How a biofuel crop can mitigate climate change

Good News Notes: “Newly published Michigan State University research details how switchgrass, a biofuel crop, can mitigate effects of climate change when grown on marginal land—agricultural land of little value. For farmers, it may also provide economic returns in these otherwise unproductive spaces. The research was published in Environmental Research Letters. The team was led by…

Union Pacific makes major donation for Ukrainian relief

Good News Notes: “Union Pacific will donate $500,000 to humanitarian relief in Ukraine, its largest-ever corporate donation for disaster relief, the company announced today. The funds will be split between the American Red Cross and Save the Children. The company had previously announced a 2-1 match for employee donations to six organizations providing direct support…

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…

Texas has enough solar and wind planned to permanently shut down coal

Good News Notes: “ A research team at Rice University is modeling least-cost paths to a renewable energy future for Texas, a state that burns more coal and emits more sulfur dioxide than any other. The myriad of health and climate-related harms caused by coal do not need to persist any longer, according to the researchers. The…

Starch-based, Compostable E-comm Cold Chain Panels are Good for Meal Kits

Good News Notes: “Veritiv is using its time at PACK EXPO East to demonstrate a range of new, fiber-based materials, including a starch-based panel system called Storopack Starch Insulated Panels. The product is manufactured in the USA by Storopack, a fifteen-year partner of Veritiv with a commitment to sustainability. The two have an exclusivity agreement.  Food and beverage…

A New Paper To-Go Cup Removes Plastic Lids From The Fold

Good News Notes: “For the eco-minded cafe, single-use to-go cups are a tough nut to crack. On one hand, they are vital for a majority of coffee sales, especially since the start of the pandemic where a variety of measures have limited if not outright banned indoor dining (for a time). But on the other…

Miami Beach ditches Coke, picks Pepsi as plastic-free drink sponsor

Good News Notes: “The city of Miami Beach is breaking up with Coca-Cola as the city’s exclusive water and soft drink sponsor after Coke wouldn’t reduce the plastic packaging for its products. On Wednesday, the city officially announced its new partner — PepsiCo North America — which is committing to a green new deal with…

Hero vet braves Ukraine battle zone to rescue animals

Good News Notes: “A veterinarian is being hailed as a hero after he navigated war-torn Ukraine to save animals caught in the crossfire of the rising conflict. Jakub Kotowicz has rescued over 200 cats and 60 dogs from Lviv, across three convoys. The 32-year-old entered the war zone last week as part of a caravan from…