In Australia, Reef Design Lab is mixing concrete with oyster shells to create Erosion Mitigation Units that also provide marine life a habitat. Digital modeling analysis and traditional casting methods were used to form organic shapes with favorable habitat conditions. The oyster shells create a welcoming surface for shellfish, while tunnels in the EMUs encourage […]
In France, Arkema has lowered the carbon footprint of its entire biobased polyamide 11 production base by 46%, reaching less than 2 kg CO2e/kg. The improvement was achieved by using renewable or low carbon energy sources and making several energy efficiency improvements at its production sites. It represents an improvement of around 70% relative to […]
In Australia, a team at RMIT University hopes mixing coffee grounds with concrete will reduce the amount of sand mined for concrete production while simultaneously divert coffee waste from landfills. “Our research group was discussing shifting our focus to divert this waste from landfills and develop innovative solutions to transforming this waste into a valuable […]
In Emeryville, California, Bolt Threads has announced a definitive agreement for a business combination with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Golden Arrow Merger Corp. The deal would result in Bolt Threads becoming a public company with a pro forma enterprise valuation of $346.1 million. A proprietary polypeptide in Bolt Threads’ b-silk replaces silicone elastomers in […]
In Colorado, a funeral home offering trendy green burials—where bodies are interred in renewable materials and without embalming—is facing possible charges for improperly storing 115 bodies. Without traditional funeral services, bodies must be interred or stored in a refrigeration unit within 24 hours. Officials were alerted to potential violations by Return to Nature Funeral Home […]
In Connecticut, University of Connecticut student Amelia Martin has developed a surfboard concept using mycelium, the plant structure of mushrooms. The project was undertaken in the laundry room of her Vernon, Connecticut home. Martin was inspired both by her graduate level work studying how fungi acts as a plant pest and her connection to the […]
In Turkey, the Scays Group is converting tea waste into a leather alternative for the fashion industry. Cleverly named Wastea, the product looks and feels like leather and is as durable. It is also cruelty free, more eco-friendly, and water-, stain-, and fire-resistant. Different grades range from 45% and 95% biobased, depending on the polyurethane […]
In Norway, a startup aims to lower the carbon footprint of home furnishings by swapping out petrochemical-based foams with seaweed. Celine Sandberg, founder and CEO Agoprene, tells Wired that polyurethane foam rubber for furniture causes 105 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. “In the furniture industry, everyone knows that foam is bad for the […]
In Denmark, iconic toy block maker LEGO is halting a pilot program to produce its ubiquitous bricks from recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles. After two years of trials, LEGO determined that, at scale, converting its supply chain and equipment would actually lead to a larger carbon footprint. “It’s like trying to make a bike out of […]
In New York, a startup nurtured by UNICEF Lab Program has unveiled cardboard beds that can be assembled quickly for deployment to emergencies. Humanitaria’s beds are also tool-free and 100% recyclable and biodegradable. The company can produce 24,000 beds a day, and will begin testing with the Red Cross shortly. “Humanitaria provides two solutions to […]
