Kudos to Sears and KMart (both of Sears Holding Co.) who are exhibiting more eco-consciousness in certain areas similar to Apple, Target, Johnson & Johnson, WalMart and Microsoft by phasing out pvc products and pvc packaging of their products.

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/printer.cfm?NewsID=36400

"Journey of a thousand miles", eh? Every step counts.

gee, I wonder if we should all stop using pvc pipe in our gardens as arches, stakes, teepees, etc?

What about PVC pipes? Those are sometimes used as WATER pipes!

I am falling over in a dead faint!

Searches here on OG can provide a great deal of info about pvc and pvc use in organic gardening.

In general (very general) there's two major problems w/PVC. First, in the materials used as additives (or compounding) to make the pvc more pliable. This is most significant in pvc packaging, vinyl flooring and vinyl siding, as opposed to rigid pipe. Secondly, concerns have been raised over the years regarding all PVC production because of the carcinogenic dioxins released during its production and processing. Another negative aspect of pvc is that - especially in its compounded form - it can't be recycled and many landfills won't even accept it.

A fairly complete and fairly objective Story of PVC can be found:HERE

But in specific regard to my post about major companies phasing out PVC packaging, this article from The Organic Consumers Association can be very enlightening.

In the end, like all controversies, it's up to the individual to decide what's acceptable to them. Myself? I used to use pvc pipe lengths as supports for my hoops,which are made from flexible drainage hose. I'd slide the hose into the pipe; raising and lowering the 'hoop' as needed. Now, I use pieces of rebar and slide the drainage hose over the rebar and proceed in the same 'raising' and 'lowering' fashion as I did w/the pvc. But that doesn't mean I still don't choose to use pvc for other reasons in the garden. Like I said, it's all about individual, informed choices.

Far as packaging, I see no reason whatsoever why pvc should still be used for that. So I'm glad those companies and others are phasing it out for that purpose.

You would be surprized to learn what we are exposed to daily. Did you know that Drinking water pipe used to be made out of Asbestos? It was called AC pipe. It sort of looked like concrete. They used it for big main lines. Also, switches containing mercury were used in the drinking water supply for many years. Hopefully, the mercury switches are long gone, but I am sure the AC pipe is still in use in many rural areas. Water pipe is generally left alone unless it needs to be replaced.