Product, Service & Design Innovation
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.
Brand Blind Spots, Empty Promises Hindering Effective Action Against Plastic Pollution
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. As seen in ongoing incidents of greenwashing and a new Greenpeace report, the onus is on consumer product manufacturers to take more comprehensive approaches to stemming their flow of plastic into the world — and turning the tide of public opinion.
This Company’s 3D-Printed Terracotta Tiles Are Paving the Way for Coral Restoration
Archireef has developed the world’s first-ever biomimetic, artificial reef tile — promoting coral survivorship and growth in an environmentally friendly, adaptive and scalable way.
2022 Ray of Hope Prize Winners Offer Biomimetic Solutions to Fresh Food Waste, Surface Finishing
The Biomimicry Institute has chosen India’s GreenPod Labs and Germany’s Fusion Bionic as 2022’s top biomimicry startups, from a pool of over 200 applicants from 54 countries.
ShippingEasy Pilots Carbon-Neutral Shipping for Ecommerce Merchants During the Holiday Season
The Texas-based small-business shipper, in partnership with South Pole, will offset merchants’ shipping emissions by funding a renewable energy project in Oklahoma.
Corporate-University Partnerships Support the Next Generation in Creating a Circular Future
Cross-Posted from From Purpose to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together. Recognizing the value of education both as a strategic initiative for preparing future brand employees and as an opportunity to help shape a more sustainable value chain.
New Metrics, New Narrative, New Models Reflect New Approaches to Ensuring Targeted Impacts
Cross-Posted from New Metrics. One of many recurring themes at SB’22 San Diego was the need for a new lexicon and new metrics for the regeneration movement, which more accurately reflect the level of work and transformation needed to not only avert climate collapse but to enable a flourishing future for all.
This Aquatic Robot Is Making a Meal Out of Marine Waste
RanMarine has created the world’s first autonomous marine robot. Utilizing drone technology, it can collect up to 500 kg of plastic waste and destructive biomass each day, harmoniously clearing up and monitoring our waters.
Stora Enso Says Circular Building Solution Could Eliminate 70% of Construction’s Climate Impacts
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. The Finnish biomaterials giant says shifting to wood as a building material can cut up to 70% of emissions per project and ensure that the construction industry is part of the solution to end global warming.
These Are a Few of Our Favorite Innovators Creating Healthier Products, Lifestyles, Communities, Supply Chains
This week at SB’22 San Diego, over 1K sustainability practitioners have converged to share insights, tools, inspiration and opportunities for collaboration with the goal of building a regenerative future for all. Here, we hear highlights from our day three keynotes, which featured pioneers disrupting and upleveling a variety of industries.
Wikkelboats Bringing Life, Recreation, Sustainable Design Opportunities to Unused Urban Waterways
These biodegradable, floating houses are revitalizing abandoned European harbors, creating recreational spaces for everyone to enjoy while inspiring the masses to make more sustainable design choices.
Brand Leaders, Visionaries Gather to Help Sustainability Practitioners ‘Recenter & Accelerate’
Cross-Posted from Leadership. This week at SB'22 San Diego, over 1K sustainability practitioners have converged to share insights, tools, inspiration and opportunities for collaboration with the goal of building a regenerative future for all. On opening night, luminaries from a variety of disciplines reminded attendees the importance of taking a breath and opening your mind.
Mycelium Materials Poised to Leave Conventional Leather Industry Hanging by a Thread
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. Biotech startups Bolt Threads, Ecovative and Zvnder have discovered how to make the most of mycelium — creating high-quality, sustainable versions of ubiquitous materials such as leather.
‘WhatIF’ More Foods Were Made This Way? Meet the Company Feeding Both People and Soil
By creating supply chains around nutritionally dense, easy-to-grow but mostly overlooked ingredients that help restore soil health, WhatIF Foods envisions a more just, beneficial food system tailored to meet the needs of various regions.
Influencing the Influencers: How to Unlock Mass Adoption of Sustainable Products
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. We must not only create products that address environmental impact without compromising consumer experience, but also help consumers understand that they don’t compromise when they embrace more sustainable products. How? By influencing our industry’s influencers.
Connected Products Platform Illuminates ‘Soul’ of Garments by Improving Supply Chain Visibility
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. By enabling raw material traceability at scale, Avery Dennison’s atma.io helps brands account for varying environmental footprints through more granular supply chain data, and empowers consumers to hold brands accountable to their sustainability promises.
E-Waste No More: Fairphone and Framework Show a Better Way Forward for Personal Electronics
Cross-Posted from Waste Not. Recycling, circular industry partnerships and marketplaces for refurbished devices are growing in popularity, but they won’t be a match for the tech industry’s throwaway approach anytime soon. But some smaller, more intrepid brands are proving the validity and demand for longer-lasting, easy-to-repair electronics.
Innovation and Data Driving Sustainability in US Cotton Industry
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. As pressures mount to make fashion more sustainable, brands, retailers, policymakers and industry leaders are all seeking assistance and assurances that global supply chains are using verified data and technology to improve the industry's footprint.
Ærli Aiming to Put Conscious, Regenerative Spin on Corporate Retreat Industry
The new Norwegian network of nine properties is on a mission to redefine business travel with experiences that embed and impart the very essence of sustainability and regenerative practices.
Trending: Carbon-Capture Innovators Continue Paving Path to Climate-Beneficial Future
Cross-Posted from Cleantech. 2 startups at the forefront of the carbon-capture space, Air Company and LanzaTech, continue to expand their portfolio of carbon-negative products and groundbreaking brand partnerships that will ensure global proliferation of their technologies.
Selfridges & Circularity: Signs of a Shift, But Still a Bit Short
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. More brands seem to be taking a two-pronged approach to growth — continuing to sell new products while demonstrating their ‘care’ for the planet through circular initiatives and takeback schemes. When will companies truly commit to changing the products they sell and how they sell them?
