Revenge of the Electric Car (The Movie)

The 2006 film Who Killed the Electric Car took a look at the role that the government, automotive manufacturers, the oil industry, and even consumers played in hindering the development of the electric vehicle in the 1990's. Here is the new movie coming out to educate us on the next phase of this long-time coming innovation to the masses. Will it work this time?

A Great Video about Linen

BE LINEN MOVIE from Benoit MILLOT on Vimeo.

(It's subtitled)

Boxed Water fighting eco-crimes ?

The startup, which calls itself Boxed Water Is Better, distributes water in milk cartons under the premise that paper packaging is gentler on the earth than standard-issue PET plastic bottles. Seventy-six percent of each carton comes from green-certified trees; it's then shipped flat to the water supplier, cutting back on transportation waste. The cartons can be recycled. And 20 percent of the profits go toward tree and water relief organizations -- though, it should be noted, that that hasn't happened yet because, as the company says, "we're still paying for our start-up costs."


On environmental merits alone, boxes beat plastic with some caveats. But that comparison may be moot, considering that cartons are unlikely to replace bottles in terms of practicality. Imagine jogging with a milk carton or trying to put it in your purse after you've already opened it. You might as well stick a hose in there. The best that boxed water could hope for is to replace tap water -- and tap water is kinder to the environment than any packaging out there, whether plastic, glass, or paper.

Still, some consumers are going for the pitch. Boxed Water Is Better sells to everyone from coffee shops and yoga studios to the uber-trendy Standard Hotel in L.A. Maybe that kind of roster -- which the company says has expanded since it was released -- tells you what's really being sold here.


[Via Packaging of the World; images courtesy of Boxed Water Is Better] & Fast Co.

Letter from the editor ::.

Ice Breaker says ... like it is...

"Synthetic fleece isn't fleece at all," complains Jeremy Moon, the cultural anthropologist turned sustainable designer behind the wool-focused adventure-apparel maker Icebreaker. "It's all plastic." Moon, 40, has spent the past 15 years refining merino wool from New Zealand's Southern Alps into breathable, anti-stink base layers, but this fall marks his first foray into fleece. "We've been working on the technology for three years," he says. "It's taken us that long to perfect it."

Icebreaker's Realfleece ($200 with hood, $175 without) repels outside moisture while absorbing perspiration, making it perfect for a fall hike. During a trip to Yellowstone National Park, it proved indispensable every time the sun hid behind the clouds and in the evenings. The flattering trim fit also makes it a sporty light jacket back in the city.

But the Wellington, New Zealand-based company doesn't only want you to stay warm -- it also wants you to feel good. Its unique Baacode program -- yes, baa -- lets you trace your fleece back to the farmers and sheep who helped make it, just in case you want to send them a thank-you note.

For more Icebreaker Go Here

via* Fast Co.

ZERO waste wears ::.

As Nonetheless is in the middle of production here in Chicago. I couldn't resist to share one of the hardest parts of the design, development, and production phase. The reality of ZERO WASTE! Over and over I find myself explaining why things are done a certain way. Sustainability in product design is not an easy feat. Those of you that know me well... know I dig solutions. Here is a nice story from the The New York Times. -- JSP

Vegetable Butcher Shops ::.

In NYC at Eataly customers will have the option of speaking to a vegetable butcher.

Here customers looking for insight into how to prepare an artichoke, the best way to cook a delicata squash or who simply don’t have time to prep their produce before they get home, will be able to take advantage of the free service while they shop. And to make sure no one walks away without paying full price for the freshly cleaned and peeled carrots or cucumbers, all customers are given their vegetable trimmings in a separate bag for weighing at check out, at which point the store will take care of composting.

Hope to see this in Chicago soon!

via* PSFK

YES!

The Real Story of Bottled Water

A good story here @ Fast Company READ ON >>

e-Waste (re)cycling Video ::.

As a designer, I like to think about the purposes, which individuals will truly utilize my creations. Moreover, the enjoyment that it will bring in its life span. Well, watch this video and see things that were once useful and even beautiful destroyed and recycled.

Cork Bicycle Helmet ::.

This helmet by french designer Kévin Goupil is based on an old french army helmet. It's highly functional, made of sustainable materials, and luminous looking. My kind of product for sure.

Seed Bombs

I fell in love with this concept when I first saw it on the online funding platform, Kickstarter.com (the same company that helped us bring our new clothing line, Nonetheless alive (coming soon at the end of July!)). Loving that it's now also a reality for GreenAid too.

Common Studios: Green Aid from ISHOTHIM on Vimeo.

Biodegradable Tent Could Solve Festival Waste Problems ::.

via* The Green Thing

The problem: a massive amount of tent waste left in fields at the end of a festival. Few people want to bring good quality tents as they may get ruined so most people opt for the cheap stuff. For less than £20 one can get their hands on a tent that will provide shelter for a weekend but then it gets left behind. Abandoned. Put to landfill. Complete waste.

And we thought surely there has to be a better way.

Designer extraodinaire, Vanessa Harden has been spending the past few months working alongside Green Thing and others to tackle the brief. Without further hesitation, we bring you Future Tents.

Future Tents are the world's first festival tents that will last three days then biodegrade. Embedded with local seeds the tents disintegrate to reveal rejuvenated green spaces.

Over the next 4 days, Vanessa will be living in the tent and documenting how the design is holding up and the feedback people have.

Green Thing are headed north to T in the Park to trial the world's first biodegradable tent! If you'd like to follow our future tents adventure, you follow us on twitter or click on the tag 'Future Tents' below to see blog entries. We'd love to hear your suggestions, impressions and thoughts!