Circularity
Understanding the value of a circular economy and identifying circular solutions are essential to changing our world for good. Circularity, or the zero-waste principle of keeping materials in a closed loop and away from landfills and incinerators, is the future. Find out about the latest innovations and solutions accelerating the transition towards a circular economy in the articles here from The Optimist Daily.
Apple co-founder advocates for right to repair policies
In Europe, right to repair laws are ensuring that customers don’t have to buy new goods when something breaks 一 saving them money and reducing waste. Many environmentalists and consumer advocates are urging the US and other countries to adopt similar measures, and want companies to step up to Read More...
This startup makes petrochemicals from captured CO2
Petrochemicals, chemicals made from fossil fuels, are present in an estimated 6,000 products (and probably more), but Bay Area startup Twelve thinks there is a better way to produce these chemicals. And maybe even help the planet while they’re at it. Rather than sourcing petrochemicals from Read More...
This sleek, zero-waste kitchen design takes a stance against personal waste
A zero-waste kitchen is every eco enthusiast's dream. But, as many of us might know by now, leaving no waste behind when cooking is a daunting, if not seemingly impossible, task. In an effort to make things easier, designer Ivana Steiner has created a sustainable kitchen — made of recycled Read More...
Heineken is turning wasted beer into sustainable energy
When the pandemic forced us into lockdown, many of our favorite watering pubs, bars, and restaurants had to throw out millions of dollars of stock. In the UK, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates that about 87 million pints of beer have been tossed as a result. Fortunately, the Read More...
Scientists use discarded citrus peels to create sustainable transparent wood
Turning a tree into glass may sound like magic, but creating transparent wood to replace the glass in your windows is something scientists have been working on for some years. This emergent wood-based glass substitute holds great potential as a more sustainable, durable, and thermally-efficient Read More...
Researchers recycle discarded face masks to make stronger road material
In addition to a global health crisis, the pandemic has also exacerbated our toxic relationship with plastic, with millions of single-use face masks and gloves ending up in the environment daily. There are some ways, however, we can mitigate this new form of pollution. Recently, we shared a Read More...
This sleek chair is made of recycled plastic from electronic waste
In 2019, the world generated 54 million metric tons of e-waste — a worrying number that’s expected to increase to 64 million metric tons by 2030. London-based designer Tom Robinson wants to help curb that amount by turning e-waste into sleek, minimalist furniture. The designer’s latest Read More...
This new delivery platform uses reusable containers to cut plastic waste
Food and packaging containers together account for almost 45 percent of landfill materials in the US. A large part of that waste comes from takeout orders, where single-use plastic packaging has been normalized. A new delivery service in New York City, called DeliverZero, wants to change that by Read More...
This refillable deodorant from Dove avoids single-use plastic packaging
As the plastic crisis becomes harder to avoid, big brands are under increasing pressure to shift their practices towards sustainability. One of the latest brands to do so is Dove. Looking to provide a better alternative to the single-use plastic deodorant stick, which ends up in a bin within Read More...
These lightweight drones are made from old pineapple leaves
Farmers in Malaysia often burn or throw away pineapple leaves after the fruit has been harvested for the season. Researchers from Putra University have found an ingenious new use for these leaves by repurposing them into a lightweight, sustainable drone. Led by Professor Mohamed Thariq Hameed Read More...