New restrictions could see L.A. go plastic-free

Good News Notes: “A new “zero waste” policy in Los Angeles could see the city go plastic-free in the near future. L.A. city officials say it’s time to lead by example and continue phasing out plastic items and products that are wasteful and detrimental to the environment. This includes utensils, polystyrene or styrofoam food containers,…

Virgin is helping Grove Collaborative go plastic-free by 2025

Good News Notes: “Sir Richard Branson opened his first record shop in London in 1971. Reminiscing at Fast Company‘s Most Innovative Companies Summit, he described it as a hippie’s dream: “Cushions on the floor, headphones, a joint or two in most people’s hands,” he said. “It was those days when you could pick up a Dark Side…

Bostock unveils new packaging solution

Good News Notes: “Bostock New Zealand has spent over 12 months developing what it believes to be the world’s first certified home compostable zip-lock pouch bag for apples. The bag is made from rice, potato and corn derivatives blended together. John Bostock, owner of Bostock New Zealand, said it took 12 months to develop a…

These 19 Companies Are Ditching Plastic Packaging – Food Tank

Good News Notes: “The world produces around 300 million tons of plastic waste every year, according to the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP). This plastic waste is detrimental to human and planetary health, releasing greenhouse gases, polluting soil and waters, and threatening marine wildlife. Plastic waste is now so abundant, the U.N. has declared it a planetary crisis. Food and…

Coles introduces own-brand home compostable coffee pods

Good News Notes: “Australian supermarket chain Coles has launched home compostable coffee capsules under its Coles Urban Coffee Culture brand. The compostable pods are made with bio-sourced cellulose and vegetable oils. Coles claims that the sustainable capsules take around as much time to decompose in home compost bins as orange peel does. The pods are certified by…

Brooklyn native turns single-use plastic bags into reusable totes

Good News Notes: “Meet Alex Dabagh, the founder of aNYbag, the company turning New York City’s plastic trash into luxury totes. Plastic has been a blessing and burden for humankind. The artificial material can create inexpensive and useful goods, but most plastics outlive humans. It takes plastic bags anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years to decompose in landfills. Many…

Compostic cling wrap is biodegradable, just as good as plastic

Good News Notes: “Every year, people in the United States buy enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the entire state of Texas. While that may sound impressive, the downside is that plastic wrap is difficult to recycle because it can clog machines and tends to end up in landfills, incinerators, or in the mouths of marine life. It…

Plastic-free packaging: a sustainable change at Velux

Good News Notes: “Velux Group, a manufacturer of pitched roof windows, is using new sustainable packaging for its best-selling pieces. 90% of its packaging is now plastic-free and made from a single FSC-certified cardboard-based material. This decision will save the company up to 900 tonnes of plastic per year and simplify disposal, which if not…

Lasso Is a Home Recycling Machine to Fix Our Recycling Problem

Good News Notes: “Recycling is something many of us take for granted, assuming what we throw in the bin ends up getting recycled properly. But current curbside systems aren’t particularly effective, especially if the material isn’t clean or a plastic isn’t actually recyclable, so much of what goes into your blue bin can end up in landfill. Enter…

Keurig Dr Pepper To Pilot Compostable Paper Bottle

Good News Notes: “Keurig Dr Pepper is developing a recyclable and compostable paper bottle that it will test in the United States.   The No. 56 consumer goods company is teaming with Cologne, German-based packaging manufacturer PAPACKS for a bottle that uses fiber and organic materials, rather than the plant-based PET plastic or sustainably sourced pulp with…