Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
20 results for "waste reduction"
Two European companies have cracked the code on reducing plastic waste while keeping fruits and vegetables fresh for weeks longer. Their innovation combines an edible coating with plastic-free packaging that could transform how groceries reach your table.
A British lock manufacturer just proved that ditching plastic packaging doesn't require reinventing the wheel. Squire reduced its plastic imports by three-quarters simply by swapping blister packs for boxes and cards.
In Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar, exam student Ashutosh collects wasted food from community feasts and feeds it to stray animals. His quiet act tackles India's 78 million tonnes of annual food waste, one plate at a time.
Major stadiums and concert venues across America have kept over 23 million disposable cups out of landfills by switching to reusable alternatives. Companies now offer full-service programs that deliver, collect, and wash durable cups for sports arenas, festivals, and schools. #
A children's hospice thrift shop drowning in damaged donations found an unexpected savior. Fashion graduate Victoria Ford is transforming their unwanted rags into premium pieces, turning waste into hope.
A Berkeley company just won $2 million for an edible coating that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh twice as long without any chemicals. The breakthrough could slash grocery store waste by 30% and help feed more people worldwide.
Mardi Gras is getting a green makeover as New Orleans tests biodegradable beads embedded with okra seeds. Instead of filling landfills with lead-laden plastic, festival-goers could soon toss gifts that bloom into beautiful flowers.
Ethiopia just enforced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags, taking a major step toward cleaner streets and healthier ecosystems. The country is backing up the law with fines and prison time while helping citizens make the switch.
New research shows America can slash plastic pollution and save taxpayers billions through proven policies already working in five states. The tools to fix our plastic problem are here and ready to scale.
Volunteers with soldering irons and sewing needles are teaming up to fix broken toasters, ripped jeans, and busted toys instead of tossing them. Rice County's free Fix-It Clinic teaches people repair skills while keeping perfectly good stuff out of landfills.
A community group in Harare is helping neighbors earn money by converting food scraps into organic fertilizer using earthworms. The chemical-free system cuts waste, boosts crop health, and creates sustainable income for local families.
That receipt in your wallet might be coated with toxic chemicals that seep into water, soil, and even people who handle them daily. Swiss scientists just cracked the code on making thermal paper from discarded wood waste instead.
A 26-year-old engineer in Nagaland built a solar food dryer from bamboo and recycled cans for just $83, helping 500 farmers turn spoiling crops into cash. Farmers now earn 30-40% more by drying and selling produce months after harvest.
A Yale study reveals biodegradable plastics could slash toxic pollution by over a third and reduce global waste up to 65% by mid-century, but only with proper disposal systems. Without the right infrastructure, these eco-friendly alternatives could actually double greenhouse gas emissions.
A Portuguese airline eliminated all single-use plastics from its flights, preventing 100 kilograms of plastic waste per long-haul journey. Seven years after their historic first plastic-free flight, Hi Fly proves sustainable aviation is possible without sacrificing passenger comfort.
Australians will soon get 10 cents back for every wine and spirit bottle they recycle, expanding a program that's already saved 440 million containers from landfill. The change arrives mid-2027 and could divert an extra 13 million bottles from waste each year.
New Jersey just made it easier to say no to unnecessary plastic forks and ketchup packets. Starting August, restaurants will only give you single-use items when you actually ask for them.
Swedish researchers created an AI inspection system that catches welding defects in real time, helping factories slash waste and boost quality. The technology could transform manufacturing by acting as "smart eyes" on production lines.
A Japanese tech company just solved a massive waste problem plaguing factories and smart cities worldwide. Maxell's new rechargeable battery replaces millions of disposable industrial batteries that currently end up in landfills every year.
Seventeen residential communities in Chennai just kept nearly three tonnes of old clothes and shoes out of landfills through a simple swap during Pongal celebrations. The grassroots effort proves neighborhoods can tackle waste without waiting for big solutions.