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2/15/08
Toys'R'Us to Begin Ridding Shelves of Toys Containing Toxic PVC Plastic
Leading Retail Outlet for Children's Toys Joins Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Kmart
in Adopting Goal to Phase Out Toxic Plastic
Falls Church, VA ... Today Toys"R"Us
announced a new policy to reduce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, phthalates,
and lead in children's and infant toys. The company is reducing PVC use and
is moving towards a goal of offering PVC-free products. They also announced
that by the end of 2008, juvenile products must be produced without the
addition of phthalates. In a separate statement, Wal-Mart announced the
company is also requiring suppliers to phase out phthalates in children's
toys. Toys"R"Us is the latest major retailer to adopt a goal to reduce its
use of PVC.
"Toys"R"Us' new PVC-free goal is good news for our children's health, safety,
and well being," said Michael Schade, PVC Campaign Coordinator with the Center
for Health, Environment and Justice. "PVC toxic toys often contain dangerous
chemicals such as phthalates and lead. These toxic chemicals have no place in
our children's toys and should be eliminated from store shelves everywhere
they are currently sold so that no potential harm comes to any child who might
otherwise come into contact with them. We call on Toys"R"Us to take the next
step by setting clear benchmarks and timeframes for phasing out toxic PVC toys
in order to prevent harm to our children's health."
CHEJ joined SEIU, Working Families Party, and other organizations at media
events in October and December calling on Toys R Us to phase out PVC and other
harmful chemicals in their toys.
Advancing its mission to prevent health-related harm to individuals and the
environment, CHEJ has been campaigning vigorously to educate retailers and the
public about the dangers associated with PVC plastic in toys, packaging, and
other consumer products. Toys"R"Us is joining a growing list of dozens of
companies including Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Kmart, Microsoft, Johnson &
Johnson, Nike, and Apple that are eliminating or reducing its PVC products and
packaging.
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice exists to mentor a movement to
build healthier communities by empowering people to prevent harm.
For more details on CHEJ's PVC campaign visit www.besafenet.com/pvc.
12/12/07
Sears/Kmart Becomes Latest Retail Giants To Phase Out Toxic PVC Plastic, Major Source Of Lead, Phthalates, And Dioxin Exposure
Falls Church, VA ... Sparked by a national campaign led by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), together with a coalition of health and environmental organizations, today Sears Holdings (Sears and KMart) has announced its plans to begin phasing out products and packaging containing the toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, commonly known as vinyl. Sears and KMart join Wal-Mart and Target, in reducing and phasing out PVC in products and packaging. Target’s policy was just announced last month. Sears Holdings, the publicly traded parent of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., is the nation’s sixth-largest retailer with over $50 billion in annual revenues and approximately 3,800 retail stores in the United States and Canada.*
[read full release]
[Learn more about Sears's Commitment]
11/06/07
Target to Systematically Reduce PVC in Infant Products, Children's Toys, Shower Curtains, Packaging
After a national campaign by CHEJ and a coalition of health and environmental organizations, Target has agreed to systematically reduce its use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, commonly known as vinyl. The company is reducing PVC found in many of its products including infant products, children’s toys, shower curtains, packaging and fashion accessories. Target, the fifth largest U.S. retailer with $59 billion in revenues a year, is joining a growing list of dozens of companies that are eliminating or reducing its PVC products and packaging.
[read full release]
[Learn more about Target's Commitment]
9/27/07
New Testing Finds Lead in Children’s PVC Toys Sold in Massachusetts
Advocates Urge Recall of PVC/Vinyl Toys at Global Chemical Industry Conference and Call for Statewide Policy Reform to Replace Toxic Toys with Safer Alternatives
[read full release]
[see photos from action at the World Vinyl Forum]
[See article in NewYork Times]
9/6/07
23 Organizations Issue Joint Report Critiquing Wal-Mart’s Sustainability Initiatives
Human rights, labor and environmental groups find Wal-Mart’s "green" initiatives lack real impact on global warming, employee health and welfare
[read full release]
7/10/07
New Study: Over 60% of PVC Packaging Violates Laws in 19 States Across the Country
Elevated Levels of Toxic Lead and Cadmium Commonly Found in PVC Packaging
[read the full release]
7/10/07
Strong Support for Shareholder Resolution at Bed Bath & Beyond Encourages Company to Replace Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products
Shareholders voted 22 percent in favor of resolution encouraging the company to evaluate measures to reduce and eliminate potentially toxic chemicals in Bed, Bath and Beyond's products.
[read the full release]
5/24/07
Target Faces Mounting Pressure to Phase Out PVC
New Report Shows Target Lags Behind Other Major Retailers in Refusing to Replace PVC Packaging, Toys and Shower Curtains With Safe Alternatives
[read the full release] [view additional media resources]
5/30/2007
Remarkable 45 Percent of Shareholders Support Sustainability/PVC Resolution at Hasbro
PVC Chemical Issue Also Raised with Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond; Toy/Game Maker Hasbro Lags Other Companies, Progress Seen at Sears and Mohawk Industries.
[read the full release]
5/4/07
Wal-Mart, Apple Announce New Plans to Eliminate PVC
Wal-Mart commits to support industry standard to eliminate PVC from all children's products, adding fuel to the national campaign challenging Target to “meet and beat” Wal-Mart’s commitment.
[Read the full release.]
2/27/07
USGBC Final Report: PVC an Unhealthy Building Material
"When we add end of life with accidental landfill fires and backyard burning, the additional risk of dioxin emissions puts PVC consistently among the worst materials for human health impacts..."
[Read the full release.]
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