Nike has developed the Air Zoom Alphafly Next Nature performance shoe.
sustainability
Jellyfish Leather
Japanese Royal College of Art (RCA) graduate Yurii Kasao has developed a material derived from jellyfish that could offer an alternative to leather for fashion accessories.Due to global warming and ecosystem imbalances caused by…
Skateboard made from Ocean Waste
Los Angeles-based Bureo Skateboards has launched a line made from recycled fishing nets in a bid to reduce and raise awareness about ocean plastic pollution. Each board is made in Chile from 1kg of…
Sneaker Packaging : Reduced Footprint
Reducing packaging’s eco-footprint via waste reduction and reusability is a shrewd way to entice the increasing number of consumers whose retail choices are driven, at least in part, by green and ethical…
Laser Print Labels
Spanish company Laser Food is pioneering a less artificial packaging and labelling solution for fresh produce. Its fruit tattoo concept is achieved by applying iron oxides and hydroxides to the skin of the fruit…
Paper Bottles
Stepping away from plastic entirely, global soft-drinks brand PepsiCo recently filed a patent for a beverage bottle made from paper fibres. The viability of paper bottles is also being investigated by smaller brands including…
Coca-Cola PlantBottle
PlantBottle packaging is the latest breakthrough from The Coca-Cola Company designed to change the way the world thinks of plastic bottles. It is the first ever fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle…
Nanocellulose Fibreboard
As seen at the Royal College of Art’s graduate show (June 25 to July 5 2015), Yunting Yin has developed a nanocellulose fibreboard material as a sustainable alternative to MDF (medium-density fibreboard). The material…
Shwood Newspaper Glasses
Portland-based brand Shwood has introduced a new collection of eyewear frames made from compressed newspaper, adding to its existing range of glasses made from sustainably sourced wood. The composite material is made in-house by…
Julia Lohmann
Seaweed is a marine plant found throughout the world’s seas and oceans. Substances derived from seaweed, including agar, alginate and other chemical derivatives, are mainly used in processed foods, drinks and cosmetics.…
Hemp
Hemp is an adaptable plant that can be grown in most climates. Environmentally sensitive, it requires few pesticides or fertilisers for its cultivation. Versatile as a material, hemp fibre is used for…
Milan 2015: Melange
Sustainable Medley: Mixing materials and unusual material sources form intriguing designs and patterns for product. Waste foam chips are used in lighting, while rubber granules, reformed plastics and recycled textiles are applied as…
Cork: New Possibilities
Cork is well-known for its use as wall insulation, pinboards and bottle closures. But the material is evolving beyond these realms. With its natural resistance to heat, vibration and moisture, designers are…
Costa’s Zero Energy Eco-Pod
UK coffee chain Costa Coffee is trialling a groundbreaking new Eco-Pod coffee shop concept. The site, positioned in a retail park in Telford, England, offers seating for 78 patrons, and aims to…
Julian Melchiorri Bio-leaf
London-based designer Julian Melchiorri has engineered the first man-made biological leaf. Made from a silk-based material, it uses photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen. The new material could be harnessed in applications to bring…