Design
Concrete of the future may be recyclable and even biodegradable
Society has been using concrete to build infrastructure and homes for about 100 years and, throughout its long history, the process has pretty much stayed the same. But it seems concrete is set to get a makeover as the industry attempts to go greener. A few weeks ago we shared how researchers were Read More...
Optimist View: Getting Busy on Operation Waterway Cleanup
By: Amelia Buckley “If you want to do something, do it as soon as possible.” -Boyan Slat In the age of the internet, we at The Optimist Daily hope that stories of gratitude and positivity go viral alongside cute videos of baby animals and awkward memes. This week we are diving deeper into a Read More...
These compostable, single-serve coffee bags promise a waste-free brew
If you’ve been worrying about the environmental costs of your used coffee pods, start-up Steeped Coffee has come up with an innovative brewing method that could cure that guilt. The company has innovated coffee brewing by making it as convenient and simple as steeping a tea bag, only it’s Read More...
This heartwarming Danish ad breaks down the ‘Us vs Them’ narrative
It’s rare that we publish a story about an advertisement, but then again it’s rare that an ad stirs so much emotion within its viewer. In Denmark, a television station ad from 2017 titled “All that we share” challenges the “Us vs Them” narrative that has become so prominent in recent Read More...
A design firm in LA is creating bioplastics that absorb smog
Plastic pollution is one of the worst symptoms of our times. That’s why we’re not shy to publish stories that explore eco-friendly alternatives to the petroleum-based plastics we use every day. And while we have written about bioplastics that are compostable or that are made from waste streams Read More...
This compostable packaging tells you if food has gone bad
“Best-by” labels can be somewhat deceiving at times. The label tells us when the product is still at its prime, but it doesn’t really inform the consumer if the products can still be safe to eat or not. This ambiguity on the label can in part contribute to the issue of food waste. Sure, we Read More...
These living garments capture carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere
As the textile industry faces increasing pressure to rethink its production practices amid the climate crisis, eco-innovators are coming up with ingenious ideas to help achieve that. From mushroom leather to algae T-shirts, the search is on for alternative materials with smaller carbon Read More...
The North Face is expanding their Renewed program to promote sustainability
Pioneered by outdoor brands such as Patagonia, REI, and Osprey, more clothing companies are taking a closer look at how they can make their products more sustainable. The North Face is revamping its North Face Renewed program to invest more in circular design principles and Read More...
H&M’s new "Conscious Collection" features leather made of grapes
Vegan leather is quickly growing in popularity in response to environmental and ethical concerns about traditional leather. H&M’s new "Conscious Collection" will feature all sorts of eco-forward materials, including vegan leather made from grapes! The material is made by the Italian Read More...
This suit warns firefighters when they’re in danger of getting injured
Despite rigorous training and protective clothing, tens of thousands of firefighters suffer burns in the line of duty every year. But a good number of such injuries are avoidable. Because most firefighter gear is heat resistant up to a certain temperature, the insulation can also numb a Read More...