Design
Pizza Hut is reshaping packaging with its round, compostable pizza box
Not only will the food we eat be different in the future, but also the packaging. Today’s glimpse into the world of alternative food packaging comes from a surprising suspect: Pizza Hut. The pizza chain is trying to reshape (literally) everything we know about how to transport a pizza, through Read More...
This seaweed-fiber Sumo diaper is the alternative the world needs
In the European Union alone, 17 million dirty diapers are disposed of every day. This is problematic for the environment, especially because the chemicals and plastics needed to make diapers comfortable and anti-bacterial also make the diaper neither non-recyclable nor compostable. In response to Read More...
The Netherlands could use its woodlands to solve its housing crisis
The Netherlands is struggling to keep pace with its need for new homes and the materials needed for them. To solve this issue, the country believes it has found an answer in its own woodlands. According to renowned architect Marco Vermeulen, the Netherlands could build a million new homes from Read More...
The Flair: this redesigned fan uses up to 85% less energy than conventional fans
AC systems and fans use up to 22 percent of the world’s electricity. This generates as many CO2 emissions as all the world’s cars. Strangely enough, however, the design of the fan hasn’t changed in 100 years. That’s why Jay Harman’s design firm, PAX Scientific, has designed a new, Read More...
Nazi bunker to be repurposed into garden-filled hotel
Nazi bunkers from WW2 still stand in many German cities. In Hamburg alone, 1,000 bunkers were built. Now, the NH hotel group plans to turn the largest of them, the St. Pauli bunker, into a garden filled hotel to be completed by 2021. The bunker, which is currently used for gatherings, Read More...
The cleanest kicks around: these classy sneakers are totally carbon neutral
Lots of shoe brands have been coming out with new lines of sneakers made of sustainable sources, but the problem is that many of these brands are huge corporations whose practices are unsustainable overall and who have put out eco-friendly shoes in an attempt to win over the public. Another problem Read More...
NEGATIVE: Direct Air Carbon capture bracelet - a climate solution in your hand
We recently featured a cool Kickstarter campaign that was raising funds to streamline production on “SEADPODS” - recycled plastic planters that can be hung on chainlink fences to greenify urban spaces. We love these kinds of innovative ideas, blending commerce and social or environmental Read More...
This brand is turning old cashmere jumpers into new ones
Cashmere is a luxury good, one people will notice when you wear it. It also has a much larger environmental impact than other fabrics. Whereas it takes the hairs of four goats to make enough wool for one sweater, the wool of one sheep can be enough for five garments. With the demand for cashmere Read More...
Can iceberg-producing submarines change how we think about climate solutions?
In the mission against climate change, innovative futuristic designs are surfacing from some of the world’s brightest minds. One of these ideas was shared with us this week by an Optimist reader and appeared at an international design competition: iceberg producing submarines. The project, Read More...
Why you should consider getting a bidet installed in your bathroom
The bidet: in much of the world it’s the normal, hygienic way to clean your bum after using the toilet. In America, it’s virtually unknown. And that’s a crying shame, both for public health as well for the environment. If you don’t know what a bidet is, allow us to fill you in. It’s Read More...