In London, two graduates of Central Saint Martins art school have created building tiles from Japanese knotweed and American signal crayfish shells. Brigitte Kock and Irene Roca Moracia chose the two raw materials because they are among the most pernicious invasive species in the UK and their removal improves biodiversity. Japanese knotweed can grow into […]
In Uganda, a startup is converting banana waste into fibers that can be used in everyday items like carpets and hair extensions. Dubbed TexFad, the company manufactures biodegradable products from the bulky trunks of banana plants that are normally burnt or thrown away by farmers. “When I looked around I saw that bananas grow abundantly […]
In the United Kingdom, rumors are suggesting that funeral plans for Prince Phillip, who died on April 9, will honor the Queen consort’s ecological activism by using a biodegradable coffin made of wool. Produced by textile company A.W. Hainsworth, the “Natural Legacy” coffins consist of wool fitted around a cardboard frame reinforced with base board. […]
In Ravenna, Italy, Mario Cucinella Architects has used massive 3-D printers and dirt to create a house in what could be an inexpensive and sustainable solution for homelessness. The 645-square-foot domed domicile—dubbed Tecla for “TEChnology and CLay”—took over 200 hours to “print.” Firm founder Mario Cucinella tells Fast Company that replacing concrete with dirt greatly […]
In Wisconsin, Cultured Decadence hopes to replace succulent, but pricey, lobster meat with a lab-grown alternative. The efforts of cofounders John Pattison and Ian Johnson come as warming oceans, rising sea levels, and storm surges disrupt traditional lobster hubs such as Maine. “Increasing acidification and warming oceans have a detrimental impact on these animals and […]
In California, lab-grown meat startup Mission Barns is focusing on fat but hopes in the longer term to be the first to claim production of kosher bacon. “I grew up in Israel and a lot of my family won’t eat pork products, so it’s an area of particular interest for me,” Eitan Fischer, company CEO […]
In California, synthetic biology and renewable chemicals maker Amyris has partnered with acting powerhouse Reese Witherspoon to promote clean beauty products. Witherspoon, whose credits include Legally Blonde and Little Big Lies, will be the global brand ambassador for Amyris’s Biossance line of sustainable skincare products. “I have always been conscious of what’s being put on […]
In Switzerland, trendy watch maker Swatch is staying on point with fashion trends by introducing a five-piece collection of timepieces featuring bioceramics. The material mixes conventional ceramic with a bioplastic derived from castor oil and is used in the casing of its Big Bold watch, available in black, white, light grey, sky blue and powder […]
In Sweden, fast-fashion giant H&M has partnered with shoe maker Good News to more broadly market footwear incorporating banana fiber, grape leather, and recycled materials. The unisex collection includes seven trainers and one slider style featuring waterproof fiber Bananatex and grape waste leather Vegea. Other materials include recycled cotton and Bloom Algae EVA made from […]
In Singapore, a consortium of companies have founded Spydasilk Enterprises to develop and commercialize luxury streetwear made from spider silk. Spydasilk owners are spider silk producer Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., trading company Kings Golden Harvest Pte Ltd., and Kings Golden Harvest streetwear subsidiary M the Movement. “Based on our initial efforts, there is a definite […]
