How On-Demand 3D Printing Could Cut Waste, Increase Efficiency (Video)
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-10-23 21:00:00 UTC
Image: Tech Clarity
There are a lot of great ideas floating around Poptech this year -- I've
already covered plenty of
them. But I also wanted to highlight something that isn't strictly or necessarily green, yet that could end up having some interesting implications on supply ...
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Vacuum Cleaners Made from Ocean Plastic Highlight Ugly Pollution, Beautiful Design
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-10-26 18:16:00 UTC
Photos via Electrolux
This summer we let you know about a really cool project from
Electrolux, a company that wanted to make a series of their well-known vacuum cleaners out of plastic collected from the ocean. Well, they've done it -- and the vacuums turned out way cooler than we'd have imagined. The company just announced five unique vacuum cleaners each made from plastics collected from a different sea. Check them out, and a video on the process of collect...
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U.S. Solar Market to Grow 42% Annually
by: Environmental Leader, 2010-10-26 16:32:11 UTC
The U.S. solar market for photovoltaic and solar thermal electricity generation is projected to grow annually by 42 percent to reach 44 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 as long as the industry can attract $100 billion worth of investment, according to a report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The market researcher expects rapidly declining equipment costs combined with stronger government support to spur growth over the next decade.
The report also finds that high electricity prices and generous incentives are two of the biggest factors behind the market’s growth in the U.S.
The report, “Quantifying the US solar market: system returns and new build projections,” finds that solar-powered generating capacity — using photovoltaic and solar thermal electricity technologies — could reach 4.3 percent of the nation’s power capacity by 2020.
Today, the U.S. has 1.4 gigawatts of installed solar power capacity, ranking it fifth globally, according to the report. The forecast capacity from large-scale solar thermal projects is projected to rise from 0.4 gigawatts currently to 14 gigawatts by 2020. Photovoltaics is expected to achieve a 34 percent annual growth rate, reaching 30 gigawatts by 2020.
While the report indicates that the cost of a typical photovoltaic module has dropped by more than half over the past two years, solar power is still more expensive than other power sources. As an example, the unsubsidized cost of best-in-class photovoltaic and solar thermal electricity generation is just below $200/megawatt-hour — nearly four times the equivalent cost for a coal-fired power plant ($56/megawatt-hour) — and between two and four times the cost of onshore wind power, says the market research company.
The report expects that policy measures such as tax credits, capital expenditure grants, generation incentives and renewable electricity credits will be key drivers behind solar growth at least over the next three years.
The report also projects that the commercial sector will lead the way with around half of all photovoltaic installations between now and 2020, with utility and residential systems contributing one-quarter of future installations.
Taking into account incentives currently available, researchers estimate that commercial-scale photovoltaic systems can obtain unlevered returns of 8-14 percent in states such as Hawaii, Texas, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Two recent solar installations, adding to the solar portfolio in the U.S., include Del Mar Farms and Allsteel.
Del Mar Farms has activated its 354-kW photovoltaic (PV) system, which is expected to generate more than 660,000 kilowatt hours per year and pay for itself in about four years. The roof-mounted solar power system is spread across three buildings and offsets Del Mar’s main energy meter by more than 90 percent. Cenergy Power designed and installed the system.
Allsteel recently installed 42 solar panels on the roof of its 200,000-square-ft. plant in Muscatine, Iowa, which is expected to generate between 10,000-13,000 kilowatts of energy each year, reports Quad-City Times. The solar installation is estimated to prevent the emissions of 37,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and help the company reach its goal of reducing energy consumption by 5 percent each year.
95% of Consumer Products Mislead Buyers with ‘Green’ Claims
by: Environmental Leader, 2010-10-26 13:02:01 UTC
More than 95 percent of consumer products claiming to be “green” commit at least one greenwashing offense, according to a report released by TerraChoice, a North American environmental marketing company and part of Underwriters Laboratories’ global network. The worst offenders are toys and baby care products, with 100 percent and 99.2 percent, respectively, guilty of some form of greenwashing.
TerraChoice defines greenwashing as the act of misleading consumers about the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service. The environmental company’s seven “sins of greenwashing” are:
1. Sin of the hidden trade-off
2. Sin of no proof
3. Sin of vagueness
4. Sin of irrelevance
5. Sin of lesser than two evils
6. Sin of fibbing
7. Sin of worshipping false labels
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently proposed several revisions to its ”Green Guides” to help companies avoid making misleading environmental claims.
The study, “The Sins of Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition,” also reveals that BPA-free claims are up by 577 percent and phthalate-free claims increased 2,550 percent since the 2009 study, with two-thirds of these claims appearing on toys and baby products.
However, the study also finds that greenwashing has declined slightly since 2009 even with 73 percent more green products on the market today than in 2009. Nearly 5 percent of products do not mislead consumers with green claims, compared to only two percent last year.
The study also finds that marketers and product manufacturers are getting better, with greenwashing down among those who have focused on environmentally preferable practices longer than others. The proportion of products without green offenses is five times greater in “mature” categories like building, construction and office products than in “immature” categories like toys and baby products.
The survey also finds that good eco-labeling helps prevent — but does not eliminate — greenwashing. Of the products certified by a recognized third-party certification, more than 30 percent do not contain false green claims.
Big box retailers also are stocking more green products (22.8 percent) that provide legitimate environmental certifications than specialty (11.5 percent) or green boutique-style stores (12.8 percent).
The TerraChoice study surveyed 5,296 products in the U.S. and Canada that make an environmental claim. Products evaluated include baby care, toys, office products, building and construction products, cleaning products, housewares, health and beauty products, and consumer electronics. Between March and May 2010, TerraChoice visited 19 retail stores in Canada and 15 in the United States.
A Green, Green Bed
by: Yanko Design, 2010-10-20 07:10:16 UTC
I’ve got to begin this post by letting you know the fantastically simple description we were given in the mail, in response to our “No more than 1000 words” request: “This is a green bed.” Very to the point. Luckily, elsewhere there was much more to be known. It’s got everything! LED reading lights above your head, speakers for music to be played to wake you up, a flower box for lovely vines to grow up the sides, LED light to help the plant grow, and more! It’s the Ecotypic Bed!
Below the bed there’s a battery which turns the activities you do on the bed and around the bed into energy. Fun, healthy exercise around the bed with straps and pulleys and all that good stuff.
Do everything all day long on the bed! Hooray!
Designer: Arthur Xin
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Thermal Till Paper Vessels by Philippe Malouin
by: Dezeen, 2010-10-20 10:30:43 UTC
Vienna Design Week 2010: London designer Philippe Malouin made bowls from rolls of till paper at Vienna Design Week Laboratory. (more…)
pedal powered washing machine
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2010-10-19 07:45:00 UTC
following ivan illich's concept of 'tools for convivality', the pedal powered washing machine is aimed at saving one time, labour and fossil fuels by washing clothes without a generator. the open resource project called
'les outils des l'autonomie' (the tools of autonomy), provides instructions on how to build one's own manually
powered washing machine - washer x bike - using recycled components.
to build your own pedal powered washing machine you must obtain:
- a washing machine with top opening
- a bicycle at speed without a fork or small tray with front wheel type ATV (22 teeth)
- a belt of the same type as the original of 1.20 depending on the size of the wheel used
- minimum rafter measuring ideally, about 5m
- tubes, angles, flat bars, bike carriers
- thick plate (3-4mm) for turntables
- Ø 10-12 bolts, washers, nuts
to manufacture your 'washing machine':
- completely remove the inner washing machine, keeping the tank, its door opening and drain hose
- secure the vessel on a chassis rafter
- present the bike and make the bike carriers using tube, angles or other flat irons available.
all elements are welded together to the bike.
- slots are drilled into the plates (3-4mm), which allow for the adjustment of the voltage belt
- place the bike on the chassis, measuring using a string the length of the belt if necessary
- drill four holes into the frame and secure
- to prevent slippage of the belt, line the inside rim with a slip - similar to that of skateboard grips
- putting it in place, tighten tender and the machine is ready
full instructions can be found on the project's website here.
to effectively clean your clothes, the rotation of the tank should not be too fast - about 50 rpm.
to achieve this speed, while pedaling comfortably, use a tray of 22 teeth. hot water can come from a water heater,
a solar cooker, a cooker timer etc. in keeping with reducing fossil fuels. the manufacture, use and maintenance
of the pedal powered washing machin is available to all, powered by one's manual, physical movement.
Watch This Brazilian Designer Recycle Wood Into Stunning Pieces (Videos)
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-10-19 16:00:04 UTC
Photos: OficinaEthos.com.br.
Rodrigo Calixto is a young Brazilian designer running
Oficina Ethos, a Rio-based furniture firm that works with environmentally responsible sourced and reclaimed wood, in pieces often made with traditional joinery techniques that have grabbed the attention of
Wallpaper and the likes. Apart from showing his amazing furniture and art, Calixto has also put together a series of videos showing his craft, which really connec...
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Artful Jellyfish-like Bowls From Upcycled Plastic PET Bottles (Photos)
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-10-20 21:33:27 UTC
Photos: Gülnur Özdağlar
Plastic bottles -- that environmental bane of a disposable, modern society -- can be both an abundant form of
pollution in waterways and
oceans, as well as a
materials source for mind-boggling art. In the skillful...
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Two New Tools for Planning a Green Remodel
by: TreeHugger Design, 2010-10-20 22:29:21 UTC
The Eco-Cool Remodel Tool in action.
There are
lots of options available to homeowners looking to make their houses healthier and more environmentally friendly. But for many people in the midst of a renovation, the choices can be overwhelming.
Kings County, in Washington state, has developed a
useful tool—and fun web series—to help those planning or e...
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