Who We Are
- We’re partnering with the High School for Environmental Studies to create a Secret Life class in which students make their own videos.
- The Secret Life of Cell Phones was screened at cell phone recycling collection points throughout the Johns Hopkins University campus on Earth Day.
- Zayed University in Dubai has requested use of Secret Life materials for its students.
History
From 1973-2007 INFORM operated as a research organization. During that time, it published over 100 reports on a wide range of environmental issues, including clean energy, chemical hazards and waste management. Here are some of the highlights:
1976–1978 – INFORM’s investigation of the land sales industry leads to proposed consumer amendments in the Federal Interstate Land Sales Reform Act.
1986 – INFORM’s recommendations result in the creation of the US EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory, a system for industry to report its releases of toxic chemicals.
1989 – INFORM is among the first organizations to promote the benefits of using natural gas as a fuel option.
1990 – INFORM’s chemical research documents the benefits of preventing waste and inspires the federal 1990 Pollution Prevention Act.
1992 – INFORM’s investigation of chemical plants finds that companies can reduce waste and save money by preventing pollution at its source.
1994 – INFORM publicizes extended producer responsibility, a policy approach that makes manufacturers responsible for their products from creation to disposal.
1995 – INFORM’s Toxics Watch report, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, reveals that much of the toxic waste released into the environment comes from consumer products, not chemical manufacturing plants.
2000 – INFORM is among the first organizations to call attention to the threats posed by the hazardous substances contained in the millions of cell phones discarded annually.
2000 – INFORM’s Bus Futures report concludes that investing in natural gas buses is key for making progress toward cleaner buses and cleaner air.
2004–2005 – INFORM’s Cleaning for Health program helps 77 institutions in the Northeast prevent more than 56,000 pounds of toxics chemicals from entering the waste stream.
2009 – We are proud to announce that INFORM has been selected for this year’s Media That Matters Film Festival and received the "Rethinking Resources" award at festival.
