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Vegan leather, beyond beLEAF™
November 1st, 2019
Leather made from leaves has the feel and texture of traditional leather while offering an environmentally sustainable option. Photos: Ricardo Perini. A material that looks and feels like leather is actually made from leaves. Natural and renewable, beLEAF™ is the creation of Nova Kaeru, a Brazilian company dedicated to developing ethical, sustainable and innovative products. The […]
Sustainable zipper
November 1st, 2019
Made from PET bottles, old fiber and other polyester remnants, the NATULON® zipper is a resource-conserving, recycling-oriented product. With production now in Macon, Ga., the zipper’s environmental impact is even lower for U.S.-based companies that no longer have to source the product overseas and will also benefit from reduced lead times. Some 10,000 NATULON zippers […]
Don’t like what you see? DIY!
October 1st, 2019
In just a little over an hour, inspired novice designers can create their own one-of-a-kind shopping bag at Freitag’s Sweat-Yourself-Shop. Photos: Roland Tännler. You see the perfect bag but wish it were just a bit more tangerine. Now Freitag®, the German-Swiss maker of recycled bags, has a proposition that eco-conscious trendsetters can’t refuse: make it […]
Rising to sustainable heights: solar balloons
October 1st, 2019
Like a field of sunflowers that tilt their heads towards the sun, the solarCLOUD canopy of solar balloons floats higher in the sky during daylight hours via solar energy. Photos: Superspace. Imagine a thousand balloons gently floating in the air above a public square collecting energy from the sun. That’s the vision of Superspace, an […]
The state of sustainability: textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge
October 1st, 2019
As climate change and pollution concerns remain at the forefront of public attention, textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge. by Jeff Moravec A decade ago in this magazine, the growing attention to sustainability in the textile supply chain was a hot topic. Guess what? It still is. This doesn’t mean the industry hasn’t […]
The Eco Pavilion at Wonderfruit 2018
September 1st, 2019
With sheltering umbrellas, Wonderfruit’s circular Eco Pavilion was created to respond to the needs of the activity it contains while integrating seamlessly into the landscape. Photos: Wonderfruit. While the U.S. has Burning Man and Coachella, Thailand has Wonderfruit, a pioneering festival that attracts more than 10,000 people to the lush hills west of Pattaya on […]
From train seat to handbag
September 1st, 2019
Made from reused leather train seats, batches five and six of the Amtrak collection of recycled leather goods include handbags, cardholders, sunglass cases, weekenders, totes, travel kits and backpacks. Photo: People for Urban Progress. Amtrak’s Acela Express trains, which offer comfort and upscale amenities for passengers along the northeast corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., […]
Partying in sustainable style: Cannes Film Festival
August 1st, 2019
The “after party” for the colorful, sustainable carpet used at a Cannes Film Festival event includes being reused before being recycled. The worn part will be regenerated, and the rest will be repurposed. Photos: Aquafil. Since 1998, Swiss jeweler Chopard has been an official partner of the Cannes Film Festival. The luxury house crafts the […]
Curtains that combat indoor air pollution
June 1st, 2019
The technology that enables IKEA curtains to purify the air can be applied to any textile. GUNRID curtains will be available in stores next year. Photos: ©Inter IKEA Systems B.V. As air pollution continues to be a serious issue, particularly in urban areas, the quality of indoor air is also a concern. The World Health […]
Organic cotton, happy vegetables
June 1st, 2019
Plastic bags retain too much moisture, causing vegetables stored in them to go bad more quickly. All-cotton Vejibags create just the right environment for fresh vegetables to thrive. Photo: Vejibag. Sometimes the old-fashioned way is best. That’s what Sally Erickson, founder of Vejibag, discovered when she looked for a way to keep vegetables fresh from […]