Back in July, the City of Ottawa made a shift to allow its residents to put plastic bags in the compost bin. People noticed.   After the plastic bag bill passed, many people took to Twitter to voice their disapproval, calling it a "stupid policy" for "the lazy," and "idiotic at a time when in many jurisdictions, plastic bags are trying to be phased out."   While it may seem odd to allow plastic bags in the green bin, many people find it makes the process of capturing household organic waste a little more tidy. Municipalities that allow it skim plastic bags off early in the disposal process.   Many jurisdictions actually encourage the use of biodegradable bags, and consumers buy them with the belief that they will decompose with the rest of the organic waste. But that isn't always true.   Even in the landfill, compostable plastics may not degrade, according to a study done by the University of Plymouth in the U.K. The study tested five types of commonly used plastic bags, including ones labelled "compostable" and "biodegradable," to see how well they break down in different conditions. They tested the bags in both soil and sea, where they remained intact, exactly like regular plastic.   Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, a U.S. business that has gained a reputation for recycling the "non-recyclable," has written about this. In his book Linear to Circular: The Future of Packaging, he writes that most consumers "don't realize … that biodegradable bioplastics will break down only under the right conditions — those of a specific industrial composting facility."   Szaky emphasized that "even if that happens, [the bags] won't contribute value to the compost, unlike coffee grounds or leaves, which have a wide range of micro- and macronutrients as well as a living ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes."   Even if they could create those perfect conditions, some municipalities have banned compostable plastics from green bins, including Toronto.   The City of Toronto website says:  "There are many types of products that call themselves 'degradable.'   "They may be degradable in the presence of certain components … and are made to degrade in a certain time period. This time period and conditions may not match the actual conditions in a processing facility."   The Metro Vancouver solid waste site states that "plastics, including those marked biodegradable, do not belong in the compost as they do not break down properly during processing."   People who are confused or concerned about any kind of plastic have other options. Many municipalities suggest lining your bin with newspaper for an easier clean or simply not lining the bin at all. They also suggest washing out your bins regularly and putting them on the curb consistently, even when they're not full.   Or you could simply call your municipality's facility and ask what they accept.

Health at your fingertips with Landish

Already their company name surprises and we wonder what that means. Landish is inspired by the word outlandish which means strange, unknown. But conversely, Landish means familiar, not that strange. This Montreal startup is focusing on good nutritional health by offering protein bars and powders perfect for breakfast, snacks, on the go or even before or after training.  

Well being at work

The Landish team wants to be part of the daily lives of people who have long, busy weeks. To counteract bad snacks, lack of key nutrients, health and immune systems under pressure and lack of energy, their products are made from ingredients such as reishi mushroom, spirulina and cricket powder. These natural foods are rich, among others, in Vitamins B and B12, iron, magnesium and iodine. In order to continue their mission of staying healthy during the work week, Landish created the "Out on the Landish" series of outdoor activities for businesses in downtown Montreal. Employees can therefore move in groups. Transportation and snacks, of course, are provided by Landish.

Environment

The Montréal startup is focusing on sustainable development and is tackling two issues in particular: food packaging waste and deforestation. To do this, for each order placed, a tree is planted in Quebec, in partnership with One Tree Planted and Landish is also associated with TerraCycle to transform packaging waste into park benches. Finally there is something for everyone. 6 flavors are offered for the bars (mint-chocolate, vanilla-coconut, double chocolate, apple-cinnamon, chocolate-espresso and chaï-vanilla). For protein powders, there is the choice between chai, chocolate or vanilla that can be found according to the different basic foods (reishi, spirulina or cricket powder). It is not the choice of flavors that is missing!

Bang Energy and its chief executive Jack Owoc have found themselves in the legal crosshairs of Monster Beverage Corp after capturing vast swaths of market share. Bang must defend itself against a wide variety of allegations, one of which involves allegations of false advertising.   Monster alleges that Bang Energy’s growth can be attributed to “deceiving the public about the product’s ingredients and the benefits of consumption.”   In turn, Vital Pharmaceuticals – the parent company of Bang Energy – has countersued Monster for trademark infringement, claiming that Monster’s new product line “Reign Total Body Fuel” copies the flavor profiles and ingredients of Bang Energy.   An analysis of the numbers may provide insight into why Monster Beverage Corp has decided to take a hardline legal stance against Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc.     Bang Energy has been the fastest-growing energy drink in the market. According to Beverage Digest, Monster led the market at 36% in a 12-month span that ended in mid-March 2019.   Bang, on the other hand, came in at the seventh position claiming 3.2% of the total market share. While that may not sound threatening, Bang’s market share has more than doubled to 7% since that time.   One of Bang Energy’s advantages is that it has become the go-to energy drink for performance enhancement and sports nutrition. As such, it has become highly popular at fitness clubs across the United States.   Another product by Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Bang Pre-Workout Master Blaster, has also become a leading seller for the company. The energy drink is advertised as having zero caffeine and “super creatine;” a compound that Monster claims to be a hoax.   Creatine is an amino acid that increases muscle energy and can be taken as an energy supplement. According to Monster, advertising on Bang’s website explicitly states that its product “is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”   Additionally, Monster claims that a Yale University pharmacologist tested a variety of formulations of Bang’s energy drink and creatine couldn’t be found in the product at all. The legal battle is ongoing as Bang defends against the allegations.  

Litigation attrition 

  It remains to be seen whether or not Monster is justified in their various lawsuits against Bang, but one thing is clear; Bang Energy has become a serious threat to Monster’s dominance over the energy drink market. To deal with its competitor, some say Monster has adopted the tactic of litigation attrition.   Litigation attrition is a legal strategy whereby large corporations and/or high net worth individuals inundate a competitor that is less capitalized with legal filings until they go out of business.   The goal of litigation attrition is to wear your opponent out financially by having them run out of money trying to match your legal spend, thus they can no longer afford counsel to defend them on the merits of the case.   Historically there are a number of large corporations whom have utilized litigation attrition as a strategy when competition – typically smaller businesses – become a potential threat to their market dominance.  Instead of competing fairly with the market newcomer, these corporations file lawsuit after lawsuit to bankrupt their smaller competitor with massive legal fees.   Litigation attrition favors massive corporations with legions of inhouse lawyers on their payroll and unlimited budgets. Smaller businesses lack the same level of resources as their larger competitors, and will likely fold under the crippling cost of battling long-term litigation.   This tactic is considered to be unethical, but highly effective, allowing large corporations to maintain their market dominance while burying their competition in the process.  

Examples of litigation attrition at work 

  Once upon a time, Coca Cola made it a practice to send lawyers around the country to find small vendors who sold cola products and sue them out of business.   It worked well for Coca-Cola until they encountered Pepsi, whom not only stood their ground but also won the ensuing legal battle and captured a good chunk of the market. Thus, the “cola wars” began in earnest. Pepsi proved that smaller companies could fight back against litigation attrition tactics, and win.   Another example of litigation attrition occurred during the battle between TerraCycle, a small organic plant food company, and Scotts Miracle-Gro, a massive corporation that dominated a large portion of the fertilizer market.   Miracle-Gro accused TerraCycle of making false claims that their products “outgrows the leading synthetic fertilizer.” They also accused TerraCycle of trade dress violations (essentially packaging that looked similar to their own).   Not having the financial might to face Miracle-Gro in a long-term legal battle, TerraCycle took to the public, starting a website called SuedByScotts.com (no longer active), that exposed the situation to the public and made it appear that Miracle-Gro was bullying TerraCycle.   Scotts eventually dropped the case after an agreement was reached between the two companies. It’s unclear how big a role public perception played in Scott’s decision to reach a settlement.  

The legal battle is ongoing

  Litigation attrition is a tactic that has seen its fair share of use over the decades. In the case of Bang Energy vs. Monster, it appears that we’re watching the cola wars play out all over again.   This time, Bang Energy is playing the role of Pepsi who’s standing up to the corporate might of Monster who fits into the role of Coca-Cola.   As of this time, our sources reveal that Monster continues to send legions of lawyers after Bang Energy. That being said, Jack Owoc doesn’t seem to be willing to back down anytime soon and appears to be digging in for a long-term legal battle. Only time will tell who will be left standing when the dust settles.   The USA Herald is initiating coverage on lawsuits in the Energy Drink & Shot categories.   If you have a tip or a story you’d like to read, contact us at Ops@USAHerald.com.  

Back in July, the City of Ottawa made a shift to allow its residents to put plastic bags in the compost bin. People noticed.   After the plastic bag bill passed, many people took to Twitter to voice their disapproval, calling it a "stupid policy" for "the lazy," and "idiotic at a time when in many jurisdictions, plastic bags are trying to be phased out."   While it may seem odd to allow plastic bags in the green bin, many people find it makes the process of capturing household organic waste a little more tidy. Municipalities that allow it skim plastic bags off early in the disposal process.   Many jurisdictions actually encourage the use of biodegradable bags, and consumers buy them with the belief that they will decompose with the rest of the organic waste. But that isn't always true.   Even in the landfill, compostable plastics may not degrade, according to a study done by the University of Plymouth in the U.K. The study tested five types of commonly used plastic bags, including ones labelled "compostable" and "biodegradable," to see how well they break down in different conditions. They tested the bags in both soil and sea, where they remained intact, exactly like regular plastic.   Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, a U.S. business that has gained a reputation for recycling the "non-recyclable," has written about this. In his book Linear to Circular: The Future of Packaging, he writes that most consumers "don't realize … that biodegradable bioplastics will break down only under the right conditions — those of a specific industrial composting facility."   Szaky emphasized that "even if that happens, [the bags] won't contribute value to the compost, unlike coffee grounds or leaves, which have a wide range of micro- and macronutrients as well as a living ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes."   Even if they could create those perfect conditions, some municipalities have banned compostable plastics from green bins, including Toronto.   The City of Toronto website says:  "There are many types of products that call themselves 'degradable.'   "They may be degradable in the presence of certain components … and are made to degrade in a certain time period. This time period and conditions may not match the actual conditions in a processing facility."   The Metro Vancouver solid waste site states that "plastics, including those marked biodegradable, do not belong in the compost as they do not break down properly during processing."   People who are confused or concerned about any kind of plastic have other options. Many municipalities suggest lining your bin with newspaper for an easier clean or simply not lining the bin at all. They also suggest washing out your bins regularly and putting them on the curb consistently, even when they're not full.   Or you could simply call your municipality's facility and ask what they accept.   — Taylor Logan

Back in July, the City of Ottawa made a shift to allow its residents to put plastic bags in the compost bin. People noticed.   After the plastic bag bill passed, many people took to Twitter to voice their disapproval, calling it a "stupid policy" for "the lazy," and "idiotic at a time when in many jurisdictions, plastic bags are trying to be phased out."   While it may seem odd to allow plastic bags in the green bin, many people find it makes the process of capturing household organic waste a little more tidy. Municipalities that allow it skim plastic bags off early in the disposal process.   Many jurisdictions actually encourage the use of biodegradable bags, and consumers buy them with the belief that they will decompose with the rest of the organic waste. But that isn't always true.   Even in the landfill, compostable plastics may not degrade, according to a study done by the University of Plymouth in the U.K. The study tested five types of commonly used plastic bags, including ones labelled "compostable" and "biodegradable," to see how well they break down in different conditions. They tested the bags in both soil and sea, where they remained intact, exactly like regular plastic.   Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, a U.S. business that has gained a reputation for recycling the "non-recyclable," has written about this. In his book Linear to Circular: The Future of Packaging, he writes that most consumers "don't realize … that biodegradable bioplastics will break down only under the right conditions — those of a specific industrial composting facility."   Szaky emphasized that "even if that happens, [the bags] won't contribute value to the compost, unlike coffee grounds or leaves, which have a wide range of micro- and macronutrients as well as a living ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes."   Even if they could create those perfect conditions, some municipalities have banned compostable plastics from green bins, including Toronto.   The City of Toronto website says:  "There are many types of products that call themselves 'degradable.'   "They may be degradable in the presence of certain components … and are made to degrade in a certain time period. This time period and conditions may not match the actual conditions in a processing facility."   The Metro Vancouver solid waste site states that "plastics, including those marked biodegradable, do not belong in the compost as they do not break down properly during processing."   People who are confused or concerned about any kind of plastic have other options. Many municipalities suggest lining your bin with newspaper for an easier clean or simply not lining the bin at all. They also suggest washing out your bins regularly and putting them on the curb consistently, even when they're not full.   Or you could simply call your municipality's facility and ask what they accept.   — Taylor Logan

The DVBIA collected 52lbs of cigarette butts in only one month to show the impact that micro-waste makes on downtown cleanliness.   When the Downtown Clean Team collects cigarette butts, they usually dispose of them using Terracycle, a cigarette waste recycling program that recycles the butts into a variety of industrial products and composts any remaining tobacco.   To show the impact that micro-waste has on downtown cleanliness, the Clean Team stored all cigarette butts picked up from the streets of downtown Vancouver, and in only one month, the team collected 52lbs of butts in the DVBIA’s 90-block catchment alone.       On September 19th, the Downtown Vancouver BIA displayed the 52lbs of cigarette butts in a glass container on the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Joined by the City’s cigarette mascot, Ashley, the team handed out pocket ashtrays – small, envelope-style ashtrays that allow smokers to store their butts until they have access to a trash can.   As part of the City’s annual anti-litter campaign, “Put waste in its place”, pocket ashtrays are being distributed for free year-round at several community centres, libraries, and at City Hall campus in an effort to decrease cigarette litter. The City’s pocket ashtrays were introduced in June and handed out throughout the summer in an effort to help reduce the number of cigarette butts littered on the streets of Vancouver.

REN Skincare's Pop-Up is Made from Repurposed Materials

REN Skincare is passionate about creating products that minimize waste and its newest skincare pop-up in the UK underlines this core value. The new Bicester Village space prominently features repurposed and recycled materials from an old bingo hall and paper mill. Inside the pop-up, visitors will see shelving units made from recycled black plastic, a payment counter made from an art crate and pieces of repurposed timber. Also inside the pop-up, REN is making the most of materials from its Wilderness festival pop-up and plans to reuse these items again for a future event. Earlier in the year, REN Skincare joined forces with TerraCycle to use post-consumer recycled plastic for its packaged products, and it now offers refillable options for some of its top-selling products.    

Cigarette butts are getting second (healthier) lives thanks to a pioneering partnership between Tempe golf course Rolling Hills, waste collection and repurposing company TerraCycle and environmentally conscious smoking solution company EZ Products CLS. This year, seven golf carts at Rolling Hills were equipped with cigarette waste receptacles thanks to a grant from Keep America Beautiful, and so far more than 20,000 butts have been shipped to TerraCycle, which turns them into everyday products such as: Park Benches

September 25, 2019       Share this concept!   For those who’re a brand new guardian or a been-there-done-that guardian, it’s by no means too late to begin your infants down the trail of wholesome consuming.   Maintaining them away from sugary and processed child meals can make sure you’re setting them up with a more healthy immune system and serving to ingrain in them nutritious consuming habits. And, a profit for all of us, more healthy meals often imply a extra sustainable means of manufacturing them.  

Maintain Infants Away From Fruit Juices

  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that oldsters assume twice earlier than giving fruit juice to their kiddos.   In a statement put out in 2017, the AAP concluded that fruit juice provides “no nutritional benefits for infants younger than 1 year.” Mainly, the AAP is telling dad and mom to keep away from juice and, as a substitute, introduce recent fruit to your little ones as quickly as they’re in a position to eat them. The AAP explains that fruit juices are stuffed with sugars that aren’t useful to rising our bodies, or any our bodies for that matter. They’ll trigger diarrhea, extreme weight-gain, and dental cavities.   “Families should be educated that, to satisfy fluid requirements, human milk and/or infant formula is sufficient for infants and low-fat/nonfat milk and water are sufficient for older children,” in accordance with the AAP suggestions.  

Make Your Personal Child Meals

  When child is prepared for first bites, many dad and mom select to make their very own child meals. You possibly can be certain that solely what you need shall be going into your candy child’s physique.   Pureeing entire meals means that you can management the elements and the feel of the meals you’re making. You possibly can skinny purees by including breast milk or components. And, as your child will get extra enamel, you can also make the feel chunkier. Purchase natural produce at any time when attainable. My go-to information for organics is the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.   I saved a meals journal when my women had been little to file all their bites. Because of this, this helped me bear in mind any reactions and meals they cherished to eat. Here’s a puree recipe that handed the style check for each of them. As at all times, seek the advice of your child’s pediatrician for particular meals suggestions. For instance, our physician really helpful beginning off one after the other then step by step introduce new meals.  

Recipe: Natural Root Vegetable Child Meals

  Use natural root greens like candy potatoes, beets, carrots, and so forth for this easy-to-make child meals.  

1. Steam greens for 20-40 minutes (start checking after 20 minutes for desired tenderness). Or, roast veggies within the oven at 400 levels F for 30-60 minutes.
2. Rub off pores and skin and trim off root.
3. Puree in a meals processor or blender and add water, breast milk, or components as wanted for desired consistency.

Extra Child Meals Recipes

  Tasty offers 27 easy baby food recipes together with some wonderful recommendation on child feeding do’s and don’ts.  

Brief on Time? Strive These Prepared-Made Choices

 

White Leaf Provisions

  This family-run organic baby food company takes the stress out of feeding child. White Leaf brings the primary 100 p.c U.S. regeneratively grown and manufactured biodynamic, natural, and GMO-free child meals to retail in the USA. That mouthful merely means they not solely preserve your child’s dietary wants and tiny style buds in thoughts.   White Leaf cares deeply in regards to the environmental affect their product makes. They’ve partnered with TerraCycle to recycle their packaging with hopes to develop packaging that’s utterly compostable and recyclable.  

Glad Household Organics

  Based by a mom of two, Happy Family options two several types of child cereal — every with two flavors.   Clearly Crafted is accessible in oatmeal and oats & quinoa, and Probiotic in multi-grain and oatmeal. Along with cereals, Glad Household additionally provides toddler meals.   The corporate additionally guarantees that 100 p.c of their packaging will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.  

Sprout Natural Child Meals

  Sprout, began by a gaggle of buddies who needed to create natural child meals merchandise, was the primary firm to place child meals in a pouch. They provide fruit, vegetable, and grain blends together with purees made with bone broth. As well as, Sprout additionally has a line of organic toddler snacks.   In early 2019, they teamed up with Partnership for a Healthier America to assist fight childhood weight problems. They’ve pledged that “at least 50 percent of Sprout pouch purees have a vegetable as the first ingredient and will continue to ensure that 100 percent of our pouches contain no added sugars.”  

Gerber Natural Child Meals

  Gerber, based in 1927, now offers an organic option, like fruit and veggie pouches and jars, yogurt blends, grain-based cereals, and snack cookies. Simply search for the natural and non-GMO seals on the packaging.   If you end up with a set of used child meals containers, you may at all times upcycle them. To get you began, listed here are 10 Ways to Upcycle Baby Food Storage Containers.