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At the Ben & Jerrys factory in St. Albans, Vermont, thousands of gallons of ice cream waste are now being turned into biogas, creating energy for the states electric grid. When factory workers start to produce a new flavor and switch the machinery from, say, Cherry Garcia to Chunky Monkey, they have to push all the leftover ice cream out of the pipes and rinse them with water so that the flavors dont intermingle. That creates a lot of waste that cant be sent to wastewater treatment plants. Previously, hundreds of tanker trucks would haul that ice cream waste away from the factory. But now, that waste travels right from Ben & Jerrys through an underground pipe to a facility outfitted with anaerobic digesters. [Photo: PurposeEnergy] Anaerobic digesters function like an artificial gut, says Eric Fitch, CEO of PurposeEnergy, a biogas developer that partnered with Ben & Jerrys to build the new St. Albans facility. Bacteria in the digesters eat organic waste and then release a combination of methane and carbon dioxide. That biogas functions like fossil fuel-derived natural gas, and can even fit into existing natural gas pipelines. PurposeEnergy and Ben & Jerrys have had a long relationship; PurposeEnergy also has a facility in South Burlington, Vermont, where Ben & Jerrys used to truck some of its ice cream waste. (Back in 2020, Vermont banned food waste from going to landfills, where it can create methane emissions.) The two companies began working on the St. Albans facility back in 2021, figuring out a feedstock agreement. Construction for the plant began in 2023, and its now sending electricity to the Vermont grid. Though the two companies partnered on the facility, and a pipeline directly connects Ben & Jerrys to the anaerobic digesters, ice cream waste isnt the only feedstock being turned into biogas. The PurposeEnergy facility also gets organic waste from a few nearby breweries and other sources, and is permitted to handle 50,000 gallons of organic waste a day. Currently, Ben & Jerrys contributes some 6,000 gallons a day from its ice cream operations. [Photo: PurposeEnergy] With all of that organic waste, PurposeEnergy can produce about a megawatt of electricity for Vermonts grid, enough to power 1,300 homes. Now that the ice cream waste can travel by pipe to become biogas, Ben & Jerrys can also make 600 fewer truck journeys a year, reducing the company’s carbon emissions. The biogas plant also reduces phosphorus pollution. Food waste is full of phosphorus, which can run off into the environment and cause issues like algae blooms. The PurposeEnergy facility binds that phosphorus with iron, creating iron phosphate, which can be used as a fertilizer that won’t run off in the rain. The PurposeEnergy plant also recovers thermal energy from its operations to heat the digesters. Biogas is considered renewable because it doesnt take any carbon out of the ground like fossil fuels do. Instead, that carbon came from the atmosphere. Some plant, through photosynthesis, absorbed that carbon, and then either that plant ended up as waste, like it might at a brewery, or it was eaten by an animal and converted into, say, milk that went to an ice cream factory and ended up as waste, Fitch says. When that biogas is burned, the carbon goes back into the atmosphere, but it doesnt increase the amount of carbon in the atmosphere since it came from there in the first place, Fitch says; its just part of the carbon cycle. But some environmental experts caution that biogas reinforces our dependence on fossil fuels. They also say that renewable natural gas made with organic waste, can still come with a lot of the same environmental hazards of fossil fuel gas, like methane leaks from pipelinesand delays the transition away from power production that doesn’t involve burning any gas at all. Proponents argue that biogas can play a role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. And because it is equivalent to natural gas, it fits into the current system. We can take renewable natural gas and we can put it in the same natural gas infrastructure that’s going to homes and businesses all over the country, all over the world, Fitch says. We don’t have to install any new kind of distribution system.
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E-Commerce
Feeling comfortable enough at work to speak your mind can undoubtedly make for a pleasant work environment. But today many employees are biting their tongues at the office, especially when it comes to their political leanings. According to a recent My Perfect Resume survey of 1,000 U.S. employees, in today’s fraught political climate free speech is hard to come by at work. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of employees say they feel the need to exercise caution around how they communicate with their employer and their workmates. Largely, they are worried about backlash over their political views: 68% say they don’t talk about politics. This fear stands to reason: 43% of U.S. employees say they have either witnessed or personally experienced discrimination over political viewpoints. Likewise, employees whose politics don’t align with their companies’ feel they have to smile and nod: 41% said they felt pressured to agree with a “workplace stance” on social and political views to avoid blowback. Over half (56%) say that cancel culture has destroyed open dialogue. On the surface, it might look like were having more open conversations at workbut beneath that is a culture of fear and self-silencing, said Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume. Employees are being told they can speak up, but theyre also reading the roomand staying quiet. While there’s always been an old school belief that religion and politics should only be brought up in good company, in recent years cooperations have become more vocal on political matters. One study found that partisan speech from companies rose sharply from from 2012, with a major shift starting in late 2017, when political tweets from corporations doubled. Politically vocal companies may be appreciated by some consumers who want to know where to spend their dollars and what brands to boycott. However, the vast majority of people wants businesses to stay quiet on politics. According to a 2024 Axios Harris poll, less than four in 10 U.S. adults (38%) believe businesses should take public stancesa decline of 10 points since two years earlier. Still, in the current political climate, it may be more important than ever to seek out employment at a company whose values align with your own.
Category:
E-Commerce
Ditch the commute and embrace the pajama pants-powered productivity of remote work. Plenty of fantastic tech companies are not only offering remote positions but are also highly regarded by their employees. Ive scoured the job boards and employee reviews to bring you eight that are actively hiring for hundreds of remote roles right now. Judging from their Glassdoor ratings, these outfits are borderline-beloved by the folks who work at them. If you’re on the hunt for a flexible work setup at a company where people genuinely enjoy their jobs, this list is for you. Rula (Glassdoor Rating: 4.6) Rula is a behavioral health technology company on a mission to make high-quality mental healthcare accessible to everyone. It builds tools and services that empower therapists and streamline the process for individuals seeking support. Employees rave about Rula’s mission-driven culture and commitment to employee well-being. Links: Careers page | Open positions (12) | Glassdoor CoinTracker (Glassdoor Rating: 4.6) CoinTracker is a platform for cryptocurrency tax compliance and portfolio tracking, providing users with a way to manage their crypto finances. Employees at CoinTracker appreciate the challenging and engaging work, as well as the company’s supportive and forward-thinking culture. Links: Careers page | Open positions (16) | Glassdoor Cresta (Glassdoor Rating: 4.5) Cresta uses AI to help customer service teams. Their real-time intelligence platform guides agents and improves customer interactions. Cresta is known for its cutting-edge technology and a company culture that values innovation and customer success. Links: Careers page | Open positions (12) | Glassdoor Oscilar (Glassdoor Rating: 4.4) Oscilar provides AI-powered credit risk management solutions for financial institutions to help lenders make faster and more informed decisions. Oscilar is praised for its innovative technology and a work environment that encourages learning and collaboration. Links: Careers page | Open positions (14) | Glassdoor Mercury (Glassdoor Rating: 4.2) Mercury is a banking platform that offers FDIC-insured bank accounts, virtual cards, and more. It focuses on providing a seamless and intuitive financial experience for businesses. Mercury is known for its customer-centric approach and a company culture that values innovation and teamwork. Links: Careers page | Open positions (42) | Glassdoor Airbnb (Glassdoor Rating: 4.2) Airbnb . . . well, you know what Airbnb is, right? It revolutionized the travel industry by connecting travelers with homeowners around the world. Employees at Airbnb often cite the company’s mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, as well as the opportunities for impact and growth. Links: Careers page | Open positions (135) | Glassdoor Dynatrace (Glassdoor Rating: 4.1) Dynatrace provides an all-in-one observability platform that combines AI-powered analytics and automation. It helps organizations ensure their digital performance and deliver exceptional user experiences. Dynatrace fosters a culture of innovation and offers ample opportunities for professional growth. Links: Careers page | Open positions (35) | Glassdoor Headway (Glassdoor Rating: 4.0) Headway is building a new mental healthcare system that makes it easier for people to find and afford quality therapy. They partner with therapists and insurance companies to create a more accessible and streamlined experience. Headway employees are passionate about the company’s mission and appreciate the supportive and collaborative work environment. Links: Careers page | Open positions (56) | Glassdoor
Category:
E-Commerce
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