Greener Design

Growing the Future of Bamboo Products

Jonathan Bardelline — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:10:00 -0700

Bamboo has spread into the world of consumer products as fast as it grows in the wild, but the higher demand opens the door for overharvesting, price fluctuations and quality issues. BooShoot Gardens is on a mission to ensure the world's supply of bamboo stays sustainable by cloning bamboo plants and even trying to get bamboo growing again in the U.S.

Naked Juice, Earthbound Farms Switch to Recycled Packaging

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:44:00 -0700

Naked Juice and Earthbound Farm have each debuted packaging made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, some of the first instances of 100 percent recycled packaging for food and drink products.

Structure: Lessons from an Egg

Tom McKeag — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:39:00 -0700

The ostrich egg is a study in contradictions solved. It needs to move easily, and then stay put. It needs to resist breaking, and then break easily. It needs to seal some things out, but allow others in. It needs to keep some things in, but allow others out, and do so much more.

Mass. Toxics Reduction Institute Loses Funding

GreenerDesign Staff — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:32:00 -0700

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute, which has been helping businesses reduce and eliminate toxins since 1989, has lost its funding from the state.

EcoLogo to Develop Environmental Standard for Toys

GreenerDesign Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:49:00 -0700

The EcoLogo Program, which has so far created more than 120 standards covering a wide array of products, has started working on an environmental standard for toys.

DesignIntelligence Names Sustainability Role Models

GreenerBuildings Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:47:00 -0700

Pioneer in cradle-to-cradle benchmarking William McDonough, Rocky Mountain Institute Cofounder, Chairman and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins, U.S. President Barack Obama, global architectural firm HOK, Turner Construction Co. and modular carpet manufacturer Interface Inc. are among the role models named this year by the DesignIntelligence Sustainable Design Survey.

Greening Your IT, for Newbies or Experts

Matthew Wheeland — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:02:00 -0700

In this excerpt from a longer interview with IBM data center architect John Lamb, the author walks through the steps companies should take when looking at energy efficiency projects, whether they're just starting out or have picked all the low-hanging fruit.

Eastman Earns Cradle to Cradle Certification for 10 Polymers

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:41:00 -0700

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry has given Cradle to Cradle Silver certification to 10 of Eastman Chemical Company's polymers, which are used in a variety of applications like pens, toys, plastic bottles and shrink wrap.

The Next Generation of Fireworks May All Be Green

GreenBiz Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:36:00 -0700

Despite being a centerpiece of celebrations the world over, fireworks displays often release toxic chemicals into the environment; researchers are developing a new generation of fireworks that shine as bright but leave less of an impact.

The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:35:00 -0700

Green building experts from the 7group consultancy and integrative design pioneer Bill G. Reed provide a clear, practical manual on the whole-building approach to sustainability.

Cargill Takes Full Ownership of Bioplastic Manufacturer NatureWorks

GreenerDesign Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:31:00 -0700

Bioplastic maker NatureWorks has changed from being a joint venture between companies Cargill and Teijin to being an independent company fully owned by Cargill. Teijin dropped out of the joint venture as part of its company-wide restructuring.

Six Ways to Keep Green Design Alive and Well in an Ailing Economy

David Laituri — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:25:00 -0700

At a recent gathering of sustainable design professionals in Boston, there was no shortage of passion in the room and there were plenty of good ideas to share, but the consensus amongst all was clear: If sustainable design was challenging to practice in a good economy, it’s even more difficult in a bad one.

TerraCycle Teams Up With Yak Pak to Make Bags From Billboards

GreenBiz Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:26:00 -0700

The partnership signals a new direction for TerraCycle, which will be sourcing used vinyl billboard materials that Yak Bag is turning into durable, waterproof backpacks, messenger bags, totes and more.

'Virtually Waterless' Washing Machine Cleans Clothes with Polymer Beads

GreenerDesign Staff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:15:00 -0700

Cleaning company startup Xeros Ltd. and Cambridge Consultants have developed a washing machine that cuts water consumption by as much as 90 percent and launders clothes using reusable nylon polymer beads.

Highlights from IBM's Green and Beyond Summit

Matthew Wheeland — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:44:00 -0700

Last week, at San Francisco's new Academy of Sciences museum, IBM gathered a host of industry leaders to discuss how IT can help companies green much more than their data centers. Here are some of the highlights of the event.