NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF) has issued three key guidance documents that set the stage for the future of environmental cleanup. The documents comprise a comprehensive road map for sustainable remediation – a movement to encourage cleanup projects that remove potentially dangerous contaminants from the environment while limiting external impacts and minimizing the use of energy, water, and other natural resources.

SURF’s goal was to assist remediation practitioners by developing practical guidance on this rapidly evolving and often misunderstood subject. The trio of documents includes:

• Framework for Integrating Sustainability into Remediation Projects
• Metrics for Integrating Sustainability Evaluations into Remediation Projects
• Guidance for Performing Footprint Analyses and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for the Remediation Industry

The Framework document outlines a sustainability assessment process that can be integrated with traditional, goal-based regulatory criteria. The Metrics document provides an extensive menu of quantitative and qualitative parameters, scalable to project size and scope, which are used to determine and balance the influences and impacts of a remedial action. The third document lays out a nine-step process for conducting either an environmental footprint analysis or LCA.

Sustainable remediation is not only about using “green” technologies, but thinking holistically about cleanup projects. Technological advances and life-cycle thinking embraced by sustainable remediation helps practitioners reduce or eliminate the unwanted effects of remediation, improve efficiency, and reduce human health risk.

State and federal agencies also recognize the environmental, economic, and social benefits of more sustainable approaches to cleanup projects, and are assessing and applying sustainability concepts in their regulatory programs. At a recent SURF meeting, Jennifer Borski of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources remarked on the collective desire for better and cleaner cleanups, stating that “PRPs [primary responsible parties], environmental professionals, academics, attorneys and regulators have come together to develop better ways to address environmental contamination. These efforts ultimately benefit everyone and are commendable.”

To learn more, join SURF at its next meeting in Seattle, Washington, September 21-22, or visit SURF online at www.sustainableremediation.org. The guidance documents, metrics toolbox, and SURF’s ground-breaking White Paper are available at www.sustainableremediation.org/library.

CONTACT: Maile Smith, communications@sustainableremediation.org, (408) 202-4829

SURF’s mission is to advance the science and application of sustainable remediation, develop best practices, exchange professional knowledge, and provide education and outreach. SURF is a non-profit corporation organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3).

SOURCE Sustainable Remediation Forum