Plan to plant 100,000 hectares of new forest in Ireland

Good News Notes: “Semi-State forestry company Coillte, which manages Ireland’s State-owned woodlands, has launched a major new strategy to optimise the benefits from forestry. The company aims to massively expand carbon capture, forestry planting, biodiversity and recreational facilities between now and 2050. Coillte manages 440,000 hectares of forest in Ireland, amounting to 7% of the…

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…

These are the world’s first wind turbine blade bridges

Good News Notes: “On a former train track bed connecting the towns of Midleton and Youghal in County Cork, Ireland, workers recently excavated the rusted remains of an old railway bridge and installed a pedestrian one in its place. The bridge would have been an unremarkable milestone in the development of a new pedestrian greenway…

Krispy Kreme UK Launches Three Vegan Doughnuts. Can the US Get Just One?

Good News Notes: “On December 31, doughnut chain Krispy Kreme will launch new vegan doughnuts at its United Kingdom locations. The chain is updating its menu in time for Veganuary, a campaign that challenges people to go vegan for the month of January and beyond. Typically, the Veganuary campaign results in many new product offerings…

New Compostable Film for Sausages

Good News Notes: “Charles Baughan is the third-generation owner of Westaway Sausages Ltd. in England’s southwest county of Devon. His sausages are made the same day the meat arrives at his facility and have a refrigerated shelf life of about 11 days. For the past four years or so, Baughan has been on a mission…

McDonald’s To Phase Out Plastic Toys From Its Happy Meals

Good News Notes: “The toys that come in McDonald’s Happy Meals will soon be made mostly from corn and other materials rather than from fossil fuel-based plastic, the fast-food chain says. The switch is already underway in some international markets; it’s expected to be complete globally by 2025. “Making our toys out of renewable, recycled,…

Limerick-Based 1930 Café Launches With Plastic-Free Lidless Coffee Cup

Good News Notes: “Limerick-based 1930 Café has launched its new coffee shop concept with a plastic-free and lidless takeaway cup as part of its initiative to tackle plastic pollution, including the huge volumes generated by plastic-coated coffee cups and plastic lids. 1930 Café recently opened adjacent to Lidl’s new store on Corbally Road, Westbury, Co…

McDonald’s plant burger launch late to vegan party

Good News Notes: “The McPlant burger will be trialled in 10 Coventry restaurants from late September and go national next year. But the launch lags behind rival fast food chains, such as Greggs with its vegan sausage roll and Burger King with a soy-based Rebel Whopper. McDonald’s said it took its time to ensure it…