Come October and Wal-Mart Stores Inc will be going the eco-friendly way. Yes, the largest retailer in the world has decided to reduce plastic bag wastage in its stores by 25 per cent in the US and 50 per cent in other countries. Keeping in tune with the new green promise, the store will be selling a new 50-cent reusable bag in the U.S. Also, its baggers will be trained to pack bags more efficiently.

Actually, Wal-Mart is just becoming a part of the global attempt to curb the use of plastic bags. San Francisco has outlawed non-biodegradable plastic bags from supermarkets while California is encouraging their reuse. Even China has decided to put an end to the use of ultra-thin plastic bags. Countries like Rwanda and Bangladesh have also followed suit.
But looks like Wal-Mart’s little sacrifice is not aggressive enough! Environmentalists applaud their efforts but they do not think it will be able to make much difference in the large picture. The steps have to be more drastic, they say.
Via economictimes

It is ironic that 90% of the ‘natural’ disasters that we see today are actually a culmination of man’s callous exploitation of the planet. Yet, every time there is a disaster that strikes the civilized world, our heart goes out in support of the needy. It is not easy to face the fury of the elements and as kind as the planet can be, it can also unleash moments of madness that can and often do leave millions homeless. Matthew Malone’s innovative new green disaster shelter is a wonderful option which provides shelter to the homeless.

Designed for disaster relief, the Recover Shelter can house a family of four for a month. It can be set up by one person in minutes, collapsed into either of two configurations for transportation and is made of 100% polypropylene. The polypropylene makes the Recover Shelter 100% recyclable, the ridges can collect drinking water, and the structure can be covered in local materials for better insulation. The shelter has unique green features and is cheap to both produce and use.

Since there is no harmful gas produced during both the making and using of this green recovery Shelter, it makes it a lot better than the many that are in use today. The fact that it can be shipped with ease and convenience and can be set up by a single person in minutes only saves precious time in situations of emergency. Matthew Malone’s technology could probably be improved and developed further to provide permanent shelter for the millions who are homeless world wide.

Via Yankodesign

Flaunted here is an adaptable handy product proposed by an Israeli student designer, Gilli Kuchik intended for serving an exacting green purpose. This compliant bag cum trolley named Urban Troll would happen to be a far-fetched ecofriendly commencement as it would trim down the handling of plastic bags and packs.
Hence, this green step would lend a big hand in creating an environment liberated from perilous synthetic supplies. Apart from this green objective this exclusively hip bag cum trolley devised by Gilli would allow us to enlarge the bag and convert it into trolley by just unfurling it.

Even though the designer has fashioned this accessory principally for female shoppers but by way of trivial alterations and amendments in color, shape and size etc., its design can be adjusted according to the wide-ranging requirements too.

With smartly and precisely trolley wheels incorporated into the bag this firm and flexible design if finished through duly lightheaded stuff would shortly turn out to be the eyeball of extremely shopaholic city ladies as of its utilitarian and changeable features.

Check out the video:

Via Tuvie / Haatar

In this day and age little kids would also be connecting to ecological and recyclable objects by means of freshly launched set of Dante Beatrix’s eco bags. The intact variety of these green bags labeled as “Big Kid Eco Pack” is crafted out of nylon which in turn is attained from cast-off plastic material water bottles.
Designers claim that this newly evolved green bag manufacturing technique would wipe out around seven16oz bottles from the milieu as altogether environmental and biodegradable matter is exploited for its imaging and grooming. However the beauty of this fashionable bag doesn’t lie merely in its outward appearance and its green aspect but in its seizing capability as well.

Doomed for kids in the age group of five to ten years this hefty and stocky bag is so voluminous that it can grapple an adequate amount of kid’s belongings and chattels such as books, notebooks, lunchbox or even non didactic stuff like video games too. Besides this further striking facet is that this elite bag series is offered in three different themes i.e. peace, love and recycling and accordingly three different designs for them.

Although this Dante Beatrix’s office (managed by three designers and a canine) is originally sited in Manhattan but its products are available worldwide and we may possibly get them by simply demanding online.

Via GreenDaily

There are no doubts about the fact that when it comes to cycling, the activity is a safe bet for keeping oneself in shape without increasing one’s footprint on the planet. Innervision 1 is a bicycle which is just perfect for all those eco-conscious health freaks. Created by industrial designer Matt Clark, this bike has a great green quotient. Its frame is unique. Carved out from recycled plastic, the bike is an ultra light addition to products that originate from the healthy practice of recycling! The designer has kept in mind all the issues involved in the production process and accordingly designed Innervision 1. Besides the exterior plastic frame (reinforced plus unreinforced recyclable polypropylene) there’s also an Innerframe.

The latter provides rigidity and strength to the bike. To reduce both costs and environmental impact, the Innerframe is also made from recycled plastic bottles. The looks might be deceptive but the reinforced plastic provides the bike a strength equivalent to that found in regular aluminum bike frame!

Now, the only thing which bothers me is its price (not disclosed so far by the designer). Although Matt has kept the cost in mind but as is seen generally, such ultra-green and environmentally friendly products are usually out of the reach of the common man. It would be wonderful if the bike is priced such that it would appeal all kinds of bike riders. After all, if the green and clean technologies are not affordable then how will they be effective in bringing a tangible change in the situations of today?

Via: OhGizmo! / DesignerGallery

A marvelous example of ingenuity and figment of our wide imagination has been portrayed by Denis Oudendijk and Jan Körbes. Lately, they have erected a Garden home by utilizing the discarded car tyres, wadding glasses, stainless steel plates and salvage wood. This autonomous entity erected mainly on wooden structure roofed with manifold thin plates is practically a four-season serviceable house. Above and beyond it is proved to be both water and winter resistant as it is sheltered by stone wool seclusion and a pant able plastic membrane. The idea of this innovatively designed edifice came to its creators due to the obligations presented by the inhabitants of the house.

Actually the designers got to meet a couple who were expecting their second child and out of necessity were keen on raising a larger and purposeful structure enclosing spacious office area and storerooms within it. Accordingly the architects planned for smashing down the on hand structure and rebuild the house by reprocessing materials and substances. In fact, this is an ecofriendly choice of building green homes employing natural stuff without being harsh on environment and surroundings.

It’s surely an eco intellectual, kind and humane way out to utilize recycled bits and pieces for making our environment green and granting safe asylums as well to several destitute beings that are on streets living a rough life.

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Today every positive move towards curbing pollution counts and whenever I hear about any such development I like to share it with you all. After a ban on plastic bags in China, Israel, Australia (Melbourne) and San Francisco, it’s now Los Angeles’ turn.  The city dwellers want to green-up their homes, offices and play grounds by completely shunning plastic bags by 2010. The positive move is now going to materialize with the coming in effect of Assembly bill (AB 2058) next month. The latter will addresses recycling issues and a fee for plastic bags. This means the new legislative measure will take care of the 2.3 billion bags consumed by LA’s population. Until now, there was a voluntary program residing in the city which involved encouraging customers to opt for reusable bags (which sums up to 5% of entire lot).

But as it turns out the move is not enough to tackle the problem of growing numbers of plastic waste. Besides plastic, a ban on Styrofoam will also be implemented by 2009 at all city-owned facilities (including LAX). The enormous Styrofoam and plastic waste piled up in LA contributes to direct pollution of Pacific Ocean owning to the city’s prime location. After hearing all this good news from Melbourne,  San Francisco and now Los Angeles too, I whole heartedly feel others should also embrace such bans, especially India where plastic nuisance has choked her major rivers like Yamuna and is daily adding on to its pollution scale.

Via: inhabitat

Conventionally, economical method of formulating plastic is fossil fuels, as bioplastics through vegetable stuff would ask for a soaring price. Furthermore, various companies are making use of cornstarch for preparing this polymer. However, a Denmark Agroplast has contemplated a wholly new plot and a Danish venture firm is also lending a hand in infusing this scheme.

Agroplast proposes to make over animal wastes predominantly pig urine into plastic tableware and other household bits and pieces. The concept behind this is twofold; former is to snap the glitch of setting out the pig lingering seeing it’s vulnerability to atmosphere and following is to utilize a compound called urea present in urine for profitability.

As per the agroplast this course would produces plastics charging incredibly less than traditional plastic making processes though absolute worth of this substance could be identified only after it gets on the rampage.

Via Cnet

Sam’s Club- United States’ second largest wholesale retailer has shifted to a new type of milk container being introduced in the U.S. markets recently. The milk container is not a looker or a sensation in terms of design. Infact, the new milk jug is a square shaped gallon. This packaging change isn’t a promotional gimmick but utility factor in case of the container. Milk has been transported for wholesale consumption in pitchers at the beginning. Then came the glass bottles (in 1800’s). Followed by, cardboard cartons and finally plastic gallons.

The new milk containers are also made form plastic but this time its 100% recycled plastic making it a eco-friendly option. Other interesting feature is that the new milk jug is so designed that in bulk transporting it doesn’t require crates or racks for shipping and storage thereby, reducing transportation costs! As per Sam’s Club, the new case-less jugs result in 10-20% cost savings to the consumers.
Also, 9% more milk can be accommodated now in these jugs thereby reducing overall fuel cost incurred by frequent delivery trips made by trucks. Additionally, water isn’t required to clean the crates or racks because this new milk jug is case-less.

Therefore, water is also saved. Cool! And last but not the least the new milk gallon is self-stacking; thanks to the flat spout. Also, each gallon can easily rest on another during transport. I hope like Sam’s Club other wholesalers should also reconsider their options and opt for this new and definitely ‘greener’ milk jug.

Via ModernEcoHomes

Celebrate this 4 July with red, blue, white & green. In today’s age, celebrating your country’s and thus, your own freedom in an irresponsible manner is just not fair! We have already done a lot of merry-making at the expense of Mother Nature and now facing the consequences as well. While the buzz words these days are carbon footprint, green house gas emission and sustainability. Let’s see how we can decrease the first two and embrace the third entity this fourth-of-July.

Points to Remember:
· BBQ but in a green manner by using natural gas grills over charcoal grills.
· Say no to plastics (cups& plates). Use recyclable/reusable crockery (SEE below the list of some eco-friendly products that should be used).
· Go for organic food on your palette.
· Share resources, celebrate together with your locality.
· Resist the temptation of burning crackers at home; if must watch nearby town celebration where authorities use green crackers for firework displays.

And here’s the list of some eco-friendly products which you can use this July4th and make them a part of your daily lifestyle for a greener and eco-conscious living.

1) Bamboo Bar Board
Product USP- Perfect for the bar or other small area; has sleek, modern design but is smaller in size.
Price - $14.90

2) Preserve Cutlery
Product USP- Made from 100% recycled plastic.
Price - $8

3) Preserve Tableware Large Plates
Product USP- made from 100% recycled plastic, will bring flair and elegance to any occasion.
Price - $10

4) All-Occasion Veneerware Bamboo Plates
Product USP- is disposable but doesn’t looks so!
Price - $11.45

5) Fire & Light Big Bowl
Product USP- recycled glassware and dinnerware are perfect for both practical dinner settings, and more elegant occasions.
Price - $61.90

6) Boxwood Goods Organic Flax Cocktail Napkins
Product USP- perfectly sized for drinks and nibbles and are bio-degradable.
Price - $25

7) Ecolution Hemp Apron
Product USP- made by grown and processed without chemicals or pesticides in Romania and the workers are paid fair wages.
Price - $27.95

Ecolution Hemp Oven Mitt
Product USP- made from 100% Hemp, can really take the heat.
Price - $8.95

Via DIYLife