Design
McDonald’s and Starbucks are getting on the reusable cups wagon
Starbuck’s and McDonald’s blow through billions of disposable cups a year, feeding them into a never-ending stream of plastic waste. But in the future, when you order a coffee from them, it could be served in the same cup you used a few months ago. That’s the vision behind the NextGen Cup Read More...
These bricks are made almost entirely from construction waste
Producing the materials that construction companies typically use is often energy-intensive and generates lots of emissions. That’s why there’s a whole slew of companies looking to create a sustainable version of standard building materials. In Scotland, a new startup has launched called Read More...
This restaurant’s SPCA pizza boxes feature local adoptable dogs
If you live near Amherst, New York and are looking for a new pet to adopt, you may not have to look any further than your pizza delivery box. The Just Pizza & Wing Co. franchise is decorating their delivery boxes with images and descriptions of eligible pets for adoption from the nearby Niagara Read More...
Finnish design brand to make its dresses from compostable wood-pulp fabric
Incorporating sustainability into fashion design is something we preach here at The Optimist Daily. That’s why we’re happy to see an increasing number of startups and more popular retailers get on the wagon to make the fashion industry greener. The latest case comes from a partnership between Read More...
Eco Femme is a leader in promoting menstrual education and sustainability
Unfortunately, even in the 21st century, access to clean, safe, affordable menstrual products is a privilege, not a right, for many women. In India, more than 23 million girls drop out of school due to the absence of toilets and lack of awareness about menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Read More...
Futuristic jacket shape-shifts to maintain thermal comfort
Imagine having a hoodie or sweater that regulated its temperature according to the surrounding environment, so that instead of adjusting your thermostat, your clothes would adjust themselves. While that may sound like a far-fetched idea, startup Skyscrape has managed to manufacture a futuristic Read More...
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...