Inform (environmental organization)

Inform, Inc. is a non-profit environmental organization based in New York City. Founded in 1973, Inform has published more than 100 reports covering chemical hazard prevention, solid waste prevention, extended producer responsibility, and sustainable transportation. [Citation|title = Who We Are|url=http://informinc.org/mission.php|accessdate = 2008-6-24 ] Inform uses media, such as video, to educate the public about the environmental effects of various consumer products.

History

Inform was founded in 1973 by Joanna Underwood in order to document the environmental impact of business practices and identify practical options for change. Inform's research has been cited as providing "the intellectual underpinning for other advocacy groups".Citation| last=Holusha| first=John| title=A Study Calls Household Materials Especially Toxic| newspaper=The New York Times| year=1995| date=March 15, 1995| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DC123BF936A25750C0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1]

During 1976-1978, Inform investigated the land sales industry. The investigation led to proposed consumer amendments in the Federal Interstate Land Sales Reform Act.Citation|title = History|url=http://informinc.org/history.php|accessdate = 2008-6-24 ]

In 1986, recommendations made by David Sarokin and Warren Muir, researchers at Inform, resulted in the US EPA's creation of the Toxics Release Inventory. [Too Little Toxic Waste Data New York Times, Oct 7, 1985, pg A31]

Chemical research done by Inform on the benefits of waste prevention helped lead to the the federal 1990 Pollution Prevention Act. [Citation| last=White| first=Pamela| title=Home, toxic, home| newspaper=Boulder Weekly| pages=14-15|year=2002| date=February 21, 2002]

Dow Chemical Company named Joanna Underwood to serve as part of its seven-member Corporate Environmental Advisory Council in the early nineties. [Citation| last=Holusha| first=John| title=Dow Chemical's Cleanup Czar Unlocks the Gates| newspaper=The New York Times| year=1992| date=September 20, 1992| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE2D6143BF933A1575AC0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1] By creating this council, Dow aimed to allow environmental advocates to examine its business practices.

In 1995, Inform published a "Toxics Watch" report, which revealed that a significant portion of the toxic waste released into the environment originates from consumer products instead of chemical manufacturing plants.

In 2000, Inform's "Bus Futures" report concluded that investment in natural gas buses is crucial in the development of cleaner buses and air. [Citation| title=Alternative Fuel School Buses Earn High Marks| newspaper=Alternative Fuel News| volume=5| issue=3| year=2001| date=November 2001| url=http://www.p2pays.org/ref/38/37690.pdf ]

Between 2004 and 2005, Inform had assisted more than 77 institutions in the Northeastern United States prevent more that 56,000 pounds of toxic chemicals from reaching the waste stream.

The Secret Life Series

Part of Inform's Media Project, "The Secret Life Series" consists of several videos examining the environmental impacts of everyday items. The goal of this series is to increase awareness about the ways that production and consumption affect the environment and public health.

On January 17th, 2008, Inform released "The Secret Life of Cell Phones" online. This video details the implications of disposed unrecycled cell phones and the benefits of recycling old cell phones. The video has reached an audience of over 25,000 people in 87 countries and has been discussed on over 50 blogs. [Citation|title = INFORM Media|url=http://informinc.org/media_coming_soon.php|accessdate = 2008-6-24 ] "The Secret Life of Paper" is the next video that Inform is scheduled to release. Future videos in the series will deal with antibacterial soaps, jeans, and single-use plastic bottles.

Awards

Inform has received awards for its research on the environment: [Citation|title = Awards Received|url=http://informinc.org/awards.php_soon.php|accessdate = 2008-6-24 ]

*1976: National Energy Foundation Award
*1987: US EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Award
*1992: US EPA Administrator’s Award, given because of Inform's national leadership in pollution prevention
*1992: US EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Award
*1993: Federal Fleet Conversion Task Force, received for Inform's staff service on its working group, which was established by an executive order made by President Bill Clinton
*1994: Consolidated Edison of New York’s Enlightened Energy Award, given for Inform's energy conservation efforts
*1994: City Club of New York’s Earth Day Award, given for Inform's leadership in finding solutions to the city’s municipal solid waste problem
*1997: American Society for Public Administration, New York Metropolitan Chapter’s Excellence in Public Service-Outstanding Organization Award

See also

*Sustainability
*Biodiversity
*Global warming
*Recycling
*Ecology
*Earth Science
*Natural environment

References

External Links

* [http://www.informinc.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.secret-life.org/ Official website of the secret life series]