Meet the Siblings Fighting Plastic Pollution

Good News Notes: “Can you both tell us about your organization, Hidden Plastic, and what inspired you to start an environmental initiative? Zara: Hidden Plastic educates people through a series of dark comedy videos on some of the problems, but also solutions, to the global micro-plastics issue. We started our journey in the summer of 2020 when…

Boat owners use drones to create global database on plastic pollution

Good News Notes: “AnimaMundi Ocean Data Solutions, DJI and Lagoon are using drones to build a comprehensive database of plastic waste on coastlines throughout the world. AnimaMundi is a not-for-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its proprietary technology interprets photo and video records to extract a single-use plastic bottle count. The information can be captured via an app using…

This ‘floating continent’ could collect and recycle plastic from the ocean in future

Good News Notes: “‘The 8th continent’ is an award-winning design that recycles ocean plastic and is completely self-sustainable. Its five-part structure contains everything from greenhouses and living quarters to biodegradable waste collectors. Senior designer at Zaha Hadid Architects in London, Lenka Petráková, developed the idea for her student master thesis a few years ago in Vienna,…

Spanish Brand Hawkers Designs Sustainable Sunglasses

Good News Notes: “A new era of eyewear is on the horizon with Hawkers, a Spanish brand creating eco-conscious sunglasses at an attainable price. With a range of spectacles to choose from, Hawkers has garnered attention among soccer icon Lionel Messi and DJ  Steve Aoki who have been seen wearing the brand’s sleek styles.  The sustainable…

Simple steps toward reducing waste this holiday season

Good News Notes: “With concern about climate change growing, this holiday season is a chance to try celebrating in more planet-friendly ways. Simple changes to the way we gift wrap, send cards, decorate and entertain can cut out a lot of waste. (And often save money in the process.) “This is the year to approach…

ABB helps Zume offer compostable food trays

Good News Notes: “Switzerland-based ABB Robotics says it has signed an agreement to collaborate with California-based packaging maker Zume to supply robotic cells designed to boost Zume’s production of what Zume calls 100 percent compostable packaging “made from plant-based agricultural material.” “ABB robots will automate production, enabling the scale and speed required to make Zume’s…

Tipa eyes compostable future

Good News Notes: “Compostable packaging manufacturer Tipa, which was established in Israel in 2010, believes compostable alternatives are set to dominate food packaging in the near future. Tipa’s vision for flexible packaging is to have the same end-of-life as organic matter, while maintaining the qualities of conventional plastics that consumers and brands have come to…

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…