Organic foods tied to slightly lower cancer risk
A recent French observational study has shown that people who eat the most organic foods are likely to be married, of high income and education levels, eat less meat, drink less alcohol and—most notably—0.6 percent less likely to develop certain cancers. Because some scientists have disparaged the opaque nature of this observational study, the lead author behind the study has emphasized that it is an “overall healthy nutritional diet…whatever the farming system (organic or conventional)” that really makes an impact. Read more at Reuters ...
Tesco wants to pay shoppers for returning plastic bottles
UK grocery giant Tesco is testing out an in-store recycling machine that pays customers 10 pence (roughly 13 cents) for each plastic bottle they put into it. This sustainability venture is projected to be very successful; a recent poll revealed that 74 percent of British shoppers would return their plastic bottles and aluminum cans in return for cash. Read more at The Independent …
Microplastics found in 90 percent of table salt
Greenpeace East Asia tested 39 salt samples from 21 countries in Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia and found that 36 of them contained unprecedented levels of microplastics. Microplastics consist of microbeads, fragments and fibers, and they have been historically difficult to study. While these particles are small in size, there is no telling what kind of damage they could do to marine life and beyond should plastic pollution levels continue to rise. Read more at National Geographic …
Kombucha is king at the convenience store of the future
Things have changed—consumers no longer want their convenience stores to be a mecca for fast food, cigarettes and lottery tickets. Instead, take a look at Green Zebra, a Whole Foods-esque corner store in Portland, Oregon that emphasizes healthy, local fare. The company is an example of what this “ripe for disruption” market needs—a quick-and-easy hub where millennials and Gen Z can discover healthful, consciously-sourced products. Read more at Bloomberg …
For this SoCal restaurant, being plastic-free and polystyrene-free is easy
Companies in the process of becoming plastic-free should look to the founder of GOODONYA Organic Eatery in Encinitas for advice. As Kris Buchanan explains it, consumers are willing to pay minimal fees for ethical packaging and the environmental benefits it creates. It’s the little things, like asking food delivery services whether they are delivering to someone’s home and leaving out the utensils, that make a huge impact. Read more at Forbes …
