Upcycled crops used to make new, surprising products in Japan

Good News Notes: “Upcycling crops that would have otherwise been thrown away is becoming more popular, from making denim out of sugarcane residue to cooking jam from concentrated banana skins. As there is a wide variety of upcycled products, such environmentally friendly brands are likely to catch the eye of consumers. Residue resulting from pressed…

Israeli start-up devises way to convert used nappies into green plastics

Good News Notes: “UBQ Materials is researching a way for turning common household waste into sustainable plastics. The Tel Aviv based start-up is set on developing a material out of the likes of paper, mixed plastics, food residue and dirty diapers that could serve as a substitute to conventional plastic, wood and concrete. This material…

New discovery: Scientists turn plastic bottles into vanilla flavoring

Good News Notes: “While the world is slowly taking small steps to reduce plastic consumption, it becomes more and more evident how global plastic pollution has alarming effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment.  Plastics lose their material value after one use, which is why it is important to find more ways to upcycle them…

Gaza cafe complex serves up lessons in recycling alongside drinks

Good News Notes: “As a model of creative recycling in one of the most densely populated places on earth, a Gaza Strip cafe is serving up a healthy dose of environmentalism alongside its signature morning coffee. The beachside venue is part of the “Sea is Ours” co-operative, a complex built of reused wooden poles, plastic…

Waste hop stem in the beer industry upcycled into cellulose nanofibers

Good News Notes: “Some three quarters of the biomass in hop plants used in beer-making ends up in landfills. But a group of Japanese researchers has developed a technique that ‘upcycles’ that waste hop into cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). A paper describing the technique was published in the journal ACS Agricultural Science & Technology on June 11. In…

Timberland Launches Upcycling Program to Extend its Products’ Lifecycles

Good News Notes: “Timberland will launch ReCircled, a recycling and upcycling program that will fuel the retailer’s circular design and development cycle. The initiative is a major step in Timberland’s goal of having a net positive impact on nature by 2030, through reuse and promotion of regenerative farming practices. Starting in August 2021, ReCircled will let…

Singapore online retailers go green by merging fashion with sustainability

Good News Notes: “There are rising concerns about packaging waste as internet shopping takes off — but some online retailers say they won’t let sustainability take a backseat. Singapore-based online fashion retailer Zalora says it’s pushing ahead with its green commitment and trying to reduce its environmental footprint. “We decided that the best way to…