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.
Israeli Startup Looks to Nature for Concrete Solution for Marine Infrastructure
ECOncrete has created a unique line of concrete solutions that enhance the biological and ecological value of urban, coastal and marine infrastructure; while increasing their strength and durability.
‘Quality of Life’ Economists Reveal Planning Tool for Values-Driven Entrepreneurs
Happonomy’s Leap Model is a step-by-step plan that helps startups, businesses and organizations strengthen their foundations, evaluate resources and move ideas forward while staying true to their sustainability principles.
Biomimetic Cooling, Housing Solutions Take Top Honors in Youth Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Institute’s third annual Youth Design Challenge engaged 6,000 students across the US; and yielded ingenious designs for solutions to problems in cities and nature alike.
How 3 CPG Companies Invigorated Their Brands Through Plastic Neutrality
The Plastic Neutral Certification enabled these brands to immediately address the growing concerns of their customer base, tell unique stories on their sustainability commitment, and differentiate themselves from the competition on the aisle and in the customer’s mind.
Trending: Startups Find Surprising Ways to Fuel Shift Away from Animal-Based Proteins
Startups in Israel and Colorado are hitting the lab to reinvent dairy products and pet treats, respectively, without a single animal protein (as we know it) in sight.
Giving Tuesday Now: The Jumpstart We Need to Reimagine Giving
#GivingTuesdayNow is an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It’s an opportunity to give back to communities in safe ways that allow for social connection; to support the critical work of the nonprofit sector; and perhaps more importantly, to redefine the role of business.
CaterCow Cares: The COVID-Sparked Pivot That Really Puts People Before Profit
In what could end up being a swan song for the company, CaterCow has truly put altruism ahead of self-preservation during the ongoing pandemic.
26 World-Changing Ideas: Improving Everything from Food to Health to Materials to Transport
How nice to stop thinking about COVID for a minute and revel in the potential of some truly groundbreaking creations! Here are some of Fast Company’s most recent list of 26 World-Changing Ideas that we’re especially excited about …
Trending: Food Startups Find Creative Ways to Release Products Without Expo West
Necessity is the mother of invention. That’s what led many entrepreneurs to create their product or service innovations in the first place — and that adage is definitely in play as businesses large and small are forced to pivot, almost daily, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold.
The Continued Evolution of Plant-Based Products — and the Ones We’re Not Hearing About
We must look at all categories where we can offer plant-based and sustainably sourced choices for intentional consumers. There has never been a time where we need to be more collectively conscious of the products we consume, and acknowledge their impacts on our long-term health.
Trending: The Rise and Rise of Plant-Based Proteins
Impossible Foods announces another step in its journey toward world domination; while conventional protein giants Bumble Bee and Cargill get in on the meat-free fun with a new partnership, private-label plant-based products.
Indigenous Innovations Provide Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Design
A new book, "Lo—TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism," highlights centuries-old technologies that provide a powerful toolkit for sustainable architecture and design in the modern age.
Report: Digital Sector Can Lead Transformative Systems Change for Climate-Stable Future
A new report by Future Earth asserts that digital transformations unfolding today could help enable the systems transformations necessary for mitigating the climate crisis.
Tech for a Better World: A Look at Standout Products from CES 2020
Health. Accessibility. Food. Smart everything. CES 2020 showed that technology should not only be about greater speed or convenience in our lives — it should positively impact people and the world.
Regenerative Agriculture: Not Just for Beef Anymore
Beef is naturally at the forefront of the conversation around regenerative ag because of the direct and dramatic improvement properly managed ruminants can have on soil quality. But that doesn’t mean that other foods shouldn’t be held to the same standards.
Why I Invested in a 'Smart Gun' Company
While money and special interests are unlikely to leave US politics, I’m optimistic that Biofire can change the conversation around guns: Why can’t a for-profit company build safer handguns?
Climate Action Through Biomimicry: Innovation for the SDGs
The tagline for this year’s Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, “Design° for People + Planet,” asks participants to look at what degree of change they will make for a particular SDG, using nature as their mentor.
Collaboration: A Catalyst for Cutting-Edge Change
It takes a village of visionaries and specialists to galvanize innovative ideas and bring them to fruition. In a recent webinar, Shaw examined a case study in organizations coming together to take a “people-centric approach to sustainability.”
Biomimicry Institute Seeks Nature-Inspired Innovations for $100K Ray of Hope Prize®
The Ray of Hope Prize competition gives startups a chance to get their biomimetic innovations to market; entrepreneurs with nature-inspired design solutions for climate mitigation, carbon sequestration or the SDGs have until December 31 to apply.
25 Years On: Lessons Learned from Interface’s Ongoing Sustainability Journey
Why are lessons learned by a flooring company relevant? Many of the challenges we had to solve are the same that companies are struggling with as they pursue sustainability. Our accomplishments are significant because they show it is possible to transform a business and put sustainability at the core.