News bytes - from expansion to reduction

While trying to finish my green car article and working on a story about chemicals made from vegetable oil and animal fats, several news came my way and here are some of them:

1. Cereplast said it will start its 223,000 tonne/year bioplastic plant in Indiana by January. The bioplastic production facility is reportedly the largest in the world.

2. Ireland is banning incandescent light bulb in favor of a more energy-efficient alternatives by 2009, according to Reuters. Ireland is the first among European Union members to implement such a ban, which, said Greenpeace, will hopefully light the way for other countries to follow.

3. Global renewable energy sources continued their double-digit growth this year, according to the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report. In 2006, solar photovoltaic technology showed the strongest growth with 50-60% per year.

4. Former president Clinton is initiating a greener public housing plan in New York City, according to the New York Times. The goal is to reduce electricity use by 15% by using more energy-efficient light bulbs, heating systems, and insulation.

and last but not the least...

5. Aluminum producer Alcoa is expanding its recycling facility in Tennessee by 50%. Alcoa expects to recycle nearly 14bn aluminum cans this year.