Design
This portable charger is made from repurposed batteries and recycled plastic
Flexible plastics such as plastic bags, bubble wrap and pallet wrap are typically turned away from recycling facilities because of their supposedly low commercial value. Each year, the world produces 150 billion kilos of such non-recyclable plastic, all of which are most likely to end up in Read More...
This DIY kit decontaminates face masks and make them safe to reuse
Many types of face masks used in hospitals by nurses and doctors, like the N95, aren’t designed to be reusable. But due to a shortage of such protective gear, frontline workers have no other choice than to use the masks over and over again, putting them at higher risk of contracting the virus. Read More...
Why jute is one of the most promising alternatives we have to plastic
Even though we’re aware of the awful effects of plastic pollution, the detrimental environmental phenomenon continues today. Part of the problem is that plastic is such a durable, accessible material that can be used for a wide range of things such as shipping and packaging. Despite this, we know Read More...
Engineers create a new ventilator prototype from breast pumps
The global shortage of ventilators needed to treat severe cases of COVID-19 has led companies like Dyson, Apple, and Ford to create innovative new products to meet hospital demands. An innovative team in Maryland is joining the effort and creating ventilator prototypes out of breast pumps. The Read More...
These recycled plastic tracksuits are colored with botanical dyes
Here at The Optimist Daily, we love spreading the word about sustainability-driven clothing brands that are on a mission to drag the fashion industry away from its trajectory to harm the environment. That’s why we’re happy to present to you PANGAIA, an eco-friendly clothing company creating Read More...
College students are recreating their campuses on Minecraft
Many college students are finding themselves back at home after universities across the country canceled in-person classes and postponed or moved graduation ceremonies online. That's why some students are turning to an unusual platform to reconnect with the campuses they called home: Read More...
Coffee grounds could skip the landfill to produce eco-friendly bioplastics
The International Coffee Organization estimates that the world produces over 6 million tons of coffee grounds annually, most of which is tossed into the bin once it's used. Looking to find a more useful end life for coffee grounds, scientists at Yokohama National University have examined whether Read More...
A startup called Platio just installed the first solar home driveway
Back in 2018, Hungary-based tech company Platio announced its goal of introducing the world to the aesthetically-pleasing solar pavement, which could partially replace home driveways and provide clean energy to households. Flash forward two years, and Platio has just installed its first solar Read More...
Architecture studio makes its reusable face shield model open-source
The urgency to tackle the increasing shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) has given rise to numerous heartwarming initiatives from people and companies from all backgrounds to step forward and come up with solutions. And architects and designers are not falling behind in this honorable Read More...
These water-soluble cubes are helping hotels reduce plastic waste
When it comes to tackling the ubiquitous problem of plastic waste, the only solutions actually able to put a dent in this urgent environmental crisis are the ones that encourage reducing and reusing plastic in the first place. That’s why here at The Optimist Daily we are always happy to share Read More...