Tag Archives: eco-friendly

Top 5 eco-friendly designs to add a pinch of sustainability to your daily lives

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Our unhealthy practices and way of living are truly harmful to the environment and have been slowly leading to its deterioration. And the world has been changing (for the worse) because of this. Hence, it is extremely important to live sustainably and consciously and to take care of the environment in 2023! Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. And we can do this in various ways. Designers and creators are coming up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. Every product that is necessary and utilized by us in our everyday routine has an eco-friendly alternative to it. Replacing our usual mass-produced designs with these greener options will make a huge difference to the environment and Mother Earth. From a Saturn-inspired sustainable lamp to a bicycle seat made from cork– we’ve curated a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green.

1. 3D-printed Chairs

Designed by Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design, these 3D-printed chairs are produced using additive manufacturing and are created without using fabrics, springs, and foam! And they still manage to be super functional and comfortable. These chairs utilize rigid parts, instead of the typical racks from chairs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is simple enough with four legs, a round seat, and a single bar at the back. But if you want to add other components like more racks or even textiles, these can also be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly.

What we like

  • Super easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No instruction on having a space-saving version of this design

2. Wasteware Collection

Viennese designer Barbara Gollackner collaborated with Australian chef and restaurant owner Martin Kilga to create the ‘Wasteware’ collection, a range of tableware made using leftover food! The duo created a collection of bowls, plates, and cutlery using industrial and personal food waste.

Why is it noteworthy?

To bring the interesting tableware items to life, the studio utilized food waste such as pork skin, and old bread – from personal and industrial waste.  The waste collected was dried out or cooked and then blended into a smooth paste which was held together using mycelium. Water or breadcrumbs were added to the mix if needed.

What we like

  • Combats the issue of food wastage
  • Colorful and vibrant aesthetics. They will add a spark of life to your dinner table

What we dislike

  • Not sure how durable the products are, and what is their lifespan

3. SATURNO

Of all the planets in our neighborhood, Saturn has always mesmerized our minds with its beautiful rings, and it has probably served as the muse for many lamp designs. This somewhat spherical lamp, for example, borrows some ideas from the planet’s morphology to create something unique, fun, striking, and sustainable, all at the same time.

Why is it noteworthy?

The SATURNO lamp is actually made of three disc-shaped parts that connect without the use of any glue or screws. There are cutouts instead that allow the parts to be inserted into each other at perpendicular angles. Two are made from walnut wood, while the third is made from resin, which could be any sustainable kind.

What we like

  • SATURNO’s LEDs can be controlled to show different colors and different intensities
  • A versatile lighting fixture that gives a glimpse of the heavens right inside your home

What we dislike

  • The lamp won’t stand with its horizontal light mimicking the light scattered by Saturn’s rings unless it is provided with some support

4. Packioli

A Turkish designer was able to come up with soap packaging called Packioli that is both hygienic and non-plastic and therefore more eco-friendly. One thing missing from most similar products is convenience and she was able to add it to this as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

She used artichoke leaves and combined them with peapod bioplastics in order to create packaging that commercial soap brands can actually use if they really wanted to be more eco-conscious in creating their products.

What we like

  • It not only solves getting rid of plastic for soaps but also helps get rid of artichoke waste, which is around 80% of the actual vegetable

What we dislike

  • The look of the packaging is not similar to what we’re used to, with the labels and other colorful decorations, so may not be preferred by everyone

5. FR-1 Bike Saddle

This Scottish brand is one such company that wants to bring more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts that they manufacture. Their first product is called FR-1 Bike Saddle and it is made from cork

Why is it noteworthy?

At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.

What we like

  • Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
  • Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming

What we dislike

  • It is a bit expensive

The post Top 5 eco-friendly designs to add a pinch of sustainability to your daily lives first appeared on Yanko Design.

This bluetooth speaker gives a second life to plastic waste and old e-bike batteries

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You’d think that we would be able to solve the world’s plastic problem with the many products we’re seeing that re-use this material. But of course, compared to the amount of plastic that humans produce and consume, it’s still a pretty small percentage and so we still need to come up with more solutions. We’re seeing innovative concepts and products that are also well-designed. You’re getting the best of both worlds as you get something functional and pretty and you’re saving the world one plastic at a time.

Designer: Gomi

Collection One is a Bluetooth speaker that can be decorative, a source of good music, and is also environmentally friendly. Each speaker is made from plastic waste as well as e-bike batteries that are not being used anymore. In fact, each of these portable devices are made from 44 plastic bags that were returned to its raw form before being turned into materials for the speakers. The creators say they have been able to save six tonnes of plastic waste with this collection through the local recycling companies that they partnered with.

Each speaker has modular components so if one of the parts breaks down, you can still have it replaced if it can’t be fixed anymore. There are three designs available with each one having a distinct colorway and is inspired by specific artworks. They’re named Panther, Avalanche, and Ultraviolet. The aesthetics are a cross between “Dieter Rams and Picaso” so you get some abstract and colorful designs to go along with the music or ebooks or podcasts that you’ll be streaming through these devices. Each one is handmade so you know you’re getting something special.

As for the sound quality, Collection One is from a design company but hopefully they will be able to create something that will give you great audio as it comes with a full range neodymium driver. They promise to bring software updates to the connectivity aspect of it and will also offer repairs, trade-ins, and other upgrading facilities later on. The speakers are priced at £299 (US$365) and will be available in 7-10 business days after you place your order (well, if you’re in the U.K)

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McDonald’s France teams up with Elium Studio to create a range of reusable tableware to reduce waste

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Packaging is a major component of the food industry, and the fact that hundreds of millions of container boxes, cups, trays, cutlery, and cans are being discarded away, creating ginormous amounts of waste, and hurting the environment is an alarming concern. Single-use packaging is lethal to the environment, and it’s a sad reality that most fast-food chains serve their food in single-use containers and cups. And, McDonald’s is no exception to this! However, McDonald’s France has decided to take a step in the right direction, which is the more eco-friendly and sustainable route. Let’s find out more.

Designer: Elium Studio

The French global design studio Elium Studio collaborated with McDonald’s France to create reusable tableware that can be utilized in the iconic fast-food chain’s restaurants. Most of the containers used by McDonald’s today cannot be reused, whether they’re plates or cups, they need to be thrown away after a single use. France, as a country, has been taking holistic steps to reduce waste. For example, in January 2023, France announced that restaurants with more than 20 seats need to offer their customers reusable and washable serving container alternatives. So, this step by McDonald’s France is truly a move of solidarity in the right direction.

Elium Studio designed a range of rather colorful and cute tableware that will be made using ‘Tritan’. Now, what is Tritan? Tritan is a plastic resin that is similar to glass and ceramic in its hardness and transparency and preserves the organoleptic qualities of food, which basically means it successfully retains the taste and smell of the food. The tableware was integrated with vents, graining, and striations to impart it with improved functionality and elevate the customer’s dining experience. Elium Studio and McDonald’s France have been working on this project for the past two years, and the result is truly commendable.

The tableware products retain McDonald’s original essence and design philosophy. The container for the french fries is still the iconic red we are so accustomed to, however, it is a much more eco-friendly option, as compared to its predecessor. I do believe this initiative by McDonald’s France could encourage other fast-food chains to make greener and more sustainable choices.

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Top 10 sustainable furniture designs to transform your home into an eco-friendly one

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2020 was a life-altering and drastic year, and 2023 is the year we get to redeem all our careless mistakes of the past and start living more consciously and sustainably. We cannot ignore the needs of our planet anymore, we need to take the environment into consideration, and what better way to start doing that than from our own homes? Sustainable furniture is taking the design industry by storm, they’re a step towards making our homes and our daily lives more eco-friendly and sustainable. They’re an attempt to cast aside toxic materials, and instead, add furniture designs to our home that won’t rot away on Earth for years once we’re done with them. We’ve curated a collection of furniture products created from cork, bamboo, and rattan! The options are endless, and the end result is the same – a greener, healthier, and happier Mother Earth!

1. 3D-printed Seats

Designed by Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design, these 3D-printed chairs are produced using additive manufacturing and are created without using fabrics, springs, and foam! And they still manage to be super functional and comfortable. These chairs utilize rigid parts, instead of the typical racks from chairs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is simple enough with four legs, a round seat, and a single bar at the back. But if you want to add other components like more racks or textiles, these can be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly.

What we like

  • Super easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No instruction on having a space-saving version of this design

2. The 4PM Chaise Longue Chair

Comprised of flat and curved features, the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is designed to create comfort out of hard material. Constructed in either Douglas fir or cherry wood, the only upholstered component of the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is the leather headrest. Balanced on top of the backrest, Massproductions held the headrest in place with a steel weight.

Why is it noteworthy?

Massproductions is a slow furniture company, don’t let the name fool you. Since the furniture company only develops a few pieces every year, the ones that go into production guarantee a top-quality build and durable life span. Boasting an efficient, sustainable, and high-quality industrial production process, the company’s designers ensure the integrity of Massproductions’s vision. The company’s founder, Chris Martin, developed the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair to reinforce the company’s commitment to quality and produce an ergonomic, long-lasting chair for much-needed R&R.

What we like

  • Sustainable production and design process
  • Ergonomically designed

What we dislike

  • It doesn’t seem very comfortable to sit on
  • Space consuming

3. Vis-à-vis and Rendez-vous

I’ve realized that filling up your bathroom with thoughtful designs, only makes your time in it much more comfortable and smooth. And this collection of bathroom seating by Italian bathroom brand Agape strives to be exactly that! Designed by Marco Carini for Agape, the collection includes two seating designs created from recycled cork.

Why is it noteworthy?

The first design is called Vis-à-vis, and it is a light and sturdy stool that also doubles up as a tiny side table. The second design is Rendez-vous, and it’s a bench that serves as an extensive seating option for bathroom users. Both designs function as comfortable spots to sit and relax in the bathroom.

What we like

  • Crafted from recycled cork
  • The curving form resembles someone smiling

What we dislike

  • Not suited for bathrooms with a smaller footprint

4. The Chatpod 700

There are quite a few versatile options on the market when it comes to office booths, but have you come across the most sustainable one yet? Yup, called the Chatpod 700, this sleek and minimal office booth claims to be “the most sustainable office booth on the market”.

Why is it noteworthy?

Made entirely from recycled materials such as post-consumer cardboard, sawdust, rubber, and plastic bottle, the Chatpod 700 is quite proud of its sustainable composition, and with reason. Designed by Jeffrey Ibañez for Impact Acoustic, the office booth was ideally created for team meetings.

What we like

  • Built using recycled materials
  • Great space to hold casual informal meetings

What we dislike

  • Large space-consuming design

5. Listón

Listón is a modular shelving unit that uses a system of cable ties and wooden slats to form an endlessly re-configurable and sustainable furniture piece. The cable tie system allows users to create infinite configurations of varying sizes and shapes for essentialist shelving units that will look good in any room. Replacing hardware and tools, the cable ties systems provide secure fastening for each module that comes with Listón.

Why is it noteworthy?

With this in mind, many designers are approaching new furniture and appliance designs with sustainability being the driving force. Adding his design to the mix, architect, and designer Guille Cameron Mac Lean developed Listón, a new type of furniture system that uses cable ties and wooden slats to configure modular storage units.

What we like

  • The system of cable ties and wooden slats significantly reduces the amount of packing goods needed to ship the furniture system by 18 times in comparison to other flatpack furniture

What we dislike

  • The wooden slats and cable ties could break
  • Not the most aesthetic furniture design to add to your living space

6. The Plastic Translation Stool

The Plastic Translation Stool design tries to reinterpret the lines of the plastic stool instead, resulting in a form that is somewhat similar yet also unique, giving the wooden stool its own character.

Why is it noteworthy?

Those legs alone, however, won’t be enough to offer the same stability as the plastic counterpart, so an additional element had to be added. Birch plywood buttresses distribute some of the force evenly across the beechwood legs, which, in turn, hold the buttresses together. These interlocking parts provide not only architectural stability but also visual accents to what would otherwise be a plain-looking stool.

What we like

  • Doesn’t require screws or nails to be assembled
  • A more sustainable option to the plastic stool

What we dislike

  • Options to customize the stool are currently missing

7. Stackabl

More than just a collection of designer furniture in the form of chairs, lounges, and benches, Stackabl is actually a new system that mixes machine precision with human creativity. In a nutshell, a specialized configurator software analyzes choices made by a user or a designer, like colors or dimensions, and selects high-quality felt offcuts that are then cut by robots for use in making furniture.

Why is it noteworthy?

The demand for clothing and furniture upholstery has probably gone up in the past few years, as more people become more attuned to well-designed products. That means more materials are used for production, which unfortunately also means more scraps are left on the cutting room floor, quite literally. While some of these materials are biodegradable or at least recyclable, one design firm is putting them to good use to create furniture that not only looks comfortable but artistically striking as well.

What we like

  • Reduces carbon footprint while also enriching and empowering local economies

What we dislike

  • May not suit modern contemporary homes

8. The TAKEoSEAT

Folding stools are nothing new, but few actually try to hide the fact that people are carrying something meant to be sat on. In contrast, the TAKEoSEAT flattens down to something that looks like a large portfolio, or at least a stylish bag made of felt. You won’t look odd carrying it around, nor would the seat look out of place in an office space. Designer KRETHO positions this portable stool as a perfect part of an agile arsenal, allowing people to just pick up their seats and move around as needed. No more rearranging furniture or sweating over a heavy chair.

Why is noteworthy?

This folding design is admittedly not exactly novel, but what TAKEoSEAT adds to the table is a bit of environmental focus. Each stool is made from PET felt, which is felt comes from those plastic bottles that we use and throw away without giving a second thought about where they end up. PET bottles undergo a special process (that does, unfortunately, use up water and energy) that results in a material that feels familiar to the touch while also strong enough to support a load of 130 kg. Plus, the TAKEoSEAT itself is recyclable, too!

What we like

  • Created from PET felt
  • Extremely portable

What we dislike

  • Folding designs are quite common these days

9. The Stair Cubby

The Stair Cubby, as it was christened, can be assembled without the use of tools, with tabs simply going into slots and held down with pegs. The cubby is designed to sit on two steps of stairs, but the panel on the back can slide up and down to adjust to different stair heights. The storage has five open-access cubbies for shoes, books, and any other item that can fit inside, keeping things organized and out of harm’s way.

Why is it noteworthy?

Staircase bins need to take into account the particular shape of stairs, but not all stairs are made equal, so they have to be a bit more flexible or at least configurable. Given how in-demand these storage solutions might be, they also need to be durable and sustainable. These two product design students from Nottingham Trent University in the UK hit both birds with one sheet of plywood.

What we like

  • Can be assembled without the use of tools
  • Great for homes with space constraints

What we dislike

  • We’re not sure how well it would hold heavier objects

10. Rattan Stool

First impressions really quickly – did you think this was a whisk or folded spaghetti? I thought spaghetti but maybe I am just hungry. This rattan stool stood out to me because of its visually curiosity-evoking design. Is it comfortable? Probably. Is it cool? Absolutely.

Why is it noteworthy?

This stool explores the malleability of rattan as a material in furniture design, we are so used to seeing it in a checkered woven form that the noodle-like seating of this piece becomes a testament to how we can use often overlooked materials unconventionally to push boundaries. As the world moves towards a sustainable future, so must design.

What we like

  • Innovative use of Rattan
  • Quirky spaghetti-inspired aesthetics

What we dislike

  • It may not be comfortable to sit on for long periods of time

The post Top 10 sustainable furniture designs to transform your home into an eco-friendly one first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 eco-friendly designs to incorporate sustainability in your everyday lives

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Our unhealthy practices and way of living are truly harmful to the environment and have been slowly leading to its deterioration. And the world has been changing (for the worse) because of this. Hence, it is extremely important to live sustainably and consciously and to take care of the environment in 2023! Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. And we can do this in various ways. Designers and creators are coming up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. Every product that is necessary and utilized by us in our everyday routine has an eco-friendly alternative to it. Replacing our usual mass-produced designs with these greener options will make a huge difference to the environment and Mother Earth. From a Saturn-inspired sustainable lamp to a bicycle seat made from cork– we’ve curated a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green.

1. 3D-printed Seats

Designed by Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design, these 3D-printed chairs are produced using additive manufacturing and are created without using fabrics, springs, and foam! And they still manage to be super functional and comfortable. These chairs utilize rigid parts, instead of the typical racks from chairs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is simple enough with four legs, a round seat, and a single bar at the back. But if you want to add other components like more racks or even textiles, these can also be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly.

What we like

  • Super easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No instruction on having a space-saving version of this design

2. Vis-à-vis and Rendez-vous

I’ve realized that filling up your bathroom with thoughtful designs, only makes your time in it much more comfortable and smooth. And this collection of bathroom seating by Italian bathroom brand Agape strives to be exactly that! Designed by Marco Carini for Agape, the collection includes two seating designs created from recycled cork.

Why is it noteworthy?

The first design is called Vis-à-vis, and it is a light and sturdy stool that also doubles up as a tiny side table. The second design is Rendez-vous, and it’s a bench that serves as an extensive seating option for bathroom users. Both designs function as comfortable spots to sit and relax in the bathroom.

What we like

  • Crafted from recycled cork
  • The curving form resembles someone smiling

What we dislike

  • Not suited for bathrooms with a smaller footprint

3. The SATURNO Lamp

Of all the planets in our neighborhood, Saturn has always mesmerized our minds with its beautiful rings, and it has probably served as the muse for many lamp designs. This somewhat spherical lamp, for example, borrows some ideas from the planet’s morphology to create something unique, fun, striking, and sustainable, all at the same time.

Why is it noteworthy?

The SATURNO lamp is actually made of three disc-shaped parts that connect without the use of any glue or screws. There are cutouts instead that allow the parts to be inserted into each other at perpendicular angles. Two are made from walnut wood, while the third is made from resin, which could be any sustainable kind.

What we like

  • SATURNO’s LEDs can be controlled to show different colors and different intensities
  • A versatile lighting fixture that gives a glimpse of the heavens right inside your home

What we dislike

  • The lamp won’t stand with its horizontal light mimicking the light scattered by Saturn’s rings unless it is provided with some support

4. Plantd

Based in North Carolina, the firm Plantd Materials has produced a new material ‘Plantd’. Built using processed perennial grass, the material is said to be lighter and stronger as compared to traditional timber boards, but will capture more carbon.

Why is it noteworthy?

The firm says that the material is a “blend of fast-growing perennial grasses”, that they hope will be used as an alternative to traditional oriented strand board (OBS). OBS is a material similar to plywood that is used to sheath floors and walls.

What we like

  • An eco-friendly alternative to OBS
  • Stronger and lighter than timber

What we dislike

  • The production of the material hasn’t started yet

5. The Kreis Cup

Meet the Kreis Cup, a coffee cup that’s sustainable, durable, and designed to enhance your coffee-drinking experience! Available in cup and travel-mug styles, the Kreis Cup is a reusable cup made from used coffee grounds and plant-based materials, free of petroleum-based plastics.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is heat resistant and designed to keep your coffee hot longer. That being said, the Kreis Cup is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you get at your local cafe or the breakable ceramic mugs you use at home. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, the Kreis Cup disintegrates easily into the soil, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

What we like

  • Made from spent coffee grounds that have been dried, treated, and then suspended in a natural, plant-based polymer
  • Has the faint, unmistakable scent of coffee

What we dislike

  • You can’t use the Kreis to drink tea, juice, or anything else, given the lingering smell of coffee that comes from these cups

6. USB-C AirPods Pro

Ken Pillonel, the engineer and YouTuber behind the world’s first USB-C iPhone and AirPods, just revealed upgrades for the AirPods Pro. His custom build features a new 3D printed case that can be opened and repaired (thanks to screws on the back), along with a USB-C connector on the base instead of the conventional Lightning port. Pillonel’s build isn’t just a one-off custom project, though. He’s made his project open-source and available to the public, allowing pretty much anyone to upgrade their own AirPods Pro

Why is it noteworthy?

With this project, Pillonel’s taking matters into his own hands by actually selling the charging module on his website for people to buy. You can even find schematics for 3D printing your own AirPods case, on the off-chance that you happen to break yours while prying it open.

What we like

It’s  easy to open if you ever need to replace the battery on the inside

What we dislike

  • You will have to 3D-print your own module which could be inconvenient for some

7. Rootfull

At the 2022 London Design Festival, Zena Holloway presented an intriguing collection of sculptures, products, and wearables grown completely from grass root! Called, ‘Rootfull’, the collection was presented at the inaugural edition of the ‘Materials Matter’ design fair.

Why is it noteworthy?

The collection includes a dress with a collar piece, other coral-inspired sculptural pieces, substantial wall hangings, and root-grown lamps with interesting coral textures. Holloway’s collection explores the possibilities and scope of root-grown textiles, and how they can be widely utilized in the future.

What we like

  • Creation of a new kind of sustainable material

What we dislike

  • The root-grown textiles may not be very comfy to wear

8. The Bamboo Washing Machine

It doesn’t need extra water cycles, and it runs entirely without electricity. Meet the Bamboo Washing Machine, a cleverly low-tech appliance that washes your clothes efficiently with zero wastage and emissions.

Why is it noteworthy?

A winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award, the machine is made entirely from bamboo wood, and plugs right into a shallow riverbed, using river currents to turn the machine’s drum. The water flowing through the machine helps wash the dirt off the clothes too, giving you an entirely automated device that runs entirely on its own, using the powers of nature and human ingenuity!

What we like

  • Has zero wastage and emissions
  • Runs completely on its own

What we dislike

  • It’s a concept!

9. FR-1 Bike Saddle

This Scottish brand is one such company that wants to bring more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts that they manufacture. Their first product is called FR-1 Bike Saddle and it is made from cork

Why is it noteworthy?

At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.

What we like

  • Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
  • Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming

What we dislike

  • It is a bit expensive

10. Zens

As a step up from the trio of charging options, Zens – a reckoned manufacturer of wireless chargers empowering freedom – has come up with a 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger. Designed to power an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch in one go, the wireless charger is a sustainable and quick charging solution.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since an organized desk is a dream for every systematized worker, this Zens charger can go a long way in ensuring that. The idea of having all the prized Apple devices charging in one go, in one location, is not short of the peace of mind. Additionally, it leaves the desk or the nightstand organized. What more do you want? Before you go ahead and reply to that with a “Nothing”; the Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger, with its fancy antics, comes for a $180 price tag (more on the alternative pricing options later).

What we like

  • This modular charger is a convenient solution for a quick and fast charge to all your Apple devices

What we dislike

  • Exorbitant price tag

The post Top 10 eco-friendly designs to incorporate sustainability in your everyday lives first appeared on Yanko Design.

The first wooden t-shirt by Vollebak is painted with the cleanest black ink derived from wood waste

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For almost everyone I know, a black shirt or blouse is a wardrobe staple, no matter what your fashion sensibilities may be. In fact, for some, black is probably the only color that they prefer. But according to a research from the World Health Organization, most of the black pigments used may be carcinogenic since they come from the process of burning petroleum. There are some enterprising and eco-friendly creators out there who really love black and have created something a little more earth-friendly and safe.

Designer: Vollebak

This British clothing brand have come up with a simple black t-shirt that is not only made from wood but even the color used is also made from wood. The aptly named Wooden T-Shirt is the latest in their earth-friendly line of black shirts. Previously, they created the Black Algae Dyed T Shirt which was able to absorb CO2 and the Off Grid shirt which was made from nettle stalks and red turnips. This time around, the black shirt is made from wood pulp and seaweed and dyed with wood waste.

The material used for the shirt is partly drawn from pulped eucalyptus (75% Lyocell) and also from seaweed from the Icelandic fjords (19% SeaCell). It also has a bit of Roica V550 biodegradable fiber so the cloth can stretch a bit. The bio-ink that makes it black is created from wood waste from various materials like lumber, paper, and even flooring sectors. Because of this wood ink, the shirt will be able to absorb CO2 as well for the next 100 years, long after you’ve passed from this earth.

As for the design, there isn’t much innovation there as it is just a plain, black t-shirt. Most people who wear shirts like this don’t really care much about other design innovations though and what makes this Wooden T-Shirt different isn’t how it looks like but how it was created. The retail price for earth-friendly black staple wear is $125. There are various sizes available, from XS to XXL. It would be interesting to see what other eco-friendly shirts Vollebak will come up in the future.

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Samsung’s Eco-Friends accessory line is made from post consumer material

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With the number of gadgets and devices being released every year by various brands, the electronics industry is one of the most notorious pollutants. Over the past years, there are brands that have become more conscious about the way they produce their devices and making sure their whole supply chain is more friendly to the environment. Samsung is one such brand that has been trying to create eco-friendly products, from their devices to their accessories.

Designer: Samsung and Slash B Slash

Samsung has partnered with a South Korean accessory maker to create the Eco-Friends collection. This was produced through the Samsung Mobile Accessories Partnership Program. As its name says, the accessory line is more friendly to the environment than the usual plastic materials that other accessories in the market are made from. These items are for the protection of the new Samsung devices like the Galaxy S23 line, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, and the Galaxy Watch 5. The collection includes phone covers, watch straps, and earbud cases.

What makes these accessories more eco-friendly than others is that it’s made from 40% Post Consumer Material (PCM). These materials include recycled plastic and vegan leather. To make it more fun for users, the designs include popular characters and scenes from fan favorite pop culture properties like Star Wars, The Simpsons, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, and Spongebob. There will also be some designs by young artists in case you prefer something less pop culture.

This project is actually planned by the Samsung Electronics Future Generation Lab which is made up of employees in their 20s from various global offices. If you’re in Seoul, you can drop by the pop-up store featuring the Eco-Friends accessory line in Yeouido. Hopefully, these accessories will eventually become available in Samsung global stores. Samsung is also working on making their smartphones and other gadgets more eco-friendly by using some recycled materials.

The post Samsung’s Eco-Friends accessory line is made from post consumer material first appeared on Yanko Design.

This minimalist and environmentally-friendly helmet is made from waste scallop shells

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Helmets are an essential in a variety of situations and professions – if you’re riding a bike, or working in construction. You see them quite commonly worn almost everywhere, but have you ever seen a ‘Shellmet’? Me neither. Well, designed by TBWAHakuhodo’s creative team and Osaka-based Koushi Chemical Industry Co, the Shellmet is a helmet created from waste scallop shells!

Designer: TBWAHakuhodo’s creative team and Koushi Chemical Industry Co

A tiny village located at the tip of Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido manages to create an annual pile of 40,000 tons of discarded scallop shells all thanks to its seafood industry. In an attempt to tackle this issue, they decided to clean, pulverize and mix the discarded shells with recycled plastic, to create a new material – Shellstic.

A portmanteau of shells and plastic, Shellstic is an environmentally-friendly material that can be utilized just the way normal plastic is! This is a great solution to the immense amount of shell waste since shells can cause soil contamination if left on the ground, which is a legitimate cause of concern for the village and its residents. Not only does transforming shells into plastic reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but it also makes the final material stronger and more resilient. And Shellmet is the first product to be created using the innovative material Shellstic! “We aimed to create a sustainable product with minimal burden on the environment,” said Shintaro Monden, the designer of the product.

The hardhat helmet borrows the ribbed structure of scallop shells, which in turn adds 30 percent more strength to the helmet, as compared to regular helmets with their typical flat design. Besides being minimal and sturdy, Shellmet comes in a variety of five fun colors – Coral White, Sand Cream, Ocean Blue, Deep Black, and Sunset Pink (all inspired by the sea). The helmet will be available for sale to the public in March 2023. The designers also hope that they can convince the 250 fishermen in the village to ditch their regular plastic helmets, and adopt Shellmet instead! They also intend to encourage Shellmet to be utilized for emergencies such as earthquakes and dangerous weather.

The post This minimalist and environmentally-friendly helmet is made from waste scallop shells first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 sustainable designs to help you go green in 2023

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Our unhealthy practices and way of living are truly harmful to the environment and have been slowly leading to its deterioration. And the world has been changing (for the worse) because of this. Hence, it is extremely important to live sustainably and consciously and to take care of the environment in 2023! Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. And we can do this in various ways. Designers and creators are coming up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. Every product that is necessary and utilized by us in our everyday routine has an eco-friendly alternative to it. Replacing our usual mass-produced designs with these greener options will make a huge difference to the environment and Mother Earth. From a sustainable and modular coffee machine to a bicycle seat made from cork– we’ve curated a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green in 2023!

1. The Kreis Cup

Meet the Kreis Cup, a coffee cup that’s sustainable, durable, and designed to enhance your coffee-drinking experience! Available in a cup and travel-mug styles, the Kreis Cup is a reusable cup made from used coffee grounds and plant-based materials, free of petroleum-based plastics.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is heat resistant and designed to keep your coffee hot longer. That being said, the Kreis Cup is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you get at your local cafe or the breakable ceramic mugs you use at home. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, the Kreis Cup disintegrates easily into the soil, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

What we like

  • Made from spent coffee grounds that have been dried, treated, and then suspended in a natural, plant-based polymer
  • Has the faint, unmistakable scent of coffee

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

2. Rootfull

At the 2022 London Design Festival, Zena Holloway presented an intriguing collection of sculptures, products, and wearables grown completely from grass root! Called, ‘Rootfull’, the collection was presented at the inaugural edition of the ‘Materials Matter’ design fair.

Why is it noteworthy?

The collection includes a dress with a collar piece, other coral-inspired sculptural pieces, substantial wall hangings, and root-grown lamps with interesting coral textures. Holloway’s collection explores the possibilities and scope of root-grown textiles, and how they can be widely utilized in the future.

What we like

  • Creation of a new kind of sustainable material

What we dislike

  • The root-grown textiles may not be very comfy to wear

3. Karen Ultralight Electric Violin

While the name Karen Ultralight Electric Violin may not be the best moniker for this instrument, it’s definitely the kind you won’t be able to ignore. Envisioned by Anima Design for Katahashi Instruments the Karen Ultralight is a dynamic electric violin that ditches conventional wooden acoustic chambers for something more eye-catching.

Why is it noteworthy?

The violin comes with a relatively hollow body made through generative design, which still provides strength with minimal use of material. The 3D-printed generative frame sits on a carbon fiber body, with a birchwood fingerboard for an elevated yet familiar playing experience. Working just like an electric guitar, the Karen Ultralight has a 1/4-inch jack output, but even sports an internal 9V battery and a headphone jack so you can ‘silently’ play music directly into your headphones without disturbing the neighbors!

What we like

  • Uses a popular design technique called generative design
  • A slot on the back lets you put in a 9V battery and plug your own headphones into the Karen, giving you the ability to play silently, right into your ear

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. Bamboo Washing Machine

It doesn’t need extra water cycles, and it runs entirely without electricity. Meet the Bamboo Washing Machine, a cleverly low-tech appliance that washes your clothes efficiently with zero wastage and emissions.

Why is it noteworthy?

A winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award, the machine is made entirely from bamboo wood, and plugs right into a shallow riverbed, using river currents to turn the machine’s drum. The water flowing through the machine helps wash the dirt off the clothes too, giving you an entirely automated device that runs entirely on its own, using the powers of nature and human ingenuity!

What we like

  • Has zero wastage and emissions
  • Runs completely on its own

What we dislike

  • It’s a concept!

5. Kara

Coffee machines might not be the most common consumer electronics in homes, but their widespread use and the way they operate make them ideal for a thought experiment. Kara is the result of one such process, resulting in a modular coffee machine that’s meant to last forever, even when the manufacturer has stopped producing replacement parts.

Why is it noteworthy?

The secret is that these parts can be 3D printed if access to the original is no longer possible. The more technical components can be replaced or substituted with other electronics, presuming those are still in production.

What we like

  • Unlike most designs that promote repairability, Kara doesn’t require advanced knowledge or skills to make that possible
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

6. Oakwood MagSafe Collection

This Oakywood MagSafe collection utilizes the Apple MagSafe chargers to provide the actual charging function of these beautifully designed products. What they offer, instead, are solid and multi-functional bases that not only keep your iPhone or Apple Watch in place but also add some life to your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

With a mix of wood and matte aluminum materials, these stands and mounts look handsome on any motif you might have going for your desk, providing eye-catching ornaments without being distracting.

What we like

  • The MagSafe charger they hold can be removed and used as normal
  • Prevents more e-waste in the long run

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. FR-1 Bike Saddle

This Scottish brand is one such company that wants to bring more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts that they manufacture. Their first product is called FR-1 Bike Saddle and it is made from cork

Why is it noteworthy?

At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.

What we like

  • Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
  • Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming

What we dislike

  • It is a bit expensive

8. B-Wise

Unveiled this year at the Dutch Design Week, ‘B-Wise’ is a uniquely grungy-looking lampshade that’s actually made from mycelium – the vegetative part of a mushroom or fungus that often grows underneath the surface while we just notice the mushroom caps that make their way through the ground or tree bark.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pendant lamp, which measures an impressive 60cm wide, comes with a grungy appearance that is unique to each lamp. To make each lamp, the designers at Myceen take an empty mold and fill it with mycelium along with waste organic material from the timber and agricultural industry including sawdust and straw for the mycelium to feed on. In a matter of just 5 weeks, the mycelium grows into the shape of the mold and is then de-molded and dehydrated to prevent any further growth.

What we like

  • Unique grungy appearance

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

9. Zens

As a step up from the trio of charging options, Zens – a reckoned manufacturer of wireless chargers empowering freedom – has come up with a 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger. Designed to power an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch in one go, the wireless charger is a sustainable and quick charging solution.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since an organized desk is a dream for every systematized worker, this Zens charger can go a long way in ensuring that. The idea of having all the prized Apple devices charging in one go, in one location, is not short of peace of mind. Additionally, it leaves the desk or the nightstand organized. What more do you want? Before you go ahead and reply to that with a “Nothing”; the Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger, with its fancy antics, comes for a $180 price tag (more on the alternative pricing options later).

What we like

  • This modular charger is a convenient solution for a quick and fast charge to all your Apple devices

What we dislike

  • Exorbitant price tag

10. The Plastic Translation Stool

The Plastic Translation Stool design tries to reinterpret the lines of the plastic stool instead, resulting in a form that is somewhat similar yet also unique, giving the wooden stool its own character.

Why is it noteworthy?

Those legs alone, however, won’t be enough to offer the same stability as the plastic counterpart, so an additional element had to be added. Birch plywood buttresses distribute some of the force evenly across the beechwood legs, which, in turn, hold the buttresses together. These interlocking parts provide not only architectural stability but also visual accents to what would otherwise be a plain-looking stool.

What we like

  • Doesn’t require screws or nails to be assembled
  • A more sustainable option to the plastic stool

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

The post Top 10 sustainable designs to help you go green in 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 sustainable designs for the inner environmentalist in you

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Our unhealthy practices and way of living are truly harmful to the environment and have been slowly leading to its deterioration. And the world has been changing (for the worse) because of this. Hence, it is extremely important to live sustainably and consciously and to take care of the environment. Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. And we can do this in various ways. Designers and creators are coming up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. Every product that is necessary and utilized by us in our everyday routine has an eco-friendly alternative to it. Replacing our usual mass-produced designs with these greener options will make a huge difference to the environment and Mother Earth. From a sustainable and modular coffee machine to a bicycle seat made from cork– we’ve curated a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green!

1. The Kreis Cup

Meet the Kreis Cup, a coffee cup that’s sustainable, durable, and designed to enhance your coffee-drinking experience! Available in a cup and travel-mug styles, the Kreis Cup is a reusable cup made from used coffee grounds and plant-based materials, free of petroleum-based plastics.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is heat resistant and designed to keep your coffee hot longer. That being said, the Kreis Cup is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you get at your local cafe or the breakable ceramic mugs you use at home. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, the Kreis Cup disintegrates easily into the soil, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

What we like

  • Made from spent coffee grounds that have been dried, treated, and then suspended in a natural, plant-based polymer
  • Has the faint, unmistakable scent of coffee

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

2. Kara

Coffee machines might not be the most common consumer electronics in homes, but their widespread use and the way they operate make them ideal for a thought experiment. Kara is the result of one such process, resulting in a modular coffee machine that’s meant to last forever, even when the manufacturer has stopped producing replacement parts.

Why is it noteworthy?

The secret is that these parts can be 3D printed if access to the original is no longer possible. The more technical components can be replaced or substituted with other electronics, presuming those are still in production.

What we like

  • Unlike most designs that promote repairability, Kara doesn’t require advanced knowledge or skills to make that possible
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. Zens

As a step up from the trio of charging options, Zens – a reckoned manufacturer of wireless chargers empowering freedom – has come up with a 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger. Designed to power and iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch in one go, the wireless charger is a sustainable and quick charging solution.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since an organized desk is a dream for every systematized worker, this Zens charger can go a long way in ensuring that. The idea of having all the prized Apple devices charging in one go, in one location, is not short of the peace of mind. Additionally, it leaves the desk or the nightstand organized. What more do you want? Before you go ahead and reply to that with a “Nothing”; the Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger, with its fancy antics, comes for a $180 price tag (more on the alternative pricing options later).

What we like

  • This modular charger is a convenient solution for a quick and fast charge to all your Apple devices

What we dislike

  • Exorbitant price tag

4. FR-1 Bike Saddle

This Scottish brand is one such company that wants to bring more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts that they manufacture. Their first product is called FR-1 Bike Saddle and it is made from cork

Why is it noteworthy?

At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.

What we like

  • Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
  • Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming

What we dislike

  • It is a bit expensive

5. B-Wise

Unveiled this year at the Dutch Design Week, ‘B-Wise’ is a uniquely grungy-looking lampshade that’s actually made from mycelium – the vegetative part of a mushroom or fungus that often grows underneath the surface while we just notice the mushroom caps that make their way through the ground or tree bark.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pendant lamp, which measures an impressive 60cm wide, comes with a grungy appearance that is unique to each lamp. To make each lamp, the designers at Myceen take an empty mold and fill it with mycelium along with waste organic material from the timber and agricultural industry including sawdust and straw for the mycelium to feed on. In a matter of just 5 weeks, the mycelium grows into the shape of the mold and is then de-molded and dehydrated to prevent any further growth.

What we like

  • Unique grungy appearance

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

6. The Plastic Translation Stool

The Plastic Translation Stool design tries to reinterpret the lines of the plastic stool instead, resulting in a form that is somewhat similar yet also unique, giving the wooden stool its own character.

Why is it noteworthy?

Those legs alone, however, won’t be enough to offer the same stability as the plastic counterpart, so an additional element had to be added. Birch plywood buttresses distribute some of the force evenly across the beechwood legs, which, in turn, hold the buttresses together. These interlocking parts provide not only architectural stability but also visual accents to what would otherwise be a plain-looking stool.

What we like

  • Doesn’t require screws or nails to be assembled
  • A more sustainable option to the plastic stool

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. Svolta

This wooden shelf is so simple through and through to the point that you might even wonder how it is able to hold its parts together. Fortunately, it does work as advertised, creating a flat-packed piece of furniture that is sustainable at every point, from its creation to its transportation and even to its assembly.

Why is it noteworthy?

Inspired by the simplicity of alpine joinery and architecture, this wooden shelf throws out all those conventions to arrive at a connection system that is genius in its simplicity. There are no extra parts or materials that join the shelves and the legs together other than the shelves and legs themselves

What we like

  • Uses pieces of wood that have special cutouts that fit into each other tightly
  • Can supposedly be assembled by a single person in just two minutes

What we dislike

  • There isn’t any kind of adhesive to give you confidence that the shelf won’t just fall apart once you put something heavy

8. Kudarat

Meet Kudarat, a leather alternative synthesized using algae, food & fiber waste. Created by Divya Verma of the National Institute of Design in India, Kudarat bases itself on the concepts of circularity & sustainability, targeting SDGs (sustainable development goals).

Why is it noteworthy?

Kudarat leather resembles animal leather but is cruelty-free, waterproof, compostable, antimicrobial, and possesses good tensile strength, making it perfect for practical applications. It secured the National Runner-Up position at this year’s James Dyson Awards, narrowly being beaten by a design for a reusable EpiPen.

What we like

  • They’re dyed using natural colors derived from food and flower waste
  • The leather looks feels and lasts as long as traditional animal-hide

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

9. The Third Size

The Third Size is a product concept that utilizes rice straw to create not just the tissue but the boxes they come in as well. As anyone who has lived without a bidet or who suffers from various allergies and sicknesses, tissue paper is among the most used materials. In reality, just a small part of it is used and the rest is discarded. Re-using it comes with so many hygiene and medical issues. Some of them come in disposable boxes so the container is also part of the waste.

Why is it noteworthy?

Using biodegradable and recyclable materials like rice straw can help in limiting wastage. Third Size is a multi-size carton that can hold replaceable tissue packs. The different-sized holes let you choose which size tissue you’ll be needing, whether to blow your nose, wipe off a table, or do your business in the bathroom. The box is sturdy enough to be re-used several times over and can even be used as a container for other stuff if you have no need for tissue paper.

What we like

  • Helps in limit wastage
  • The box is sturdy enough to be re-used several times over

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

10. The Vine Collection

The Vine collection includes a vase-like vessel, a dish tray, a basket, and a bowl that look like a series of wooden rods twisted to create pleasing curves and shapes. No adhesives or extra connecting parts were used to finish their forms, ensuring that the products were sustainable and recyclable from start to finish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The twisting shapes are a testament to the capabilities of Forust’s 3D printer, but they also serve as metaphors for the organic nature of trees that eventually end up as source materials for these products.

What we like

  • The technology does actually support recreating the appearance of different wood grains, including those from endangered trees

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

The post Top 10 sustainable designs for the inner environmentalist in you first appeared on Yanko Design.