Transforming Organic Waste and Generating Economic Benefits
Discovered in 1980 [1], nanocellulose is a nanomaterial derived from cellulose, the most abundant organic polymer on Earth and the major ingredient in organic waste streams. It is composed of nanofibers which are smaller than the width of a human hair, making it extremely lightweight [1]. It is also 4 times stronger than stainless steel […]
Michigan is a Climate Haven in a Warming World. Will Everyone Move Here?
*The header image used in this article is an illustration by Sean McKewon-Young | Advance Publications It seeped through gaps in the windows and doors. The smoke was inescapable, a constant, sickening odor of a bonfire they didn’t light. They duct taped every opening or crevice – even the dryer vents in the basement – […]
Rounding the Corner: Towards a Circular Economy in Canada
Canada repeatedly ranks in the top ten waste-producing countries globally. (1) Much of Canada’s waste piles up in landfills. (2) Ontario is expected to run out of landfill capacity by 2032, and even sooner if the United States prevents Ontario’s waste from crossing the border. (3) Excessive waste is a hallmark of a modern, linear […]
Rollout of the First Major Residential Plastic Film Recycling Program in the U.S. is Kicking off in the Great Lakes Region
WM and Dow announced the launch of a bold new collaboration to improve residential recycling for hard-to-recycle plastic films by allowing consumers in select markets to recycle these materials directly in their curbside recycling. According to The Recycling Partnership, currently, only 1.9% of U.S. households(1) have access to curbside plastic film recycling, which is the […]
Sustainable Construction Practices: One Company’s Focus on the Full Life Cycle of Spaces
Whether in the Great Lakes region or across the globe, there is an opportunity for the real estate sector to address greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts on climate by implementing sustainable construction practices. By using renewable and recyclable building materials, utilizing smart technologies, and designing and operating energy and water efficient buildings, sustainability in […]
Powering a Net-Zero Future for Ontario
Ontario Power Generation and Microsoft collaborate to create a Canada-first strategic partnership to power a net-zero future for Ontario. In September of 2022, OPG and Microsoft announced a Canada-first strategic partnership aimed at tackling climate change and supporting sustainable growth across Ontario. Under this partnership, Microsoft will procure clean energy credits (CECs) sourced from OPG’s […]
Food Waste Management at Meijer
The Issue Food waste goes far beyond banana peels and the moldy mystery leftovers tossed from the back of the fridge. Much of the food that’s wasted is behind the scenes — out of the eyes of the average consumer. Based on a 2022 McKinsey & Company publication, 33 percent to 40 percent of the […]
From ‘Recyclable’ to ‘Recycled’: Process Innovation Makes the Circular Economy Real
You’ve seen the photos. Mountains of plastic trash on land; islands of plastic trash floating on the sea; wildlife encumbered by plastic; protestors calling for bans on plastics—and legislators listening and acting. On the other hand, plastics are incredibly useful polymers—strong, relatively light, and durable, they enable a world of life enhancing and life-saving applications. […]
Making Recycling Fun
When students actively learn through fun and engaging experiences, they have a better chance of retaining that learned knowledge and incorporating it into various aspects of their lives. And when it comes to learning about recycling, it can make a big difference – not only at school but also at home and in their community. […]
Building Workforce Capacity and Solutions to Capitalize on Retrofit Opportunities
Canada’s green retrofit economy is primed for significant growth between now and 2050, and this growth will come with many benefits. Through green retrofits, Canada’s buildings can contribute to net-zero climate targets, make buildings more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events, and provide rewarding job opportunities while strengthening the domestic supply of low-carbon […]