The Ann Arbor-based tea company Arbor Teas will begin selling its organic teas in 100 percent backyard compostable packaging starting on Thursday in honor of Earth Day.

The packaging is made of a cellulose film made from wood pulp sourced from sustainably-managed trees, the company said.

Previously, the business packed its teas in a recyclable, parchment-lined paperboard canister and in a biodegradable kraft bag. The company sells only sells USDA certified organic teas.

U-M launches sustainability Web site

U-M has a new website to raise campus awareness about sustainability issues, research and activities, the university announced.

The website is also mean to communicate U-M's campus sustainability goals, such as purchasing renewable energy credits. The Web site can be found at www.sustainability.umich.edu.

New Energy Star guidelines The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new guidelines for homes that receive the Energy Star label.

The new guidelines will require new homes to be at least 20 percent more efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, according to a release. The requirements will go into effect January 2011.

Among elements in the new guidelines, Energy Star qualified homes should have:

• A complete thermal enclosure system • High-efficiency heating and cooling systems • Complete water management systems • Third-party verification

For more information about Energy Star qualified homes at http://www.energystar.gov.

To get information about a local environmental event or announcement mentioned in the Tuesday environment briefs, contact reporter Tina Reed at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.