Announcing Resource Conservation Training
After successfully conducting TUR Planning for at least three cycles, Massachusetts companies can address other issues within the context and time frame of toxics use reduction planning. 

This fiscal year, we are providing the training needed to certify alternative plans on resource conservation (RC) opportunities. 
 
Thursday, January 23
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
TURI, 126 John Street,
Suite 14, Lowell
This training is only for TUR Planners who are not currently, but are interested in becoming, authorized to certify RC plans.

During this one day training, you will learn about the various natural asset areas delineated by the TURA program for RC planning and how you can apply TUR planning methods to assess opportunities within these asset areas.

Friday, Feb. 7
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Devens Commons Center,
31 Andrews Parkway, Devens
This training is available to any TUR Planner, including those who attended the training on January 23. TUR Planners already authorized to certify RC plans will be given priority for attending this space-limited training.

6 CE credits are available (2 for each of the following natural asset areas: energy, water and materials contributing to solid waste).

Other TUR Planners can also attend this training for 6 TUR Planner continuing education credits. Learn more.
We Need Your Input on Safer Alternatives to Halogenated Solvents
To help companies identify safer substitutes to halogenated solvents, TURI is launching an Alternatives Assessment project. To make sure that it is useful to you and your company or clients, we need your input. Please register for one of the dates below. Each workshop is from 10 a.m. to noon (1 CE credit). 


The completed Alternatives Assessment will be designed to help you screen, select and evaluate safer substances in your manufacturing facility.
TURI Receives Heinz Grant to Work on Artificial Turf and Organic Grass Research and Outreach
TURI was awarded a renewal grant from the Heinz Endowments to continue providing support to Massachusetts and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) communities for managing grass playing fields organically, and researching hazards associated with synthetic play surfaces.

Our team aims to bring together concerned community members, decision makers, and organic grass experts to share experiences and discuss safe solutions for playing surfaces throughout Massachusetts. TURI has created a number of written resources summarizing material hazards associated with artificial turf and playgrounds .

TURI has also created case studies showcasing actual performance and annual costs for organic playing fields in Springfield and Marblehead.

For more information on safer playing surfaces, please visit turi.org/artificialturf . To request printed copies of reports, or to submit questions about artificial turf, playgrounds, or organic grass management, please use our digital request form.
Outreach on the Danger of Mixing Common Cleaning Chemicals
Earlier this month, the general manager of a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Burlington died after floor-cleaning products containing chlorine bleach and acid were inadvertently used together. Within two weeks of that tragedy, chemical fumes from mixing cleaning chemicals at a Red Robin restaurant in Woburn sent three employees to the hospital.

These dangerous chemical reactions can also happen with little warning in our homes, especially in small and enclosed environments like bathrooms. Many products contain bleach, some toilet bowl cleaners contain acid and some glass cleaners contain ammonia.

TURI Laboratory Director Jason Marshall works with companies and janitorial formulators to find safer cleaning substances or methods that work as well as toxic cleaners. He shares his knowledge on which combination of cleaning products to avoid and how to reduce the use of toxic cleaners in homes and small businesses. Read more.

Please share this information with family members, friends and colleagues.
Fall Continuing Education Conference a Success
The fall Continuing Education Conference included sessions on nanomaterials, switching from solvents to safer alternatives, and REACH and other regulatory restrictions.

During the morning fundamentals session, attendees received notice of the recently updated MassDEP TUR Planning Guidance . Rich Bizzozero of OTA also summarized some of the findings associated with a recent DEP review of a small number of TUR Plans. 

Pam Eliason used a well-received instantaneous polling software to engage the group. See a few examples below of the questions and answers in real time.

What TUR technique have you had the best TUR results with?
What's one word that describes positive aspects of TUR Planning at your facility?
What challenges in TUR Planning do you encounter at your facility?
Save the Date for the Spring CE Conference
The spring CE Conference will be held on April 14 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley.