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  • Archive for April, 2009

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    Eye on Ads: Promoting Handwashing

    Thursday, April 30th, 2009

    It’s a relatively simple thing that it’s too often overlooked by local sanitary authorities and technical assistance programs, but soooooo important in improving public health and hygiene: getting everyone in the habit of regularly (and properly) washing their hands with soap. Below are two public service ads (PSAs) sponsored by Colombia’s Environment Ministry (MAVDT), originally […]

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    Brazil Steps Up Funding for Women’s Cancer Exams

    Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

    Brazil’s Health Ministry (MS) announced today two measures to improve access to breast and cervix cancer screening within the country’s Unified Health System (SUS).  R$ 94.5 million will be invested over the next three years to increase Pap tests and mammograms (see table below). In addition, in June 2009 the Information System for Breast Cancer Control (SISMAMA) will be brought […]

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    BNDES Increases Support to Waste Picker Co-ops in 2009

    Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

    From the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES): BNDES lends R$ 7.4 million to 11 waste-picker recycling cooperatives in 2009 Entities will contribute to raise the population’s awareness and improve separate garbage collection services This year, the BNDES boosted its support to waste-picker recycling cooperatives and approved R$ 7.4 million for 11 institutions. The non-reimbursable funds derive […]

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    Trash Photos XVI: Furniture Made with PET Bottles

    Sunday, April 26th, 2009

    Back in January I posted about making furniture made from scrap tires that serves not only to “upcycle” (as my friend Leila insists I call it!) waste but also to help unemployed or low-income Brazilians earn income.  At the time I intended to post a week or two later about similar projects involving furniture made […]

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    IFC Supports PET Recycling in Mexico / IFC respalda el reciclaje de PET en México

    Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

    From the International Finance Corporation (IFC): IFC Supports PetStar’s Launch of Recycling Facility to Reduce Waste in Mexico IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, supported the launch of operations for Petstar SA de CV’s bottle–to-bottle recycling facility, which is expected to significantly reduce the volume of non-biodegradable waste and contribute to greater longevity […]

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    A Solar Atlas for Alagoas

    Monday, April 20th, 2009

    Just months after issuing an atlas of its wind power potential, the governor of the small northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas just formally received an atlas of its solar power potential.  The new atlas is the product of a joint effort of the state government, Brazil’s state-controlled utility Eletrobras, and the Federal University of Pernambuco […]

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    Culmina armonización andina de requisitos para productos de higiene doméstica y absorbentes de higiene personal

    Monday, April 20th, 2009

    Synopsis in English: The Andean Community (CAN) is putting the finishing touches on the new Community norm to harmonize member states’ (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) sanitary control regimes regarding household and personal hygiene products, such as soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleansers, stain removers, bleaches, air fresheners, sanitary towels, disposable diapers, tampons, towelettes, etc. To […]

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    Rio Adopts Environmental Registry and Inspection Tax

    Sunday, April 19th, 2009

    Rio de Janeiro just became the latest Brazilian state to adopt a state-level version of the Federal Technical Registry (CTF) and Environmental Control and Inspection Tax (TCFA). The CTF was created by law in 2000 as a federal registry of industries and activities that the national environment authority, IBAMA, deems likely to produce pollution, and […]

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    Paraná Adopts Take-Back Law for Mercury-Containing Products

    Saturday, April 18th, 2009

    Earlier this month the governor of the southern Brazilian state of Paraná (PR) signed a brief law that would require the take-back of fluorescent lamps, piles, cell phone batteries “and other artefacts” that contain metallic mercury. Who Collects? The law requires resellers of such products in the state to provide suitable collection bins on their […]

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    Fuel Efficiency Labels Hit Brazilian Market

    Friday, April 17th, 2009

    Brazil today presented the first vehicles that will bear the new fuel efficiency labels developed by the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (INMETRO). Brazil was the first to develop a fuel efficiency label for cars, although Chile is also headed in that direction. At the ceremony five manufacturers — Fiat, GM (Chevrolet), […]

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