New Zealand Embraces Electric Cars EVs, Hydrogen to Cut Emissions, Fossil Fuels

Good News Notes: “New Zealand will accelerate its adoption of electric vehicles and investigate hydrogen as an alternative energy source as it seeks to phase out fossil fuels and play its role in mitigating global warming. Announcing its first emissions reduction plan Monday in Wellington, the government said it will initially allocate NZ$2.9 billion ($1.8…

Wireless Heater Made From a Leaf Skeleton Is Fully Biodegradable

Good News Notes: “We’ve gotten very, very good at making things that are cheap and durable. Unfortunately, there are some deleterious side effects. Among them: Our society generates massive amounts of waste that is going to remain in landfills for a long time. What’s more, the process of making these goods is also bad for…

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…

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…

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…

The US finally adopts a national recycling strategy

Good News Notes: “The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new national recycling strategy today, the agency’s first ever such commitment, according to the Washington Post. It’s a roadmap for the US to achieve a goal of recycling at least half of its municipal waste by the end of the decade. That’s a steep rise considering the US’ recycling rate has actually…

Collaboration to make fully compostable diapers

Good News Notes: “Disposable diapers present a huge waste problem worldwide. According to reports an estimated 20 billion disposable diapers accumulate in landfills in the US alone. Similar numbers are true for Europe. Producers aim to make diapers more sustainable and while many components have already been made compostable, the absorbent material essential for any diaper…

Taco Bell is Testing Vegan Meat at Nearly 100 US Locations

Good News Notes: “For decades, Taco Bellhas led the fast-food market in plant-based offerings when most establishments offered few-to-zero vegan options. The international fast-food giant is continuing its reign by diversifying its plant-based portfolio. Taco Bell just announced that it will begin testing its new vegan meat at 95 locations around the Detroit area following a successful…