Wood, metal, paper & fabric can help cut climate-harming plastic

Good News Notes: “Replacing plastics used in buildings with metal, wood, ceramics and glass, turning to paper and fabric for packaging, and boosting recycling rates could slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, researchers said on Monday. A mixture of substitution, changes in business models and consumer behaviour, and producing more plastics without using fossil…

LEGO to phase out single-use plastic packaging

Good News Notes: “The LEGO Group has announced plans to package its products in recyclable paper rather than single-use plastic. The Danish toymaker said in a statement on Tuesday that the new bags will begin appearing in LEGO boxes starting in 2021, as part of a $400 million investment into sustainability initiatives over the next three years. The…

How Amazon is using machine learning to eliminate 915,000 tons of packaging

Good News Notes: “Amazon’s 2019 Climate Pledge calls for a commitment to net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040. Since then, the company has reduced the weight of their outbound packaging by 33%, eliminating 915,000 tons of packaging material worldwide, or the equivalent of over 1.5 billion shipping boxes. With less packaging used throughout the supply…

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Donate $130,000 to CAMFED on His Birthday

Good News Notes: “The Sussexes are celebrating Prince Harry’s 36th birthday in their signature fashion—with a charitable donation to an organization close to their hearts. It was revealed on Tuesday that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a generous donation towards CAMFED, a pan-African charity that helps revolutionize how young African girls receive an education throughout the…

17th-century merchant ship discovered in the Baltic

Good News Notes: “Divers in the Baltic have discovered the well-preserved wreck of a 17th-century Dutch merchant ship. The Finnish Badewanne diving team was searching for first and second world war wrecks at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland when they made the discovery. ‘It was to our great surprise when descending on a…

Pau Gasol Names Newborn After Kobe’s Daughter, Gianna

Good News Notes: “Kobe Bryant‘s former teammate, Pau Gasol, just paid perhaps the greatest tribute to him and his late daughter, Gianna Bryant, by bestowing her name onto his own flesh and blood. The former Laker announced the birth of his and his wife’s first child — a girl that they’ve named after Gigi. He also made…

More EVs by 2050 could save thousands of lives, American Lung Association finds

Good News Notes:   “America has a pollution problem, especially when it comes to how we get around. From our semi-trucks to trains to school buses to personal cars, we’re emitting too much carbon dioxide. And it’s costing us our health, environment, money, and lives.  The American Lung Association released its “‘Road to Clean Air‘ report…

Volunteers stepping up to adopt animals rescued from neglect

Good News Notes: “More than one-third of the 54 cats and dogs brought to the Animal Protective League in Springfield because of two incidents of animal neglect have been either adopted on pre-adopted. Another one-third or so could be finding their way out of the shelter between Monday and Tuesday, said Ian Wick, APL’s adoption…