Programs that Promote Sustainability and Technical Assistance with Toxics Contamination

The Natural Step
The TNS Framework is fundamentally based on both an integrated assessment of current economic, social and ecological dynamics, and on the implications of present trends for human society. The approach was developed in the late 1980s in response to growing concerns about the public health problems resulting from increasing toxins in the environment and current societal resource use practices.

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production
The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production is the nation’s leading exponent on the principles of Clean Production. They provide resources and training for grassroots advocates in environmental justice and sustainable economic practices. From their website you can link to their excellent publication, The Citizen’s Guide to Clean Production.

Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC)

TOSC phone contact is 1-800-653-6110 or 541-737-4022

TOSC is a component of the Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center (WRHSRC). TOSC is housed within the Center for Water and Environmental Sustainability (CWESt), a center that coordinates interdisciplinary research, education, and technology transfer on issues related to water and environmental sustainability. CWESt administers several natural resources research and education programs and is located at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

TOSC assists with answering questions about potential health effects and possible cleanup technologies for hazardous waste sites. They assist communities to become active participants in the decision-making process involved in cleaning up hazardous environments. TOSC also holds community workshops and provides educational material regarding human health, environmental risks, and regulatory concerns.