Innovation & Technology

The latest products, services, design approaches and business models that are helping organizations of all sizes deliver on their sustainability ambitions and establish a new business as usual

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Amazi Looking to Increase the World's Access to Drinking Water — Without the Bottles
Amazi Looking to Increase the World's Access to Drinking Water — Without the Bottles
Published on May 22, 2014
About a 3 minute read

In the weeks leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 4th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will get to know our 11 semi-finalists. Today, meet Amazi. On a road trip a couple of yea... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Startup Growing 'Zero Carbon Food' in London Underground Tunnels Has Investors Clamoring
Startup Growing 'Zero Carbon Food' in London Underground Tunnels Has Investors Clamoring
Published on May 22, 2014
About a 4 minute read

It is not often that a new venture with an unbelievable, yet-to-be-proven concept is overwhelmingly backed by investors. Zero Carbon Food (ZCF) is just such a venture — throwing conventional wisdom aside, the company's Growing Underground SW4 proje... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
#SB14sd Preview: Ford Sees the Future in Data
#SB14sd Preview: Ford Sees the Future in Data
Published on May 22, 2014
About a 8 minute read

Ford Motor Company says it considers big data and analytics the next frontier for innovation, competition and productivity.At Sustainable Brands ’14 San Diego (June 2-5), Carrie Majeske, Ford’s Associate Director of Global Sustainability Integrat... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Campher Offers Unique Insights, Approaches to 'Creating a Sustainable Brand'
Campher Offers Unique Insights, Approaches to 'Creating a Sustainable Brand'
Published on May 21, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Most sustainability initiatives are focused on improving the triple bottom line, but what about growing the business top line? ... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Idaho Startup Wants to Pave Roads With Glass Solar Panels
Idaho Startup Wants to Pave Roads With Glass Solar Panels
Published on May 20, 2014
About a 2 minute read

An Idaho couple has developed a modular paving system of solar panels that can be installed on roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, bike paths, as well as playgrounds, and generate electricity to power homes and businesses connected via drivewa... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
#SB14sd Preview: Arrow Electronics on CSR and 'Five Years Out'
#SB14sd Preview: Arrow Electronics on CSR and 'Five Years Out'
Published on May 20, 2014
About a 6 minute read

With 2013 sales of $21.4 billion, Colorado-based Arrow Electronics is one of the largest suppliers of electronics components in the world with 460 locations in 58 countries. Three years ago, the company underwent a complete corporate rebranding aroun... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Organic Carbon Battery More Powerful Than Lithium Ion, Charges Twice as Fast
Organic Carbon Battery More Powerful Than Lithium Ion, Charges Twice as Fast
Published on May 15, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Japanese startup Power Japan Plus has launched a new battery technology that generates twice as much energy as a lithium ion battery and charges 20 times faster. The technology could lead to cheaper long-range electric vehicles (EV) that can travel h... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Verizon Offering $6M for Powerful Answers to Four Global Problems
Verizon Offering $6M for Powerful Answers to Four Global Problems
Published on May 15, 2014
About a 1 minute read

Verizon is now accepting applications for its Powerful Answers Award, which offers a total of $6 million in prizes for ideas that have the power to create groundbreaking change.Verizon’s Powerful Answers Award invites innovators, developers and ent... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
GM Fuel Cell Fleet Surpasses 3 Million Miles
GM Fuel Cell Fleet Surpasses 3 Million Miles
Published on May 15, 2014
About a 2 minute read

General Motors’ fleet of fuel cell vehicles has passed three million miles of hydrogen-powered, real-world driving, avoiding 157,894 gallons of gasoline consumption, according to a recent announcement.GM’s specially equipped fleet of Chevrolet Eq... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
FoodLoop Helps Shoppers, Retailers Work Together to Eliminate Grocery Waste
FoodLoop Helps Shoppers, Retailers Work Together to Eliminate Grocery Waste
Published on May 13, 2014
About a 6 minute read

In the weeks leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 4th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will get to know our 11 semi-finalists. Today, meet FoodLoop. ... View More

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Materials & PackagingInnovation & Technology
Sprint Launches Carbon-Negative, Methane-Based iPhone Cases
Sprint Launches Carbon-Negative, Methane-Based iPhone Cases
Published on May 13, 2014
About a 4 minute read

Today Sprint announced it will be one of the first companies to use AirCarbon™, a new carbon-negative plastic made from methane gas, instead of petroleum. The material will be used in black and pink cell phone cases for the iPhone® 5 and iPhone® ... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
New Moop + Thread Bags First Products to Feature Thread's Plastic-Turned-Fabric
New Moop + Thread Bags First Products to Feature Thread's Plastic-Turned-Fabric
Published on May 13, 2014
About a 2 minute read

SBIO 2013 finalist Thread, which creates fabric from plastic bottle waste collected in the developing world, has released a line of special-edition bags with its first partner, canvas bag manufacturer Moop. Each waxed canvas Moop + Thread bag — ava... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Startup's Desalination Tech Could Supply the World with 97% More Water
Startup's Desalination Tech Could Supply the World with 97% More Water
Published on May 9, 2014
About a 4 minute read

In the weeks leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 4th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will get to know our 11 semi-finalists. Today, meet Okeanos. ... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Toyota Funding Hydrogen-Fueling Infrastructure in California
Toyota Funding Hydrogen-Fueling Infrastructure in California
Published on May 8, 2014
About a 2 minute read

Toyota has entered into a group of financial agreements with FirstElement Fuel Inc. (FE) to support the long-term operation and maintenance expenses of new hydrogen refueling stations in California, according to a recent announcement.Toyota says the ... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Bureo's Upcycled Skateboard Aims to Clean Up Chile's Waters
Bureo's Upcycled Skateboard Aims to Clean Up Chile's Waters
Published on May 5, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Last fall, we introduced a startup called Bureo Skateboards, which aimed to build skateboards from the tons of plastic waste littering Chile’s beaches and waters. Founders Ben Kneppers and David Stover detailed the company’s journey from the idea... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
UK Startup Turning Enterprising Beer Lovers Into Urban Farmers
UK Startup Turning Enterprising Beer Lovers Into Urban Farmers
Published on May 2, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Some breweries in England are increasingly sourcing their hops from New Zealand and the US instead of buying closer to home, which generates a bigger carbon footprint. While chatting about beer over a pint at an Incredible Edible Lambeth event in the... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Hawaiians Demand More Solar, Believe Utility Company Is Slowing Adoption
Hawaiians Demand More Solar, Believe Utility Company Is Slowing Adoption
Published on April 28, 2014
About a 2 minute read

An overwhelming number of Hawaii residents (94 percent) support more rooftop solar, and 90 percent believe that Hawaiian Electric (HECO) — the state’s largest supplier of electricity — is slowing rooftop solar to protect its profits, according ... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Isidore Slashing E-Waste, Recidivism in LA While Planning Broader Impact
Isidore Slashing E-Waste, Recidivism in LA While Planning Broader Impact
Published on April 25, 2014
About a 4 minute read

In the lead-up to this year’s SB Innovation Open, we’re catching up with some of our favorite paradigm-disrupting startups from past years. This week, we have an update from SBIO 2013 finalist Isidore Electronics Recycling.Our last encounter with... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
How Crowdfunding Is Catalyzing Social Change
How Crowdfunding Is Catalyzing Social Change
Published on April 24, 2014
About a 3 minute read

When I ran a crowdfunding campaign for Kuli Kuli last May, we had zero money, no full-time staff and a network that consisted mostly of other broke 20-somethings. And yet, within a day we had raised $22,000. We went on to raise $53,000 from 800 peopl... View More

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Innovation & TechnologyInnovation & Technology
Patagonia Invests in Waterless, Energy-Efficient Textile Processing Company
Patagonia Invests in Waterless, Energy-Efficient Textile Processing Company
Published on April 24, 2014
About a 3 minute read

Patagonia has announced a strategic investment in CO2Nexus, a company that has developed a sustainable method of processing (cleaning, disinfecting and coating) textiles and garments using liquid carbon dioxide — which uses zero water, consumes les... View More

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