In Germany, pharmaceutical giant Bayer has issued a “packaging challenge” as it looks for more sustainable options for its plethora of products. The company has tapped yet2, an open innovation services provider, to help in its search for biodegradable, compostable, or dissolvable packaging solutions derived from sustainable sources for products packaged in sachets and/or rigid […]
In India, a leather alternative made from algae and food and fiber waste has won the runner-up James Dyson Award for India, having been narrowly squeezed out of the top spot by a reusable EpiPen. Dubbed Kudarat, the animal-free leather is waterproof, compostable, and antimicrobial. It was created by textile designer Divya Verma of the […]
In New Zealand, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash announced a partnership between the Government and Oji Fibre Solutions to carry out a feasibility study with the aim of boosting the development of sustainable wood products, hydrogen and bio-fuels at the Kinleith Mill near Tokoroa. “In order to build a low-emissions, high-wage economy, we need to explore […]
In Israel, UBQ Materials announced that PLANETech World 2022 will be the first global conference to incorporate its new material, UBQ, into temporary building structures. The global climate tech innovation community will gather in Tel Aviv on September 21, 2022, marking the first time a trade event will reduce the carbon footprint of its own […]
In California, VGrid Energy Systems announced that it has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label. The product, Persist Biochar, is now able to display a unique USDA label that highlights its percentage of biobased content. The USDA Certified Biobased Product label displays a product’s biobased content, which is the portion […]
In the United Kingdom, R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe is set to release a solo single that will be the world’s first widely available bioplastic vinyl. Called Future if Future, the song will be included on a limited run of 500 vinyl records manufactured by London’s Evolution Music. The single will also be available digitally, […]
In Arizona, tire major Bridgestone has announced it will invest another $42 million—on top of the over $100 million it has already spent—to commercialize natural rubber from the guayule desert shrub by 2030 and achieve 100% renewable tires by 2050. The funds will establish planting and harvesting guayule at scale. Bridgestone will also collaborate and […]
In Vancouver, a new company hopes to make your weekends and retirement a bit greener with biodegradable golf balls made from corn starch and PVA coating. Imaginatively named Biodegradable Golf Balls, the company says in a press statement that its balls dissolve within a couple of weeks—unlike the several hundred thousand golf balls that disappear […]
In Berlin, sustainable feminine hygiene firm Vyld has launched a crowdfunding campaign to scale production of tampons made of algae. According to Femtech Insider, 300 million people menstruate every day, and about 90% of period products are disposable, leading to massive amounts of pollution. Vyld’s tampons, dubbed Kelpon, do not require fertilizers, pesticides, or drinkable […]
In France, zero-waste fashion startup Zèta and coffee giant Nespresso have released a shoe collection using recycled coffee grounds. Called Re:Ground, the shoes came about after the CEO of Nespresso, Guillaume Le Cunff, came across Zèta on LinkedIn in January 2021, Laure Babin, founder of Zèta, tells Global Coffee Report. “He was intrigued by our […]
