Homemade Halloween Costumes

It is getting close to that time of year again where children go trick or treating, jack o lanterns and spooky goblins come out at night. During this time of year we can see our out of pocket expenses skyrocket due to having to purchase costumes for our children to wear. Getting costumes can be a pain and a very big expense while also being bad for the environment. The materials that some of the costumes are made of can be very harmful for the environment as this has led many individuals to want to make their own costumes.

Green Worm Composting

If you meet someone in the street or online there is usually a good chance that the person you are speaking with is doing something to try and become greener and better for the environment. There are many ways that we can do this but it takes time and a willing to become green. Some may start out really small only changing a few things and other people may start out large, converting their home into one big green powerhouse. Unfortunately in this day in age many of us cannot afford to do that so we choose to start out small and there’s no better way to go green than to start worm composting.

Garbage Dump Takes Top Marks for Recycling

At GreenWaste’s San Jose facility, which boasts the nation’s highest recovery rate among garbage processors. Three-fourths of all materials that enter the facility, via curbside bins from throughout Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, never actually go to a landfill.

Having a More Eco-Friendly Halloween

These tips should help you have a fun, eco-friendly Halloween.

Eight Amazing Things About Solar Panels That Could Change the World

One of the biggest reasons people avoided solar power in the past is that it was too expensive and inefficient to be worth their time. Coal has been up to 90% less expensive to use as an energy source over the years, which made other options ineffective. Prices on solar panels have dropped up to 30% in some cases and have come down to the $4/watt range.

California approves carbon market rules

California regulators on Thursday approved final regulations for a carbon market that is one of the biggest U.S. responses to climate change.

Water use growing twice as fast as population!

Eco Friendly Flooring

Eco friendly flooring is one of the latest best trends in home design and renovation.

-Susi

Nurdle hunting.

What's a nurdle? Read this and find out. Protect the world from nurdles!

Remember these?

Remember Simple Shoes?.... They use innovate, sustainable materials to make pretty sweet tennis shoes.

Sustainability in fashion design!

A look behind the scenes of Levi Strauss and how they are involved in sustainability.

Killer Bacteria Could Breathe New Life into Biofuel Production

Scientists have been doing studies with the E. Coli bacteria and are finding that the Fatty Acids that they produce can be used as Bio Fuel. This could mean that many communities and companies could be making their own fuel much closer to home instead of having to ship fossil fuels across vast oceans.

China's Eco Cops

China is the worlds biggest emitter of Carbon Dioxide. After so much growth in manufacturing and in population, the government has decided to step in and do something. Some factories are now hiring Eco-Cops to be on duty and help make the company more eco-friendly. It is a hard task, but some companies have been able to lower carbon emissions up to 19%.

Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: Danish study tilts toward the latter

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/cellphones-are-dangerous-not-dangerous-danish-study-tilts-tow/

Stanford builds super-stretchy skin sensor out of carbon nanotubes

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/stanford-builds-super-stretchy-skin-sensor-out-of-carbon-nanotub/

Solvatten’s Solar Water Sterilization Jug

Swedish company Solvatten recently began distributing its user-friendly solar water sterilization jug in countries like drought-afflicted Somalia. The device disinfects up to 10 liters of water in two or more hours, depending on conditions. To use it, you just fill the jug, open it like a book right down the middle and place it in the sun. Clear plastic panels expose\microbes in the water to UV rays while the black plastic interior absorbs radiation to heat the water. When the water is ready to drink you will see a smiley face on the jug’s heat sensor. Since people often cook over wood fires in rural developing regions and this device cuts out the need to boil untreated water, it can also reduce deforestation, improve indoor air quality, and even save lives.

IndoSole Interview

An interesting interview with Kyle Parsons of IndoSole about the use recycled tires made into sandals in Bali.

Pop-Up ReBoard

ReBoard is a high-strength paper board substrate that is durable, ultra-lightweight, and 100% recyclable. Each piece in the series folds flat, making them easy to transport to outdoor concerts, parks, and just about anywhere you please. ReBoard has an internal layer of fluted paper that gives it the strength of MDF, yet it’s more than 5x lighter in weight. It is also moisture resistant, making it a suitable material for temporary outdoor use. Because the outer layers of the board can be printed, Kinderen also imagines that his furniture could be used with adverts or artwork at concerts or festivals.

Cozy Home for Animals and Plants

Martin Azua's designs created ‘La Vida en los Objetos’ (Life within Objects), a collection of furniture that allows people to interact with animals and plants, and watch them grow. Functional, sustainable, and very cute, these comfy armchairs will hold your favourite fresh herbs while also providing your turtle, rabbit or mouse with a place to hide and rest.

Tri-Bench

This design definitely caught my eye in the 2011 Fringe Furniture Exhibition. Its a very clever and unique bench made out of bamboo and Steel Rods. The simplicity in design and honesty in material is definitely a great inspiration for our project.

Writing Desk Transforms into 6 Chairs

This awesome multi-function desk is a very innovative design. The desk transforms into 6 directors chair and is all detatchable and folds back to be used as a desk. It is made out of wood and cotton. Very cool way to hide or showcase furniture.

New Transport Method

The technology is only for amusement parks now but the idea behind it is eco friendly. Using human power for transportation is much more practical then you might think. People these days just forget the value of their own two legs.

Europeans Are More Worried About the Environment than the Economic Crisis

There is a new poll indicating that two out of three Europeans see climate change as a more serious problem than the global economic crisis. Many see this as something we can easily change, while we can't fix the economy right away.

Tip on How to Recycle Your e-Waste

1. Recycle
2. Donate
3. Sell
4. Get Crafty
5. Buy Recycled and Recyclable Gadgets
6. Use Your Gadgets for as Long as Possible

Wind and Sun

Awesome solar sailboat. Its definitely the coolest thing on the water.

iQ | The Smarter Clean

iQ cleaning products are high-performance solutions made from non-toxic and environmentally sustainable ingredients, which means you're not introducing toxins into your home environment as you clean. The iQ cleaning system features REFill cartridges and reusable spray bottles, which means less waste, fewer trucks on the road and a smaller carbon footprint.

50 Gallon Garden Composter

http://www.greenhome.com/products/kitchen/compost_bins/115685/

Composting effortless in your own backyard! Simply add your kitchen scraps and small yard trimmings to the auto flow system, and watch as you create rich new soil.

Eco Friendly Home Decor

http://www.envirogadget.com/eco-resources/eco-friendly-home-decor/

Going green is a lot easier than many people think. When people hear going green they automatically think of solar panels, no electricity, conserving water, electric powered cars and generally a lot of expense. The truth is that many people do not have the chance to become really green because of the expense of many of the green products. Fortunately you can start out small with something like ecofriendly lighting and go green in a small way at first.

Southwest Airlines to introduce 'Green' interior

Southwest Airlines today announced at its annual Media Day a "green plane," an innovative idea that marries efficiency, environmentally responsible products, Customer comfort, and reduced waste and weight. This plane, a Boeing 737-700, will serve as a test environment for new environmentally responsible materials and Customer comfort products

Automakers achieve incredible mileage in shell MPG marathon

The competition held in the UK has drivers complete a marathon while achieving the best mpg possible. To do so drivers had to drive smart and conserve fuel and change their behaviors while driving.

Eco-friendly remote control

Remote control that powered up using kinetic energy.

Motorcycle that run on human waste...

Japanese toilet manufacturer TOTO created an eco-friendly motorcycle that runs on human waste.

Tunes in Tiles: Recycling Records & CDs into Roof Shingles

http://dornob.com/tunes-in-tiles-recycling-records-cds-into-roof-shingles/

Constructive Concrete: Incredible Carbon-Negative Cement

http://dornob.com/constructive-concrete-incredible-carbon-negative-cement/

Revenge of The Electric Car!

Chris Paine, director of "Who Killed the Electric Car", has a new documentary "Revenge of the Electric Car" that opens the 21st of this month. Go electric!

Anybody remember the EV1?

It was GM's first production electric car released back in the mid 90s. Although quite successful, GM repossessed every last one just a few years later claiming issues with batteries and lack of consumer demand. The 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" tells the story of the EV1 and is definitely worth watching.

Everything I need to know about eco friendly water bottles

Why eco friendly plastics are not so eco friendly.

Tesla Model S Beta

Inside look at Tesla new Electric powered Sedan. Here is another option for those who are looking for an EV that want to fit more then 2 people.

Paul Cocksedge Recycles Vinyl Records Into Low-tech Music Amplifiers Read more: Paul Cocksedge Recycles Vinyl Records Into Low-tech Music Amplifier

Awesome use of recycled vinyl to create an low-tech amplifier for your smart phone. No power or wire is needed to run this. I love the fact that the designer repurpose record vinyls to create an interesting piece affiliated with music. Simple and sweet.

Solar cell phone charger

Why pay for energy when you can just use the sun. Utilizing the sun to charge your phone or possibly other electronics.

Bamboo speakers

Using what nature created might be a better solution to our sound systems. Bamboo comes in many sizes and could be used for many applications. 

all gadgets architecture technology arts transportation Tourism diy Green News Next Previous World's first biodegradable vacuum cleaner made from recycled cardboard is eco friendly

Using old cardboard to clean up the house would seem incredible. Using cardboard to create a fully biodegradable vacuum allows for a vacuum that you can throw away when it breaks or when you want know one. 

Photosynthesis cars, redefining green transportation

This is an excellent concept: to re-harness the energy produced in photosynthesis to our advantage to operate vehicles. But technology is not quite ready for a concept of this complexity and so as of now it is not feasible.

'When Nature Calls' to use human urine for watering plants

This urinal waters plants with human waste. They claim this will make "Users will feel as if they are watering the plants rather than urinating in a public area. This will have a psychological impact on people and force them to think in a positive manner." I am disgusted by this idea and do not see a huge difference in impact on the environment but it does have potential to change our perceptions about human waste and ways to use it instead of just disposal.

Top 10 Green Designs 2010

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Top Ten Green Products for 2010

Posted December 27th, 2010 by Amanda Smith

This year has been a great learning experience for me. I’ve researched thousands of green building products and written hundreds of reviews of eye-catching innovations throughout the building and design industry. One thing I’ve learned is that green designs come in many shapes and sizes.

The best of 2010 can’t be categorized by material, use or aesthetic sensibility, although each is contributing to healthier buildings and building practices in an important way. My top green products for 2010 address the need for eco-conscious design through material and manufacturing processes as well as providing a high level of design and creativity. The goodness of eco-friendly products is undermined if the product does not stand the test of time. Green waste, although possibly recyclable, is still waste.

1. ReMix by 3form

3form is one of the greats in terms of commitment to sustainability and creative, cutting edge design. 3form produces a series of translucent resin and glass materials that are embedded with color and textures which span a huge variety of aesthetics. ReMix is their newest strategy to achieve zero waste by recycling trim pieces left from finished panels and melting them together to create unique composite pieces. Available in 5 color themes, ReMix is made from 78% pre-consumer recycled content and is offered at a discount from standard 1/2” Varia Ecoresin.

2. Bird Safe Glass by Ornilux

Building are the silent killer of millions of birds every year. Ornilux glass, made in Merkendorf, Germany by Arnold Glas, has patterning of UV-reflective coating that is nearly transparent to humans but clearly visible to birds. With a look that has little impact on appearance of the building, and the ability to reduce bird deaths by up to 76%, the new 2011 class of buildings should show their support of the avian race.

3. 111 Navy Chair by Emeco

In a modern day team up between beverage giant Coca-Cola and furniture manufacturer Emeco, the 111 Navy chair is a sustainable version of a classic design. While the original Navy Chair is made with 80% recycled material, Emeco is stepping it up with the 111 Navy Chair, which is made with 111 recycled soda bottles per chair. Emeco expects to recycle 3,000,000 bottles per year through its creation of the colorfully designed chairs.

4. Cercasa Lifewall

If you missed the era of the Chia pet a few decades past, welcome the air cleaning green tile by Ceracasa. Lifewall building facade tile is a system of 1 sq. meter panels that support plant life to create a vegetated facade. The tile is meant to be paired with another Ceracasa product called Bionictile, which works to soak up polluting nitrogen oxide from the air by using the sun’s UV rays and moisture. Together Lifewall and Bionictile create a mini ecosystem which has the potential to solve many current issues with green walls.

5. Knit Stools by Claire-Anne O’Brien

Claire-Anne O’Brien’s comfy knit stools are no brainer in the necessary seating department. Their appeal is based on color, style and warm-fuzzy association which is only furthered by O’Brien’s work with Unesco that enabled local women to make a living via knit products.

6. Recycled Wine Cork Tile by Jelinek Cork

Cork is a hot green product this year from which everything from flooring to lamps to storage units have been sustainably produced. Recycled Wine Cork Tile is a quirky use for bottle stoppers which has a penny tile look that brings us back to the 1920’s. Jelinek makes recycled wine cork mosaic floor by recovering used wine corks and turning them into a beautiful, subtle flooring material.

7. Paper Carpet by Ritva Puotila

Ritva Puotila’s paper carpet designs are rooted in traditional Finnish ryijy, a rug-like tapestry, and inspired by her work with stained glass. Paper yarn is an ecologically produced, recyclable, rapidly renewable resource that is as durable and strong as it is beautiful. Carpet is a culprit of interior air pollution as well as a contributor to landfill stock.

8. Vintage Wine Barrel Flooring by Fontenay Woods

What better way to show one’s true love of wine than by upcycling reclaimed wine barrels and using them as flooring? Recycled wine barrel flooring has a rich, aged quality, and depending on the line, also shows off the markings and hardware of the barrels. Fontenay Woods highlights the intricacy and complexity of wine through their various collections of wine barrel flooring.

9. Wool Carpets by Peace Industry

Peace Industry felt rugs are a labor of love and discovery. Their beautiful collection of native Iranian wool rugs works to support history and tradition through local craftmanship. Recent news of their company has triggered talk of the unexpected consequences of politics on design and cross-cultural relationships.

10. Frank Willems’ Madam Rubens Collection

Rounding out the year with an overly indulgent chair with a cartoon-like design is the Madam Rubens Collection. Recycled mattresses coated in a hygienic, water-resistant foam and painted with a pliable, soft paint have never looked so good. These chubby seating creations have both a sense of style, humor and an attitude towards wasteful design - something we should all add to our New Years Resolutions.

what is sustainable design

This site claims to give a simple answer to the question "what is sustainable design". However, i don't think the definition given is quite correct.

Snow Season

These guys are riding in style and can say that they care about the environment! Lucky snowboards is taking steps forward in expanding sustainable design to slopes. Not only are the boards made from renewable materials but the company itself is environmentally conscious.

YAY for Melted Polar Ice

Obviously this is not a good thing BUT apparently shipping is now going to be faster. Because of the melted polar ice, ships can now pass directly from the pacific to the atlantic via a drastically shorter route through the northern pole region. I suppose that this will lower some emissions from shipping but the real problem of HUGE supply chains and overseas manufacturing needs to be addressed for us to really make any environmental impact.

Return to nature

Why is it that buildings like this make most people feel warm and fuzzy inside? Well maybe I'm the only one but this place looks like it would just make you happy to be there. The beauty of the natural, albeit overthetop, architecture is soothing to look at. If we can somehow re-learn to live with the simple beauty of nature, maybe we can avoid the destruction of our environment. Maybe staying at places like this can reestablish our connection to nature....

Another Handmade Wooden Bicycle

This bike is made entirely of Walnut and weighs a whopping 35 pounds. But check out those wheel! Jan Gunneweg is an Industrial Designer based out of Amsterdam and favors wood over any other material to play with. This bike is his second concept made entirely of wood. (well, minus the fastening hardware)

It's dark but part of manufacturing

Bewaaareee

What the heck are those triangles for?

Here's the info on what those funky little recycling arrows and their numbers mean!

Not sustainble . . . but is it?

This might inspire you a bit. All are honest and simple, in many different ways, different materials, different aesthetics.

New Noise-Quenching Curtains Absorb Sound, Let in Light

http://dornob.com/new-noise-quenching-curtains-absorb-sound-let-in-light/

Magic Glass: Flip a Switch to Turn Clear Sheets Translucent

http://dornob.com/magic-glass-flip-a-switch-to-turn-clear-sheets-translucent/

Trashy

Being called trashy has never looked so good! this is a great example of the opposite with the iphone 4s post, here there are really no trade offs, this thing is made entirely from trash.

Mike Chino Apple Unveils New iPhone 4S Instead of iPhone 5 – Is It Green? Read more: Apple Unveils New iPhone 4S Instead of iPhone 5 - Is It Green? |

Is the apple green? this is something interesting to think about because we usually don't see technology ie. smart phones as green, while in fact the materials, processes and energy usage all strive twoards that goal. It sort of brings the idea of trade offs into play

University of Delaware's electric vehicles are more than just cars.

Pretty cool! From the University of Delaware seven newly designed electric cars were modified, so once they were fully charged they could plug into the power grid and give extra energy back to the city. Check it out.

Go green with this new iphone case!

Get your new iphone case completely recyclable and made from 100% waste. Made from a Taiwanese design firm this case has access to all the ports with a few extra features. With its slimming design, you can't go wrong.

a visual pollution chart

Reading about how polluted our planet is, and how much effect we have on it might not work for everyone since some people are visual learner. I found this interesting chart that helps visual-learner understand how we are impacting our planet...

link

Life Without Plastic

Life Without Plastic is a website promoting people to stay away from plastic material. They are activists for a plastic-free planet.

On this website, they talk about what plastic is, how it's made, and how it could harm the planet and everything/everyone on it. They also have a list of products that are plastic-free so if anyone does care and wants to get rid of items that have plastic in them, they can look up for a better alternative. You can even buy the product from the website.

http://lifewithoutplastic.com/

EarthBag Homes

Plastic bags recycled into plastic bags -- if plastic does not break down for a thousand years, this building is sure to last several lifetimes. Of course covered with adobe or plaster, so that the plastic does not offgas or degrade.

Grove Made: a new direction...

GroveMade is a company located in the US that makes handmade iPhone, iPad, and laptop cases from bamboo. They make product by order (rather than mass-production) and design it the way the costumer wants it (to a limit)

Because they are using bamboo, and most of the work is manual labor, they save a lot of energy (manufacturing) and material. Also, because they are in the US, they spend less money and energy on shipping.

The costumers are happy because they can submit their own design and have a unique case for their product; there is less impact on the environment because of the material and processes used; and they create jobs here in the US. It's a win-win for everyone!

Eco Getaway

Taking part in an Ecovolunteer project is very different from taking a vacation. This trip is not your average holiday. Instead, reward yourself with an unforgettable experience like this!