Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled the latest of her accents while speaking at a church in Philadelphia on Sunday: Preacher Kamala. And she's been getting roundly criticized online for it, too. Speaking to a predominantly black congregation at Church of Christian Compassion, Harris said, "Here in Pennsylvania, right now, each...

October 29, 2024

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BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Re-turn, Ireland’s first bottle deposit return scheme, has seen a remarkable metamorphosis since its inception in February 2023. Despite initial criticism, the public has welcomed the idea, with over 630 million cans and bottles dumped in reverse vending machines around the country. From resistance to success Initially, the public was hesitant to engage. There were numerous complaints on social media about machine failures, excessive wait times, and uncertainty about why a new recycling system was required since bins were already in place. However, the tide swiftly shifted, and by August, 111 million containers were being returned every month, up from only 2 million in February. According to Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, this behavioral shift reflects the societal transformation prompted by Ireland’s plastic bag levy in 2001. “Ultimately, it’s a pretty easy way of people feeling good about themselves,” Foley said. “A lot of people want to do recycling, to do the right thing for the planet.” Incentivizing sustainable habits The plan allows consumers to return cans and bottles for a refund of €0.15 ($0.16) for cans and €0.25 ($0.27) for plastic bottles. This incentive has increased recycling rates while also drastically reducing litter on the streets and providing minor cash benefits to homeless people and children. John Eustace, who routinely returns bottles from his office, detailed how the project has evolved into a simple means to pay for essential office supplies, referring to it as “the office petty cash.” For folks like Ciava Dunning, the reward extends beyond the deposit. She described how the project had changed her family’s recycling habits. “We weren’t too pushed about it at first, but then you don’t want to waste the €0.15 deposit, so you get used to it,” Dunning said. Addressing challenges and implementing solutions While the system has been extremely successful, it is not without its challenges. Logistical challenges, such as machine breakdowns and the possibility of smuggling containers from Northern Ireland, originally raised concerns. Supermarkets, which had budgeted between €12,000 ($13,003) and €25,000 ($27,090)for reverse vending machines, were concerned that processing a high number of non-Irish containers would result in financial losses. Re-turn collaborated with suppliers such as Coca-Cola to address these issues by using Irish-only barcodes. “We are delighted with where we are, though we still have a lot to do,” Foley remarked. The road ahead for Re-turn Despite its amazing achievements, Ireland still has work to do to meet EU recycling targets. As an EU member, Ireland must recycle 77 percent of its containers by 2024 and 90 percent by 2029. With about 1.7 billion cans and bottles coming into the Irish market each year, ongoing efforts will be required to meet these targets. To strengthen the system further, Re-turn is working on minimizing the number of containers discarded in public bins. Dublin City Council, for example, is experimenting with installing “surround shelves” on public bins, which would allow customers to leave cans and bottles for collection without contaminating them with other rubbish. A blueprint for the future? For countries such as the United Kingdom, which plans to implement its own deposit return system in 2026, Ireland’s example serves as both inspiration and caution. The challenges of administering such a system should not be underestimated, but the benefits—both environmental and economic—are obvious. “We’ve seen resistance, and we’ve seen success. It’s about finding that balance,” said Foley. With continued work, Ireland is on course to make a big contribution to the circular economy, one bottle at a time.The post Ireland’s ‘reverse vending machine’ bottle return initiative is a recycling success story first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM To answer the resistance band dilemma, we first need to know exactly what strength training is. Strength training consists of activities that put force on muscles, forcing them to adapt and develop stronger over time. According to Susie Reiner, PhD, CSCS, “Strength training is anything that applies tension to your muscles so that they can adapt and get stronger.” So, yes, resistance bands are considered strength training under this criteria, but there are still things to learn before trading in your weights. Can resistance bands increase strength? According to fitness expert Heather Hart, CSCS, the key to muscular growth is progressive overload, which involves gradually increasing the weight or strain given to muscles. Resistance bands can provide enough tension to help beginners make progress. A 2019 study discovered that resistance bands provide equivalent strength-building benefits to traditional free weights in specific situations. However, there is a limit. “You’re going to get to a point where the resistance band can only offer so much resistance,” says Hart. For most people, especially those who regularly strength train, bands may only work for a short period before reaching their maximum potential. The benefits of using resistance bands One distinguishing feature of resistance bands is that they provide variable resistance, which means that the tension changes throughout the activity. This makes them especially useful for strengthening neuromuscular function since they challenge your muscles in various ways than free weights. According to Dr. Reiner, the tension in a squat is biggest at the top, where muscles are strongest, and lightest at the bottom, where you are weakest. This provides a psychological benefit because you are not too challenged at your weakest spot in the range of motion. Resistance bands are extremely adaptable, in addition to their ability to build muscle. They’re portable, inexpensive, and easy to incorporate into warm-ups, mobility work, and rehabilitation regimens. Resistance bands are a convenient way to maintain some amount of strength work while traveling or when you can’t get to the gym. “They’re also less intimidating than a bulky set of dumbbells,” says Hart, making them a viable option for novices or individuals who are hesitant to try strength training. Limitations of resistance bands Despite their usefulness, resistance bands have limitations. As Dr. Reiner notes, “Bands can only provide so much resistance before your muscles adapt.” This implies that, while they’re good for developing initial strength, they won’t get you as far as free weights if you want to gain considerable muscle mass. Free weights allow for nearly endless progression, whereas resistance bands have finite alternatives. Furthermore, resistance bands can weaken with time, making it difficult to determine how much stress you are exerting. As Hart notes, “There’s no way to know that you’re actually getting the resistance you think you are,” especially when bands stretch out or lose their elasticity. This can stymie growth if you’re looking for exact strength improvements via gradual overload. Where resistance bands fit into your routine While resistance bands cannot replace free weights for serious strength training, they remain a vital part of any fitness routine. They’re great for mobility exercises, warm-ups, rehabilitation, and even mild strength training on days when you’re tired or traveling. “There’s always a place for them in your routine,” adds Hart, particularly if you want to increase stability, and flexibility, or target specific muscle areas without using heavy equipment. Resistance bands are ideal for beginners, people recuperating from injury, or anybody who prefers variation in their routines. By including bands in your program with traditional weight training, you may gain the benefits of both methods. Resistance bands are a versatile, convenient, and effective solution for beginning strength training or supplementing your free weight routines.  The post Do resistance bands count as strength training? A comprehensive guide first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Throughout history, governments have faced emergencies so monumental that they led to the creation of entirely new programs, agencies, or offices—each designed to confront and prevent future crises. From environmental disasters to financial meltdowns, these organizations emerged not from careful, gradual planning but from a pressing need for change. Here’s a look at ten government […] The post 10 Facts about Government Programs Born from Crisis appeared first on Listverse.

Long before M3GAN did her creepy little dance, Chucky unleashed a never-before-experienced fear of dolls. (Okay, M3GAN is not exactly a doll, but you get the idea.) Nearly twenty years before Netflix introduced the Scream TV series, the original Ghostface made us double-check that our doors were locked at night. There is a reason why […] The post 10 Origin Stories Behind Iconic Old-School Horror Movie Villains appeared first on Listverse.