Good News Notes: “The University of Toronto will eliminate fossil-fuel companies from its endowment fund, beginning immediately, according to a news release issued Wednesday. The University of Toronto Asset Management Corp., the investment manager of the C$4 billion ($3.2 billion) endowment fund, said in the release it will divest all direct investments in fossil-fuel firms…
Month: November 2021
Mayor Wu Signs Ordinance To Divest City Funds From the Fossil Fuel Industry
Good News Notes: “At her first bill signing, Mayor Michelle Wu today signed an ordinance requiring the City of Boston to divest from fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries by the end of 2025. The ordinance, co-sponsored by then-Councilor Wu, Councilor Edwards and Councilor O’Malley, was unanimously approved by the Boston City Council last…
Amazon’s new packaging for cold and frozen food is made from layers of recyclable paper
Good News Notes: “Amazon is taking plastic liners, bubble bags, and some of the consumer guilt out of grocery deliveries. The company says it has created new packaging for cold and frozen foods that is made from recycled paper, and can be recycled in curbside bins. It rolls out starting this month for Amazon Fresh…
Popcorn used to create an eco-friendly alternative to polystyrene foam
Good News Notes: “Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is a problematic material, in that it’s cheap and lightweight but also non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle. German scientists have developed a possible alternative, though – foam made out of popcorn. Georg August University’s Prof. Alireza Kharazipour first got the idea over 10 years ago, when he bought…
Enzymes and wood biomolecules, a winning combo for sustainable packaging
Good News Notes: “A biotechnology company hidden among the forests of southern Finland thinks trees can help sustainability in Europe to become deep-rooted. Sustainable multi-purpose products Researchers at Metgen Oy are mixing enzymes and biomolecules from wood and bark to replace raw oil-based materials. Some of these renewable biomaterials have already been developed and used in different…
Local Zero-Waste Startup Taking On Amazon Creates A New Way To Get the Essentials
Good News Notes: “Finding sustainable ways to get your everyday essentials is often difficult. From hand soap and toilet paper to cereal and pretzels, everything seems to be wrapped in plastic and delivered in boxes. The Rounds, a zero-waste refill and delivery service that launched in The District in August, is on a mission to create…
Zero-Waste Retailer Launches No-Waiting Checkout Solution
Good News Notes: “Pioneering zero-waste grocer Nude Foods Market has deployed MishiPay’s mobile self-checkout solution as the primary payment method at the independent retailer’s flagship store in Boulder, Colo., instead of conventional registers. The technology allows shoppers to shop and check out with their own cell phones, eliminating the need to wait in line to pay at…
Drive-thru food distributions serving hungry San Diegans
Good News Notes: “The cars start lining up early and before long, they’re stretched out of the parking lot and down the road. About once a month, at the Faith Chapel here in Spring Valley, Feeding San Diego staff and volunteers turn this spot into a stop on what they call the “Together Tour.” “Anyone…
Police rescue man from water at Saugatuck Shores Beach in Westport
Good News Notes: “Police say they pulled a man from the waters of Saugatuck Shores Beach early Tuesday morning. Just before 6 a.m., police responded to the Saugatuck Shores Beach on a report of a missing older adult, Lt. David Wolf said. Several officers began searching the area and soon found the missing man, partially…
‘A no brainer’: Suburban nurses step up to help out overwhelmed restaurant while on work trip
Good News Notes: “Instead of serving their patients, a group of suburban nurses served up some hamburgers to help out a busy restaurant while on a work trip. The group was from Northwestern’s Central DuPage Hospital and were trying to order dinner in Atlanta while on a trip for the annual Magnet conference. That’s when…