Target to "Systematically Reduce" PVC Use
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 11. 6.07
Photo credit: What Rhymes with Nicole
Target may finally be feeling the heat from consumer, health, and environmental groups such as the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), which has been vociferous in its campaign to get the nation's fifth-largest retailer to stop selling products made of or packaged in PVC.
The retailer, which makes $59 billion in revenues per year, now says it is reducing its use of PVC in packaging and children's products, such as lunch boxes and bibs. Target says it is committed to systematically reducing PVC beginning with its in-house brands, while collaborating with a variety of its third-party vendors at the same time, according to a CHEJ press release.
Made from vinyl chloride, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a human carcinogen, PVC may also contain lead, which can pose health risks if the plastic deteriorates or when kids put the products in their mouths. Pthalates, a class of chemicals often added to make PVC more flexible, have been linked to male reproductive-development problems. ::Wall Street Journal and ::CHEJ
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Vinyl chloride monomer unpolymerized is indeed carcinogenic. Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC), the plastic sold in consumer products, is not a carcinogen. By fully polymerizing the monomer, the exposure risk is removed.
While the final PVC product may not be carcinogenogenic, the production and desctruction of vinyl products releases dangerous toxins. Factory workers and residents surrounding PVC plants are certainly at risk. I highly recommend the movie "Blue Vinyl", which thoroughly explains the dangers of PVC.
Yes. If you factor in a complete corporate makeover. Their model has been to import (creating lots of C02 along the way shipping) cheap plastic stuff that usually ends up in the landfill withing a short period of time. We'll see if they can discover the build/buy it local mantra or not.
Is there any talk of doing something substantial, like encouraging customers to come to Target stores by foot, bike or public transit rather than by car? This would make a much greater impact on the environment than using a bit less PVC.
Is there any talk of doing something substantial, like encouraging customers to come to Target stores by foot, bike or public transit rather than by car? This would make a much greater impact on the environment than using a bit less PVC.
Yes, undoing their whole business model would do wonders for the environment, as all the stores would close down from lack of business.
Be realistic.