Design | GreenerDesign.com

Dutch Company Develops Green Alternative to Common Chemical

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:03:00 -0700

DSM, a Dutch chemical and materials company, plans to release a greener version of a chemical used in polymers, resins, food and pharmaceuticals later this year.

Teijin Improves Biofront's Heat Resistance, NatureWorks Strikes New Partnership

GreenerDesign Staff — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:16:00 -0700

Teijin, the Japanese textile company that recently gave up its half of the joint venture partnership running bioplastic manufacturer NatureWorks, has announced its own plant-based material, Biofront, has been improved to perform nearly as well as PET plastic.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wetsuits Made from Recycled Polyester Take to the Waves

GreenerDesign Staff — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:48:00 -0700

Australian surfwear maker Billabong has gone to market with a wetsuit fashioned from 90 percent recycled polyester that takes 80 percent less energy to manufacture.

Timberland Designed Newest Boots With Disposal in Mind

Jonathan Bardelline — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:24:00 -0700

Later this year Timberland will release its Earthkeepers 2.0 boot, the company's first product to be designed with end-of-life in mind. The company has crafted the boot to be disassembled and recycled, a concept that is spreading throughout various industries as companies realize the benefits of taking back and reusing their own, and other companies', trashed items.

Canada Proposes Further Banning Phthalates From Kids' Products

GreenerDesign Staff — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:34:00 -0700

Health Canada is looking to expand a ban on a set of chemicals that are used to make plastic soft and flexible. The ban on phthalates would extend to children's products that kids are likely to chew on.