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Straws Made of Seaweed Could Replace Their Plastic Nemesis

Madison Dapcevich

March 14, 2019 |

EcoWatch |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

An innovative solution to the massive amount of plastic in our oceans is a new startup called Loliware. It produces 100% biodegradable straws "that look, feel, and act like plastic" but are actually made of seaweed. Not only do the straws decompose in a few weeks and are gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free, but the process of creating them sequesters carbon dioxide, which further increases their positive environmental impact.

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The manufacturing job of the future: clean, urban, and better paid

Ruth Reader

March 14, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Manufacturing takes on a whole new meaning as urban companies shift from tough industrial worksites to clean, friendly buildings with well-paid positions. One such site, piloted in Brooklyn's Navy Yard, aims to humanize the manufacturing process and de-stigmatize industrial work.

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This new recycling innovation could help fix our broken trash system

Adele Peters

March 08, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Haverhill, Ohio

A common type of plastic, Polypropylene, is usually “downcycled” - meaning it makes lower quality materials when recycled. A new innovation in recycling will allow it to be recycled into “virgin” material that is cost- and energy-effective and will have a broader range of uses, increasing the likelihood that plastic will end up in new material and not in a landfill. PureCycle Technologies has had such successful pre-sales that the first plant has 20 years worth of pre-orders.

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Cove launches the first 100% biodegradable water bottle

Dawn Hammon

March 07, 2019 |

Inhabitat |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Cove is a new water bottle brand hoping to disrupt dependence on single-use plastics. Cove is made of PHA, which is compostable and biodegradable. Still in its early stages, it hopes to manufacture across the U.S. to minimize distribution costs.

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Ikea's innovation lab unveils a plan to help people cash in on solar energy

Katharine Schwab

March 07, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Ikea's innovation lab, Space10, piloted a block-chain powered solar energy grid as a way to creatively save money on electricity and create a sustainable energy alternative. Other microgrids around the world have seen success in allowing people who are part of the system to sell their excess energy and only use what they need.

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Cities without sewers

Chelsea Wald

February 28, 2019 |

Rethink |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti, Cap-Haïtien

A nonprofit in Haiti called SOIL with a business arm called EkoLakay is bringing back the old-fashioned idea of a container-based sanitation system. Customers rent toilets with containers in them, use them, and return them to EkoLakay to then be converted into highly nutritious compost. Piloted in 2011, the program has been successful serving more than 1,000 households (growing by 40 every month) with a staff of 58 mostly local workers. They attribute their success to using "applied resilience thinking", having many actors at different levels, and constantly adapting to new solutions and knowledge.

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With no upfront costs, this innovative financing tool makes energy efficiency affordable to all

Nate Berg

February 26, 2019 |

Ensia |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Aulander, North Carolina

North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric Cooperative is helping members bring down energy costs. Because the energy costs in this area is due to a lack of energy efficiency, the cooperative offers tariffed on-billing to help homes offset expenses like insulation and new heat pumps. The tariffed on-billing uses federal loans to pay for said expenses, and then the customer pays the tariff charge in their bill – which ends up being lower because of the energy efficient upgrades.

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This spice company is building an ethically sourced supply chain

Ben Paynter

February 25, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A benefit corporation called Burlap & Barrel brings together social enterprise work with quality products through the ethical production and distribution of single-source spices. The founders of Burlap & Barrel learned from previous business attempts and ethical quarrels to form a passion project that focuses on the quality, not quantity, of the spices.

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San Diego startup launches new way for people to shop

Kalyna Astrinos

February 22, 2019 |

KGTV-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

A San Diego startup addresses the vicious debt cycle in America by creating a way for consumers to shop using credit without interest rates, credit checks or late penalties. The startup, called Zebit, acts as "sort of an Amazon for the under-served" and uses a simple sign-up that determines the amount of credit consumers receive for the site and allows shoppers to purchase with 6- to 12-month payment plans.

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Interested In Biking More, But Scared By Busy Streets? There's A New Kind Of Map For You

Ryan Warner

February 22, 2019 |

Colorado Public Radio |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

With community support from a network of neighborhood volunteers and financial support from a local business, the Bike Streets Project makes biking more accessible for those “interested, but concerned” about road safety. The Bike Streets Project maps bicycle routes in Denver with less congestion, specifically avoiding areas of high congestion or dangerous roads marked by “sharrows.”

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