In the United Kingdom, Peta U.K. and sustainable fashion brand Stella McCartney have sent Sophia Loren a biobased fur coat for her 86th birthday—with the hopes that the gift will push the actress and glamor icon to “choose compassion” and swear off animal-based fur fashion. The coat was made from KOBA, a biobased faux fur […]
In India, an English professor is working to address the populous country’s plastics waste crisis by turning waste coconut leaves into straws. Saji Varghese, of Christ University in Bengaluru, tells India Times the idea came to him in 2017 when he noticed the shape a fallen coconut leaf on campus took. “I picked it up […]
In Israel, food packaging startup W-Cycle has launched food packaging made from sugarcane waste. Dubbed SupraPulp, the material is compostable yet hardy enough to keep structural integrity when holding greasy, hot food. Targeted for frozen, ready-made meals, SupraPulp can be frozen to -40°C and heated in oven or microwave to 270°C. After use, it can […]
In New Jersey, a mattress manufacturer devoted to using natural materials is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Mark Tremlett and Peter Tindall founded Naturalmat in 2020 and have since grown the business to include mattresses, toppers, headboards, and bedding from renewable materials, including coconut husk and natural latex. The duo were inspired by their love […]
In the Netherlands, a Technical University of Delft researcher has taken the green funeral trend to the next level with a mycelium coffin. Dubbed Living Cocoon, Bob Hendrikx says the mycelium vessel helps compost the body and remove toxins from soil. Each coffin takes a week to grow, and two to three years to break […]
In Switzerland, sneaker brand On is poised to launch a subscription-only model for its fully recyclable Cyclon running shoes. Made from castor beans, the model ensures the sneakers go back to the company for processing. The shoes will become available starting in fall 2021 for $29.99 per month, and will not be available for purchase […]
In London, sustainable clothing brand Pangaia has launched zero-waste sneakers made from grapes and recycled rubber. The company used 6.5 billion liters of grape waste—including stalks, skin and seeds—from Italy’s wineries to generate the leather replacement. The shoes also feature a 100% recycled rubber sole, cotton laces with recycled plastic aglet, and biobased glue. Pangaia […]
In Vancouver, design publication Yanko Design celebrated World Bamboo Day by highlighting the material’s versatility with a list of the top bamboo products for eco-conscious consumers. According to the online magazine, bamboo’s tensile strength, flexibility, lightweight, cost-effectiveness, and durability make it ideal for countless applications. The list includes the Everloop Toothbrush that features bamboo bristles […]
In Germany, researchers at the Goethe University Frankfurt and PlastX have found that bioplastics contain toxic chemicals similar to those found in petrochemical plastics. The team investigated 43 biodegradable and biobased products, including wine corks, drinking bottles, chocolate packaging, and disposable tableware. Analysis showed that 80% of products contained over a thousand chemical substances. “Three-quarters […]
In Singapore, development of plant-based and cell-cultured food is accelerating as the COVID-19 pandemic draws into sharp relief both the impact of climate change and the small nation’s overreliance on food imports. Currently, approximately 90% of Singapore’s food has to be imported. The country aims to cut this to less than 30% by 2030. Local […]
