2018 Champions of Toxics Use Reduction

On June 12, 2018, the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Program will recognize the 2018 Champions of Toxics Use Reduction. The annual event honors outstanding leaders who are making the Commonwealth a safer and healthier place to live and work. 

RSVP with Brenda Wilson at TURI: Brenda@turi.org

Industry Champions

Kettle Cuisine, Lynn

Worked to reduce the use of sodium hydroxide used for cleaning.

Lytron, Woburn

Worked with the TURI Lab to phase out trichloroethyelene (TCE) from its cleaning process.

USPack, Leominster

Invested in capital equipment that reduces the uses of acetone, ethylene glycol and methanol used in manufacturing.

Small Business Champions

Auto Collision Shop at Assabet Valley Technical High School, Marlboro

Using new equipment and water-based gun washing solution that eliminates the use of hazardous solvents.

Little Leaf Farms, Devens

Purchased a high-pressure washer to remove algae from the gutters where lettuce grows, rather than using harsh chemicals.

Walker’s Gymnastics and Dance, Lowell

Purchased new foam pit cubes without flame retardants to protect health of children.

Community Champions

The Field Fund, Inc. Martha's Vineyard

Preserving and maintaining Martha's Vineyard's playing fields using an organic systems-based approach rather than installing synthetic fields.

Silent Spring Institute, Newton

Educated high school students about how to reduce common toxic chemical exposures in their lives.

Town of Williamstown

Hosted training programs on ways the community could reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides that may be harming bee populations.

Worcester Public Schools 

Piloted and evaluated safer cleaning and disinfection products in kitchens and school buses.

Academic Research Champion

Assistant Professor Boce Zhang, UMass Lowell

Worked with Little Leaf Farms and Kettle Cuisine to help the companies reduce the use of toxic cleaning chemicals.

Toxics Use Reduction Planner Champion

Maura Hawkins, Senior Project Manager and President, Berkshire Environmental, Pittsfield

Works with industrial clients to create actionable Toxics Use Reduction plans that result in significant toxic reductions and financial savings.

About the Toxics Use Reduction Program

About the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) Program

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989 is designed to protect public health and the environment while enhancing the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Under TURA, companies that use large amounts of toxic chemicals are required to report chemical use and conduct toxics use reduction planning every two years. Companies benefit from the joint efforts of three agencies – the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection – that provide training, grant funding, free confidential technical assistance, research and regulatory guidance.