ARCHS' St. Louis Area Communities Against Toxics Community Partnership (SLACAT) is helping North City residents learn how to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Thanks to everyone for making this year's Tox-Away Day event a success despite the rain.

Watch for pictures and video soon.

ARCHS' April 2010 Tox-Away Day (Sorry, no further events planned this year)

View 2009 Video

View 2009 Slideshow

ARCHS' SLACAT Community Partnership:

In 2007, ARCHS was awarded a $100,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help area residents and small business owners learn how to safely dispose of hazardous waste items.

The EPA Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) grant funds ARCHS’ St. Louis Area Communities Against Toxics (SLACAT) Community Partnership that focuses on safe ways to dispose of household and small business toxics (paint, lawn/garden chemicals, and more). SLACAT addresses air/water quality, lead and indoor mold issues to reduce risk exposures. The grant promotes local problem solving initiatives that can be replicated across the country.

ARCHS is working with St. Louis’ Hall Street Industrial Corridor (the St. Louis neighborhoods of Baden, Mark Twain/1-70 Industrial Area, O’Fallon, Penrose, Riverview, Walnut Park East and Walnut Park West) because of the known environmental risks in this area.

ARCHS' partnering organizations will add an additional $100,000 in expertise and services. ARCHS serves as the grant’s fiscal agent and managing partner.

ARCHS’ SLACAT Community Partners:

• City of St. Louis-Refuse and Recycling Division
• Missouri Botanical Garden - EarthWays Center
• New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church (2010 Tox-Away Day Site)
• Riverview-West Florissant Housing Corporation (27th Ward)
• St. Louis College of Pharmacy
• St. Louis Jefferson County Solid Waste District
• St. Louis Public Schools (2009 Tox-Away Day Site and Walbridge CEC Council)
• St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District
• U.S. EPA (funder)
• Veolia

SLACAT plans to collect 3 tons (6,000 pounds) of household hazardous waste over a three year period. SLACAT will focus on working with residents and business owners. SLACAT will host a series of community Detox Your Domicile and Tox-Away Day training events to educate community residents and small business owners about the dangers of improper waste disposal.

The EPA's OEJ’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement program requires selected applicants, or recipients, to use the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model as part of their projects. The model assists affected communities in developing proactive, strategic, and visionary approaches to address their environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability.

Going Green Resources:

Here are some tips on ways to go green and reduce toxics.

For Homes:

Did you know that the products you use for cleaning, home fix-up, auto repair, and gardening can contain ingredients that can harm you, your family, your pets, and the environment?  Did you know that compact fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and medicines can be harmful if not stored, used, and disposed of properly? 

The average home can have as much as 100 pounds of harmful toxic products under sinks, inside medicine cabinets, and in the basement, garage, and other storage areas.  What is toxic?  Look for the warning label that reads "DANGER", "WARNING", "CAUTION", "TOXIC", "CORROSIVE", "FLAMMABLE", or "POISON".  

Be smart about toxic household products.  For everyday tasks, try alternative less harmful products when available.  NEVER pour harmful products down the sink or drain, flush them down the toilet, or pour them on the ground or into storm drains.

Here are some helpful tips for running a green-friendly home.

Clean Green

Detox Your Domicile

Unwanted Medicine

For Businesses:

Did you know that the products used to operate printers/copiers, control pests, and clean, remodel, and decorate your office or small business can contain ingredients that can harm you, your co-workers, housekeeping and maintenance staff, and the environment?  Did you know that poor quality doormats, cluttered workplaces, blocked air returns, and tobacco smoke near doors, windows, and walkways can be harmful? 

Most Americans spend a third or more of most days indoors in a workplace, yet indoor air pollution frequently is two to five times greater than outdoors. Pollution impacts us all and especially those with asthma, allergies, heart ailments, or other chronic conditions.  Many sources of indoor pollution are relatively easy to track down and correct.  Walk through your office or small business and make note of substances or situations that may be a problem now or in the future.  Most can be resolved through voluntary efforts, like using alternative less harmful products in partnership with cleaning and maintenance crews.

Here are some helpful tips for running a variety of green-friendly businesses.

Green Businesses

Green Restaurants

Green Child Care Centers

Green Car Repairs

Free Green Poster for Your Business