Sustainable Consumption Stories
This polyurethane foam degrades on land and in the ocean
Microorganisms break down and consume the foam, which is being used to make fully biodegradable shoes
Can we balance our carbon budget by using less stuff?
Or does “dematerialization” simply swap stubborn technological problems for even more intractable social ones?
A rare head-to-head comparison finds green products aren’t necessarily less toxic
Laundry detergents were among the most toxic tested
New biodegradable, recyclable battery is made of crab shells
Looking for a lithium alternative, researchers combined chitin and zinc to create a low-cost, long-lived battery with a smaller environmental footprint.
Making clothes from trees brings an unlikely win-win for food security and the environment
New breeds of poplar trees could produce enough fiber to replace a large share of cotton farming in Europe — freeing up that land for other uses.
Engineers devise a resin to recycle wind turbine blades into countertops, diapers, and even gummy bears
The world will produce over 40 million tonnes of turbine blade waste by 2050. A new resin makes it easier to turn them into valuable products.
Engineers make strong concrete with waste tire rubber
The new greener, lighter concrete ditches expensive, mined natural materials for ground-up tires, finding a use for the billions that go to landfill
New heat pump design inflates efficiency and deflates costs
The remarkably simple new technology could lower the cost of owning a climate-friendly HVAC system and increase its adoption
AC Has Been A Climate Scourge. Could It Become A Climate Solution?
The world needs more air conditioning. If we do it right, it could even reduce emissions
Strong plastic made from waste biomass degrades into sugar
Made from inexpensive materials, this plastic withstands high temperatures and blocks food-damaging gases just like conventional plastics used for food and drink packaging.
