: large-scale application in an urban area; single dwelling; and multistory building. Deadline for submissions is December 31, 1993. Contact Al Shaw, AIA/ACSA Research Council, 1735 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006; 202/785-5912, 202/628-0448 (fax).

The Forest Information Resource System (FORIS), a database on the world’s timber resources, will be released by Tree Talk in November 1993. FORIS is intended to provide wood users with detailed information that will encourage the use of lesser-known and environmentally friendly species. Physical properties of each species, appropriate uses, availability, harvesting information, and cost will all be listed where available. The initial release includes about 800 species. For pricing and ordering information contact Tree Talk at 431 Pine St., Burlington, VT 05401; 800/858-6230, 802/863-4344 (fax).

In July the Construction Specifications Institute appointed an Ad Hoc Environmental Issues Committee to promote awareness of environmental matters among CSI members and the construction industry. In its mission statement, CSI includes a commitment to “encourage the use of construction materials that will ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public, protection of the environment, and conservation of resources.” The committee will develop initial goals and objectives in meetings scheduled for September 1993. Contact Ross Speigel at 305/486-7500 or Steven Nutt at 703/684-0300 for more information. From Kelly McArthur Ingalls, CSI.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched IAQ INFO, the Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse. IAQ INFO has specialists who can provide information on a wide range of issues relating to indoor air quality: pollutant sources, health effects, testing, control measures, and relevant standards/guidelines. Along with answering questions, IAQ INFO can send you government publications and refer you to appropriate government agencies, research groups, and private sector organizations. The hotline is open 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time; after hours, you can leave a voice message or send a fax. IAQ INFO, P.O. Box 37133, Washington, D.C. 20013-7133; 800/438‑4318, 301/588-3408 (fax).

ReClaim, Inc., a fast-growing company that recycles old asphalt shingles into pothole patching material, has received a patent for its product. RePave™ is used by municipalities and homeowners to repair roadways and driveways. ReClaim processes about 300 tons per day of roofing debris at its two New Jersey plants to make its paving products (see EBN

Vol. 1, No. 3, p. 9). ReClaim Inc., 8001 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33614-3211; 800/448-5307, 813/933-9713 (fax).

As reported in a Congressional hearing in June, the EPA has so far been unable to duplicate the results of carpet toxicity studies done by Anderson Labs of Dedham, Massachusetts (see EBN

Vol. 2, No. 2, “Mouse-Killing Carpets”). For reasons that remain unclear, the EPA used different test procedures that included percolating the exposed air through water before exposing the mice to it. None of the mice at the EPA lab died. (Replicating the EPA’s procedures, Anderson found evidence that the water extracts toxins from the air.) The EPA has now been given six more months to replicate Anderson's exact procedures and report back to Congress.

News Briefs

A study done at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, concluded that ground drywall applied to soils in test plots increased crop yield by 25% over untreated soil. This result was similar to the benefits of applying limestone or agricultural gypsum to the soil in equivalent quantities (11 tons per acre). The crop was also tested for heavy metals, which occur in drywall in trace quantities. No increased levels were detected. From

Biocycle, July 1993.

Two bills in Congress, one in each chamber, would promote resource efficiency in building construction. The Federal Resource Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 (S. 817), was introduced by Senator John Glenn of Ohio, and the Federal Environmentally Efficient Building Materials Act of 1993 (H.R. 1819), was introduced in the House by Congressman Fingerhut of Ohio. Neither bill is currently scheduled for committee action.