Awesome Green

You might be freaked out about using plastic straws, but it takes a whole lot of them to have the same environmental impact as producing other things we buy and consume. Casually Explained provides a comparison of various CO2 producers, and thanks the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for sponsoring this episode.

Waste processing plants are usually some of the ugliest facilities out there. But in Copenhagen, Denmark, the modernist Amager Bakke not only cleanly converts trash to energy, its rooftop doubles as grass-covered urban ski slope. The impressive facility was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.

Exploring Alternatives introduces us to Catherine and Wayne, who have lived for nearly 30 years on a tiny man-made island in Tofino, BC, Canada. Freedom Cove was built by hand, using recycled and sustainable materials. It has multiple greenhouses, an art gallery, and a floating dance floor.

(PG-13: Language) The Ordinary Guy provides an snarky, yet educational look at humanity’s ever-increasing production of trash, our struggle to dispose of all the waste we produce, and a few of the sillier attempts to convince us not to litter via public service announcements.

Nimble’s iPhone cases are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, along with fabric exterior for texture. No plastic is wasted in packaging them, and for each one purchased, 5% of the price goes to non-profits who help protect our oceans and marine life.

Startup Lightyear is showing off a pure electric sedan that can gain up to 7.5 miles per hour of added range while in sunlight. It still plugs in for its base charge, but the solar panels covering its hood, roof, and trunk are designed to increase its range. It’s ideal for stop, start, and slow traffic for minimizing trips to the outlet.

Grouphug’s Window Solar Charger provides an effortless way to charge your gadgets using the sun. Simply stick it to a window using the included cotton cord and suction cup. It has a 10W solar panel, a bamboo frame and a 22000mAh battery.

Native’s simple and naturally-toned shoes are the world’s first to be made entirely out of plant-based materials, including eucalyptus pulp, cork, and cotton and pineapple fiber. This makes them 100% biodegradable and free of animal products.

Vericool’s Ohana is a food and drink cooler made from recycled waste paper. It’s biodegradable and fully recyclable. It can be used for up to 30 days and can hold up to 100lb. It comes in 17L and 40L capacities.

Etee is an upcoming online shop that will sell only plastic-free, reusable and biodegradable goods. Its products at launch include cling wrap, toothbrushes, and soap. Pledge on its Kickstarter now to become a lifetime member, which lets you buy at wholesale prices.

LastSwab is a reusable alternative to cotton swabs, which are wasteful and often have plastic parts, which can contribute to environmental concerns. It uses a silicone tip that is durable and washable, comes in a travel-ready case and is available in several colors, and two tip types.

The upper of VIA Design Lab’s stylish sneakers is knit from yarn made from recycled plastic. It also has a membrane that keeps water, dirt, and odor out for up to 2 hours. Its heel can also be folded to turn the shoe into a more breathable low-top. It comes in three colors.

A fish forms from the plastics ingested by a dead turtle. The master of found object stop-motion PES comes back from a long hiatus to raise awareness about how marine – and human – life are affected by plastic waste.

Everlane’s Tread shoes are made from 45% recycled materials. Only 5.8% of the sole is made from virgin plastic, unlike many shoes where the sole is almost entirely made of the non-biodegradable material. It will be available in six colors starting 4/25/19.

The Futurecraft Loop is a prototype running shoe with an upper, outsole and laces made entirely out of recyclable TPU. Paired with adidas‘ Boost midsole, the Futurecraft Loop is also made to be durable and comfortable. Its second generation is slated for general release.

Everlane’s affordable and versatile All-Weather Jacket is windproof, water-resistant and has a relaxed fit. Like the rest of Everlane’s ReNew collection, its fabric is made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles. It comes in black, navy or olive.

Hybrid Green Label makes shoes with outsoles that are partially made from recycled rubber. Depending on the design, the uppers are made with one or a mix of canvas, leather, mesh, suede or knit fabric. They have high top and low top models in various colorways. Also on Amazon.

The fabric of Coalatree’s Evolution Hoodie is made by recycling coffee grounds and plastic bottles. The resulting fabric is quick-drying and odor-resistant. The hoodie also has a zippered compartment. It packs into its own pocket for storage or for use as a pillow.

Barcelona-based Esferica makes the frame of its Fos sunglasses out of recycled plastic. The recycling process makes each frame unique, colorful, and fully recyclable. It also holds hour-long workshops where customers make their own sunglasses.

Reusable straws are so much better for the environment than disposable straws. But they can be a pain to clean, and that’s not good for you. The Rain Straw solves that by having a design that forms an airtight seal when in use yet can split into two for cleaning.

OGarden’s Smart indoor garden promises to be a low maintenance and relatively compact system. It holds up to 30 seedlings and up to 60 plants at once, ensuring a continuous harvest every 3 or 4 days. Its automatic watering system also warns you to low water levels.

Food Wrap is a washable and reusable alternative to plastic wrap and baking foil. It’s made from BPA-free and FDA-approved silicone. It forms an airtight seal, can withstand temperatures of up to 450ºF and can also be used in the freezer.

Thin and flexible plastic bags are deemed non-recyclable in the UK. Gomi collects these bags from the beaches of Brighton, then melts and molds them into speaker cases. Each case is made from 100 plastic bags. The Bluetooth 4.0 speaker lasts up to 18h per charge.