Day: March 19, 2021

Fueling cars with food waste isn’t science fiction

Read the full story at Centered.

Do you remember in the “Back to the Future” movies how Doc Brown rigged the DeLorean to use garbage as a vehicle fuel? Engineers in Missouri think we could be doing that soon — with some extra steps added so the garbage doesn’t go directly into the vehicle.

Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology say biowaste like food scraps and manure could be converted into renewable natural gas to fuel vehicles. The proposed process also could use renewable hydrogen from surplus electricity generated by solar or wind sources.

Scientists want virtual meetings to stay after the COVID pandemic

Read the full story in Nature.

A Nature poll shows that a year of online research conferences has brought big benefits, but blending them with in-person meetings in future will be a challenge.

New lead battery technology could be lower-cost solution to store solar energy

Read the full story at Mining.com.

US-based engineers have joined forces to develop high-voltage reference batteries for behind-the-meter energy storage applications, based on a bipolar technology that uses silicon wafers in traditional lead batteries. 

The wafers are similar to those in photovoltaic cells and the idea is that the development becomes a ‘plug and play’ solar-powered energy storage system.

Bread to Booze: Misadventure Distillery Makes Vodka from Surplus Baked Goods

Read the full story at The Spoon.

What if you could drink booze and help save the world by reducing food waste? That may be slightly hyperbolic, but Vista, California-based Misadventure Distillery aims to reduce the amount of food waste that enters the landfill by producing vodka made from surplus baked goods.

Hershey unveils new goals to address climate change

Read the full story at Food Dive.

Hershey has unveiled new environmental and carbon emission goals. The confectionary and snacks company aims to reduce its direct and indirect emissions by more than 50% by 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline. It also is investing in energy efficiency projects and adopting a no-deforestation policy across its supply chain.

The company also aims to make 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030 and lower its plastic waste by 25 million tons. This is after Hershey committed in 2015 to reduce its packaging weight by 25 million pounds by 2025, a goal the company said it has met five years early.

Hershey joins a growing number of food and beverage companies that are trying to make their operations more environmentally friendly by reducing emissions and rethinking packaging. 

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese’s plant is a model of sustainability

Read the full post at Dairy Foods.

Powered by green energy, the company’s cheese plant transforms fresh milk into handcrafted fresh cheese in hours instead of days.

I Know Why the Caged Songbird Goes Extinct

Read the full story in The Revelator.

A rampant trade in Asian birds for their beautiful songs is emptying forests of sound and life.

‘Farms are going to need different kinds of robots’

Read the full post from the BBC.

From autonomous harvesting robots and drones that can spray crops, to artificial intelligence, and the use of “big data”, farmers around the world are turning to high-tech solutions to address issues ranging from food insecurity, to climate change, and pandemic-induced staff cuts.

Virginia sets example for fair HOA solar policy

Read the full story at Solar Power World.

Other states can look to the commonwealth as a guide, but the law is still not flawless.

Kroger Funds Ideas From Startups to Reduce Food Waste

Read the full story at Progressive Grocer.

The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is doubling down on its  commitment to end hunger and food waste by launching an open call to its second innovation fund. Eligible innovators with ideas and solutions to prevent food waste can submit an application by April 1 for business support and funding totaling $2.5 million in collective grants.