In 2025, sustainability is no longer a luxury or a greenwashed afterthought—it’s a business imperative. Consumers around the world are making purchasing decisions based not just on price or style, but on how products are made, what they’re made of, and what happens after they’re used. Enter a wave of bold startups building circular, ethical, and regenerative models for everyday items—from sneakers and smartphones to menstrual pads and incense sticks.

Here are seven standout startups proving that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.

1. Akyn (UK) – Redefining Ethical Fashion: Founded by British designer Amy Powney, Akyn is more than a clothing label—it’s a quiet rebellion against fast fashion. Built on the principles of transparency, timelessness, and traceability, Akyn uses organic cotton, regenerative wool, and natural dyes. Every piece is designed to last beyond seasons, with full supply chain traceability back to the farm. As the UK rethinks fashion’s carbon footprint, Akyn leads with substance and style.

2. Rothy’s (USA) – Turning Bottles Into Ballet Flats: Based in San Francisco, Rothy’s is famous for transforming recycled plastic bottles into sleek, washable shoes and accessories. With 3D knitting technology that minimizes waste, Rothy’s has repurposed more than 179 million bottles and over 20,000 used shoes to date. Their latest push in 2025? Fully circular retail stores, where worn-out Rothy’s can be dropped off and reincarnated into new designs.

3. Fairphone is flipping the script on electronics with a modular smartphone that’s easy to repair, upgrade, and recycle. The Dutch startup sources fair-trade gold, conflict-free tin and tungsten, and recycled plastics. In a world awash in e-waste, Fairphone is leading the “right to repair” movement—and showing big tech how ethical hardware can still turn a profit.

4. LastObject (Denmark) – Saying Goodbye to Single-Use: Copenhagen-based LastObject produces reusable alternatives to everyday personal care items—cotton swabs, tissues, and even makeup pads. Their signature product, LastSwab, replaces 1,000 disposable Q-tips. The brand’s minimalist design and bold messaging have resonated with a new generation of climate-conscious consumers. It’s not just zero waste—it’s zero nonsense.

5. Bamboo India – A Green Toothbrush Revolution. Plastic toothbrushes are one of the most common items found in landfills. And the microplastics get into our bodies when we brush. Pune-based Bamboo India is changing that with biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, earbuds, and eco-gift items. What started as a small social initiative has become a household name across India, with a rapidly expanding global presence. Their mission: eliminate single-use plastic from your morning routine.

6. Nirmalaya (India) – From Temple Waste to Sacred Scents. Every day, Indian temples generate tons of floral waste. Nirmalaya saw an opportunity in the problem—transforming discarded flowers into incense sticks, essential oils, and organic colors. Based in Delhi, the startup combines tradition with innovation, tackling waste while preserving the spiritual significance of its raw materials. It’s an elegant fusion of circular design and cultural reverence.

7. Eco Femme (India) – Menstrual Health Meets Social Impact: In Tamil Nadu, Eco Femme is producing washable, organic cotton menstrual pads and distributing them through education-focused programs across rural India. This women-led social enterprise is helping reduce the mountains of plastic waste created by disposable pads—while empowering women and girls with dignity and information. Their pads have reached thousands, but their model is reaching minds.

These startups aren’t just selling products—they’re selling a new way to live. Each is proof that consumer goods can be high-quality, beautiful, and regenerative at the same time. From fashion and tech to wellness and waste, they’re building a future where sustainability isn’t a niche—it’s the norm. Now all of these are global products. Take an idea from this list and make it local.

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In the heart of Europe, quirky grassroots movements are turning everyday spaces into stages for creative climate action. From the steamy heat of Finnish saunas to the grassy lawns of Ghent, communities are blending tradition with innovation to tackle environmental issues. Imagine discussing decarbonization strategies while wrapped in a towel or racing snails to protest urban sprawl? These playful yet purposeful initiatives are sparking change and challenging us to rethink how we interact with our environment. Welcome to the new wave of eco-activism where you can participate locally and meet like-minds that feel globally.

The Climate-Fighting Saunas of Helsinki, Finland

In Helsinki, Finland, a city that we travelled to meet cleantech and loved, the traditional Finnish sauna is being reimagined as a hub for social innovation and environmental policy discussions. Communal saunas, such as the Kyro Sauna Bar, have become venues where locals gather to brainstorm and develop strategies for decarbonizing their neighborhoods. Finns meet in the sauna to discuss everything, including the economy. In fact, you can hear them talk about the cost of something in terms of “how many saunas”.

The Kyro Sauna Bar, as a pop-up bar/sauna, offers a relaxed setting where patrons can enjoy drinks in their bathrobes, fostering an atmosphere conducive to open dialogue and creative thinking.

This initiative leverages Finland’s deep-rooted sauna culture to address pressing climate issues, demonstrating how traditional practices can be adapted for modern challenges. ​

Goat-Led Urban Landscaping in Ghent and Kent and by Google

In Ghent, Belgium, an innovative approach to urban landscaping involves employed goats to manage overgrown vegetation in public spaces. This method utilizes the natural grazing habits of goats to clear invasive plants and maintain green areas. Goats are particularly effective in accessing difficult terrains and can consume a variety of plant species, making them ideal for ecological land management. We have done the same with chickens but they are harder to contain. 

The goat idea caught on in the UK where residents have an opportunity to “adopt a goat,” to create a sense of ownership and connection to local green spaces. This approach enhances biodiversity, promotes sustainable urban development, and serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about alternative land management practices and the importance of ecological balance in urban environments. Over in the US you can rent a goat for about the same purpose. And apparently Google does this too. ​

Snail Racing to Protest Urban Sprawl –– Ready, Steady, Slow!

In Provence, France, and also in places like Norfolk, UK, residents have devised a whimsical yet impactful method to protest against urban sprawl and the expansion of highways: snail racing events.

In France, participants bring their own snails, and the events are accompanied by local wine and cheese, fostering a festive community atmosphere. Signs with slogans like “Slow is Beautiful” emphasize the message. This form of protest draws attention to the environmental and social consequences of rapid urban expansion, encouraging policymakers and developers to prioritize sustainable and community-friendly planning.

The snail races have garnered media attention, highlighting the power of creative, grassroots activism in influencing public discourse and policy decisions. At some race locations in France those who don’t win make it into the cooking pot. Ouch. ​

Paris’s Guerrilla Commuter Choirs

In Paris, France, guerrilla commuter choirs are rumored to have emerged as a form of spontaneous musical activism within the city’s metro system. These secret choirs assemble during rush hours, performing songs that focus on climate change, environmental awareness, and the beauty of nature. (Riding the train in Europe is an ecological thing –– find out about the Techno trains, sauna trains and folk trains here).

Anyone can confirm this happening?​

Birdsong DJ Battles – Berlin, Germany

There are artistic initiatives in Berlin that blend music and nature to raise awareness about local bird species and environmental issues.​ For instance, the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin collaborated with techno DJ and ecologist Dominik Eulberg to create “biodiversity sound shows.” These performances combine electronic sounds with natural science, aiming to inspire audiences to appreciate and protect biodiversity. ​

Artists Janosch Becker and Hanna Komornitzyk have organized events like “To sing like a nightingale,” where they invite participants to explore urban spaces to listen to and learn about the songs of nightingales and skylarks in Berlin. These events highlight the presence of these birds in the city and encourage reflection on urban biodiversity. ​

In Berlin, Germany, can we imagine a future where the fusion of music and nature has given rise to Birdsong DJ Battles. Young DJs incorporate real-time birdsong samples into their sets, performing in community gardens and green spaces.  Residents gather to enjoy the music and vote for the best “eco-mix,” with winners awarded plots to grow their own food? ​

​The Bicycle Repair Raves – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Community and bike building: Located in Amsterdam Oost, Fietskliniek is a socially engaged bike workspace situated within the social-political center NieuwLand. They focus on recycling and repairing various types of bicycles using secondhand parts. The workspace offers DIY nights, allowing individuals to repair their bikes with provided tools and guidance. These sessions foster community involvement and promote sustainable practices. ​

The “Build Your Own Bike” program in Tel Aviv is a real and impactful initiative. Operated by Pnimeet, a community-focused organization, the program offers workshops where individuals can repair and construct their own bicycles. For an annual fee of 150 shekels, participants gain access to tools, spare parts, and guidance from volunteers, promoting sustainability by reducing waste and fostering a sense of community. ​

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I’ve been working for the Jerusalem Green Fund (JGF) for over 6 years. The JGF is a non for profit organization that focuses on sustainability in the greater Jerusalem area. Most of our activities lie within city limits, while others look regional as a biosphere. We are active in several different neighborhoods on a grassroots level, working with residents, schools and community organizations that are looking to live green, cleaner and healthier lives. 

I personally coordinate a Center for Sustainability in the Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Romema. Most people would say that is quite unique because that population typically gets a bad rap when it comes to environmental friendliness and that is because the families are large, on average 7.7 children per household and they use a lot of ‘one-time-use’ dishware, therefore producing a large amount of non-recyclable waste.

However, when taking a closer look at their day to day lives, you would notice that they use public transportation much more than owning private vehicles, because of their religious lifestyle they do not travel one and half days a week (no cars/buses/trains/planes) and they tend to have lending libraries which are called “gemachim” in Hebrew, which is an acronym for doing something charitable out of love and kindness –– and for just about every product you could imagine.

There are gemach’s for gowns for fancy occasions to chocolate molds, holy books to baby supplies –– the list goes on. This is characteristic of the Ultra-Orthodox community everywhere, not just in Jerusalem. Although it does not stem from an environmental value or need, but a financial one, surely it reduces consumption. 

Stereotypically, this population is very urban, living exclusively in apartment buildings, and therefore disconnected from nature. That is not to say that there are no individuals who are connected to nature, surely there are, but on a whole it is seen to be true.

It is rare to own a garden apartment and if someone has a porch garden they are very privileged. Striking examples of the disconnect include terrible littering in the public domain –– something which my center deals with a lot. We created a friendly-looking character called Tzachi Pachi (translates to Tzachi, a boy’s name, the garbage can) who is a green garbage can with ginger colored sideburns and a yarmulke who encourages children to throw out their waste correctly.

Ironically, this population is almost obsessed with aesthetics and style, however either in their own homes or themselves personally, and the public domain, which is looked upon as an ownerless space where control is not possible, remains messy and dirty.

I will say that the Mayor of Jerusalem, a modern religious man who received many Ultra-Orthodox votes, has cleaned up the city incredibly generally and specifically in these neighborhoods. I led a focus group of women residents where we mapped out the causes and solutions for keeping the streets and sidewalks clean, then presented it to the mayor’s staff. Those solutions were indeed adopted by the sanitation department, although the habits of people remain.

There is still much progress to be made with this subpopulation of Israeli society, but environmental awareness is on the rise. I have expanded my work beyond Romema and recently gathered a round-table of Ultra-Orthodox Jerusalemites to think in citywide terms. I hope it will bring more action and green ripple effects. 

::Jerusalem Green Fund

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We’ve all had that moment of feeling good about recycling—disposing of that coffee cup or takeout container thinking we’re doing our part. And we learn that most recycling never actually gets recycled. But, as with all good intentions, our optimism can sometimes be misguided. Some items we toss in the recycling bin, thinking we’re helping the environment, may in fact be hindering the process.

The reality is that not everything can be recycled, depending on where you are. Certain papers, glass, and plastics simply don’t make the cut. It’s essential to check with your local service provider for specifics, but here are some general offenders—and suggestions on what you can do instead.

Aerosol Cans
They may be made of metal, but the chemicals and propellants inside make these cans hazardous, so most recycling centers treat them as such.

Batteries
Batteries are another item best kept separate from regular trash and curbside recycling. Find a designated drop-off for proper disposal.

Brightly Dyed Paper
The intense dyes in colored papers behave just like that red sock in your white laundry—rendering the whole batch un-recyclable.

Ceramics and Pottery
Items like coffee mugs, while sturdy, are not recyclable. Try reusing them in the garden, where they can have a second life.

Diapers
It’s simply not cost-effective to recycle disposable diapers, which are a mix of paper and plastic. In some communities like in Canada, diapers are collected as compost and are shredded into a kind of compost. But just think of all the microplastics going back into the system. Buy reusable, cloth diapers instead.

Hazardous Waste
This includes things like household chemicals, motor oil, and antifreeze. Motor oil is recyclable, but be sure to handle it separately—your community likely has specific guidelines for hazardous waste.

Household Glass
While food containers like bottles and jars are recyclable, items like mirrors, light bulbs, and window panes aren’t suitable for the recycling bin. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can be recycled but should be disposed of carefully due to their mercury content.

Juice Boxes & Coated Cardboard Containers
Some newer models are recyclable, marked specifically for reprocessing, but many aren’t—especially those disposable coffee cups from your favorite café. They might look like paper cups but they are lined with plastic.

Medical Waste
Items like syringes and tubing fall into the biohazard category and should be disposed of through special channels.

Napkins & Paper Towels
These have absorbed too much residue to be recyclable, but you can compost them instead.

Pizza Boxes
The grease in pizza boxes makes them unsuitable for recycling. Some composting experts accept them, though others advise against it. Either way, it’s either the compost or trash.

Plastic Bags & Plastic Wrap
These are notorious for clogging recycling machinery, but they can often be reused or returned to your grocery store for proper recycling. Look for bioplastics made from algae or sugarcane.

Plastic-Coated Boxes & Non-recyclable Plastics
Plastic-coated containers and certain plastics without recycling marks can’t be processed by most systems. Dispose of them properly.

Plastic Screw-On Tops
Though your plastic bottle might be recyclable, small plastic caps aren’t—dispose of these separately, and remember, they can be a choking hazard.

Shredded Paper
Shredded paper is tough to recycle, as it’s hard for facilities to identify the type of paper. Compost it, or use it in your garden as mulch.

Styrofoam
Check if your community has a special facility for Styrofoam recycling—otherwise, it’s trash.

Takeout Containers
Plastic containers can be recycled if properly cleaned. Oily residue left behind makes them unrecyclable, so rinse them thoroughly before tossing them in the bin.

Tires
Tires require separate disposal, often with a fee collected at the point of sale.

Tyvek Shipping Envelopes
These are often made of non-recyclable material. Find alternative ways to reuse or dispose of them properly.

Wet Paper
Waterlogged paper is a no-go in most recycling systems. The fibers become damaged, leading to contamination risks.

Wire Hangers
Most recycling centers don’t handle wire. Take them back to your dry cleaner, who will likely be happy to reuse them.

Yogurt Cups
Plastics with recycling numbers three through seven are often not accepted by most systems, including those yogurt cups and other food containers.

Every community’s recycling system has its own set of guidelines, and some may be stricter than others. It’s always worth checking in with your local service provider for clarity, and many municipal programs are happy to provide written instructions. If you find that your local system doesn’t handle an item reach out to your local eco NGOs to get something started – maybe a new business opportunity, like ReNuble.

Recycling may seem simple, but it’s a process that demands our care. When in doubt, don’t just recycle—reuse, repurpose, and give the earth a second chance to breathe.

The post A list of 23 things you can never recyle appeared first on Green Prophet.

As sustainability becomes a priority for consumers and businesses alike, real estate and property managers have a unique opportunity to highlight their environmental efforts. 

Whether it’s reducing energy consumption, improving waste management, or adopting green construction practices, showcasing sustainability efforts can attract eco-conscious tenants, boost the building’s reputation, and drive engagement. 

One platform that can streamline this process is resustain.com, a solution that enables real estate professionals to manage and promote sustainable initiatives effectively. 

Leveraging social media amplifies these efforts, reaching a broader audience with the power to engage, educate, and inspire.

Why Social Media Matters for Sustainability in Real Estate

Social media channels provide a powerful way to communicate your building’s sustainable practices to a diverse audience.

With billions of users across platforms, social media is ideal for storytelling, visual content, and real-time updates, making it perfect for highlighting sustainability. 

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even TikTok can attract followers interested in eco-friendly practices and green building initiatives.

Social media allows you to:

• Connect directly with potential and existing tenants.
• Showcase certifications (such as LEED or ENERGY STAR) and achievements.
• Educate the public about sustainable practices.
• Share real-time updates on improvements and achievements.

Building a Compelling Social Media Strategy

1. Define Your Sustainability Story

Before you start posting, clarify the key sustainable features and practices of your building. Your story might revolve around reduced energy usage, solar panel installation, or smart water management. The aim is to create a cohesive narrative that resonates with your audience. Think about questions like:

• What sets your building apart in terms of sustainability?
• What impact have your sustainability efforts made on the local community?
• How are tenants benefiting from a greener building?

Clearly defining these points will give your audience a reason to care and follow your journey.

2. Utilize Visual Content

People respond best to visual content, making platforms like Instagram and Facebook ideal for showcasing sustainable efforts. Share photos and videos of:

• Renewable energy installations (like solar panels).
• Green spaces around your building, such as gardens or green roofs.
• Energy-efficient lighting or other green technologies in use.
• Recycling initiatives or eco-friendly amenities.

To enhance engagement, consider using infographics that detail your environmental impact or the journey towards sustainability milestones.

3. Involve Your Audience

One of the best ways to boost engagement is by involving your audience. Encourage tenants or visitors to participate in sustainable practices and share their contributions on social media. For instance, you could:

• Launch a monthly photo contest encouraging tenants to share sustainable lifestyle tips.
• Share behind-the-scenes tours of sustainable initiatives, like recycling processes or energy-efficient systems, through live videos or stories.
• Hold Q&A sessions with experts or green team members to answer sustainability questions via interactive avatars.

This type of content not only promotes awareness but also strengthens community ties and encourages sustainable habits among tenants.

4. Promote Eco-Friendly Certifications and Achievements

If your building holds any green certifications or has received awards for its eco-friendliness, showcase them proudly. Certifications such as LEED, ENERGY STAR, or WELL are highly regarded in the industry and serve as excellent social proof. You could:

• Create a post series explaining what each certification means and the standards it represents.
• Share a video of the certification ceremony or event.
• Highlight key metrics achieved, such as energy reduction percentages, water savings, or recycling success rates.

Such posts add credibility to your sustainability story and help followers understand the significance of your efforts.

5. Feature Tenant Success Stories

Incorporate tenant testimonials or stories that emphasize the benefits they experience from a sustainable building. 

For instance, a tenant might appreciate the reduction in their utility bills due to energy-efficient systems or the wellness benefits from improved indoor air quality. This personal approach helps potential tenants envision the positive impact of eco-friendly buildings on their own lives.

Creating short interview clips, sharing quotes, or writing mini-case studies can add a human element to your social media content, making it relatable and engaging.

6. Share Educational Content

Educating your followers about sustainability topics strengthens your brand’s reputation as a leader in green practices. Share tips, best practices, and updates related to sustainability. For example:

• Post weekly eco-tips that tenants can adopt at home.
• Share news articles or research studies related to green building benefits.
• Collaborate with environmental organizations to broaden your reach and share expertise.

Educational content builds trust with your audience and can position your building as a thought leader in sustainable practices.

Metrics to Track Success

Tracking the success of your social media efforts helps you understand what resonates with your audience and refine your strategy. Key metrics to monitor include:

• Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares).
• Follower growth on each platform.
• Click-through rates to your website or sustainable initiative landing pages.
• Mentions and shares by tenants or environmental organizations.

Analyzing these metrics will help you identify the type of content your audience engages with most, allowing you to adapt and optimize future posts.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world you need essential online tools for sharing your building’s sustainability journey. With strategic content planning, you can showcase your commitment to the environment, involve your tenants, and inspire others to join the movement. Start today, and watch as your green building gains followers, boosts tenant satisfaction, and strengthens its place as a leader in sustainable living.

The post Leveraging Social Media to Showcase Your Building’s Sustainability appeared first on Green Prophet.

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword. It’s a way of running a company in a way that privileges the planet’s future. Whether your company is big or small, climate change will affect everyone, and with resources depleting and temperatures rising it’s more important than ever for businesses across all industries to adopt sustainable practices. Large corporations typically will have entire divisions devoted to sustainability action plans, so as a small business, it might seem daunting to balance resources and labour to make your business more sustainable. 

With the right implementation, sustainability is not only possible but also practical and beneficial for the long-term success of your company. This article will have a look at why sustainability matters, address challenges for small businesses and make practical tips for recommendations on what you can do to directly implement sustainable practices that’ll help your business and carbon footprint.

Practical Tips for Sustainability

Luckily, it’s not “all-or-nothing” for sustainability. Small changes that can be made in a business week that are equal parts sustainable and manageable can make a massive difference to how your company operates and how it looks to business partners.

Switch to Eco-Friendly Packaging and Supplies

Using sustainable packaging for your products is a great way to signal to customers that you’re taking steps to be sustainable. This can include using paper-based materials or compostable packaging to minimise plastic use. If your business relies on deliveries, this can make a significant difference to your overall sustainability for a small increase in packaging costs. 

Many customers are willing to pay a little extra for products that are packaged sustainably because more and more people are voting with their wallets when it comes to going green. Consulting giant PWC found that consumers are willing to spend more on sustainably produced goods to be more sustainable, so saving the planet might save your bottom line, too!

In terms of office supplies, using biodegradable lanyards for your employees is an easy way to switch to eco-friendly materials and reduce waste, as the standard plastic used takes centuries to break down in landfills, not to mention novel concerns about microplastics.

Partner with Local Sustainability Initiatives

Another practical change is supporting initiatives through the local community. The major advantage small businesses have over larger corporations is being able to forge and maintain strong bonds with individuals and local organisations through partnering with local sustainability initiatives. Things like local cleanups, tree planting, or community gardening days can all be great ways to get to know people who are interested in helping the planet and can demonstrate genuine commitment to the cause. 

Greenwashing is something to look out for. Defined by the clean energy regulator as when “a company makes itself, its products or services seem more environmentally friendly, sustainable or ethical than they are.” Big corporations are constantly being called out for greenwashing, so getting into grassroots movements can be a surefire way to signal that you are genuine about making your small business sustainable, and customers are sure to follow.

Why Sustainability Matters

Sustainability, at its core, is about longevity. The planet is in a state of disrepair as a direct result of our actions since the Industrial Revolution, so it’s our job to help fix the problems that we have inherited and continue to create. After all, profit margins and salaries mean nothing if there’s nowhere left to spend the money. Modern consumers are increasingly aware of how brands prioritise the environment and are also not afraid to blast brands that greenwash on social media. Being genuinely sustainable means attracting more loyal customers and enhancing your brand’s relationship with consumers. 

Sustainable practices also make sense from a long-term cost standpoint. Sure, upgrading to LEDs can be costly in the short term, but over time the savings on your electricity bill more than make up for this upgrade expense. It can also help to get ahead of regulatory pressure – depending on where you’re operating, it may only be a matter of time before many environmental regulations become mandatory and your upgrades haven’t been priced into the current financial year.

Barriers to Change for Small Businesses

It’s important to take a step back and acknowledge the issues with making these changes for small businesses. Unlike corporations, capital is limited, and making choices that don’t lead to short-term gains can be unpopular, especially if your funding is limited to a handful of investors who may have a larger say in what happens to their money. Sole traders and small partnerships also suffer from wearing many hats in their roles: despite a company owner being a veteran in their field, marketing or customer service may not be their strong suit and these are both important aspects of how to “sell” your move to sustainable practices. 

None of this is cheap, either. Being certified by third-party green companies is a cost with no immediate return. Switching suppliers can be time-consuming and difficult, and may result in a less favourable contract, with the benefits only being evident in the long run. As a result, it can feel like an impossible task to take on all of these roles and challenges and come away as a successful, sustainable business. On top of all of this, it can seem like an uphill battle against corporations with stacks of cash to throw at their latest eco-friendly venture, but it’s important to remember that some of the best changes that you can make are in one-on-one interactions with local customers. 

At the end of the day, the corporation is a faceless entity, and you are not. Every change you make can directly affect your community and how people in it view your company, so changes can be magnitudes more effective for this reason. Making small, manageable changes can be a great way to begin making impacts over time, and your efforts are sure to be noticed if they are done earnestly. Sustainability comes with its own set of challenges, but it opens up a slew of opportunities for growth and engagement. You can lead by example and change consumer hearts and minds, one sustainable choice at a time.

The post Sustainable Small Biz: Practical Businesses Can Prioritize the Environment appeared first on Green Prophet.

Can a garbage collecting robot find me a pile of money in a mattress? Can it spare real-life sorters from the dangers of e-waste? Will they take over jobs and a way of life?

Plenty of people the world over rely on livelihoods out of sorting trash. My father did it for years. And I joke to a lot of people that he found me at the side of the road. But the same people and children who pick through trash are also exposed to an overload of toxic chemicals and e-waste. My dad was always burning out the plastics on the copper wire he found and I believe it contributed to the cancer he succumbed to.

Today’s robots can already be programmed to accurately recognize many objects through vision and touch. Tactile information, obtained through sensors, along with machine learning algorithms, enables robots to identify objects previously handled.

But sensing is often confused when presented with objects similar in size and shape, or objects unknown to the robot. Other factors restrictive to robot perception include background noise and the same type of object with different shapes and sizes.

In Applied Physics Reviews, researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China worked to break through the difficulties of robotic recognition of various common, yet complex, items.

Humans possess many different types of touch sensing, one of which is temperature: cold metal, warm wood. The researchers aimed to mimic this ability by designing a robotic tactile sensing method that incorporated thermal sensations for more robust and accurate object detection.

The Chinese team created a layered sensor with material detection at the surface and pressure sensitivity at the bottom, with a porous middle layer sensitive to thermal changes. They paired this sensor with an efficient cascade classification algorithm that rules out object types in order, from easy to hard, starting with simple categories like empty cartons before moving on to orange peels or scraps of cloth.

To test the capabilities of their method, the team created an intelligent robot tactile system to sort garbage. The robot picked up a range of common trash items, including empty cartons, bread scraps, plastic bags, plastic bottles, napkins, sponges, orange peels, and expired drugs.

It sorted the trash into separate containers for recyclables, food scraps, hazardous waste, and other waste. Their system achieved a classification accuracy of 98.85% in recognizing diverse garbage objects not encountered previously. This successful garbage sorting behavior could greatly reduce human labor in real-life scenarios where so much goodness goes to landfill.

Can you train the robot hands to find a pile of money in a mattress or gold hidden in an old shoe? We will keep an eye out for this one but also be mindful of trash sorting communities in the world that depend on upycyling.

Well known trash sorting communities in the world include:

The Zabbaleen (Cairo, Egypt):  The Zabbaleen are informal Christian garbage collectors who recycle a significant portion of Cairo’s waste. They have developed an efficient system using pigs too! that sorts and repurposes materials from household waste, making them a critical part of the city’s waste management.

The Catadores (Brazil) are cooperative groups of waste pickers who collect and recycle materials from urban waste. They play a vital role in Brazil’s recycling efforts and have helped formalize the recycling sector. Several movies have been made about the importance of garbage collecting for these people.

The Zero Waste Town (Kamikatsu, Japan) has committed to becoming a zero-waste town by implementing extensive sorting practices. Residents separate waste into 45 different categories to maximize recycling and composting.

The Dharavi (Mumbai, India) is one of Asia’s largest slums but it is a hub for recycling and waste management. Small-scale industries in Dharavi recycle plastics, metals, and other materials, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s waste reduction.

The post Will these trash sorting robots make zero waste our future? appeared first on Green Prophet.

The world is growing more and more concerned about carbon footprint, climate change and the very real challenges that come with them.

In the past, people used to talk about climate change as a faraway problem,  for future genrations. But with the seas currently rising, storms more frequent and violent, and temperatures soaring at record highs, the problem is undeniably at our doorsteps. And the time to act is now.

One of the biggest ways to combat climate change and contribute to a greener planet is by cutting carbon emissions – the more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the worse the ‘greenhouse effect’ is on our planet. And one of the most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint is by saving as much energy as possible.

Here are 11 to incorporate green living into your everyday life and do your bit for the environment.

Use energy-efficient appliances

There are many reasons to invest in energy-efficient appliances. The first, of course, is by not using more energy than necessary to power the appliance, less fuel needs to be burnt up to create that energy, so less carbon dioxide gets released into the atmosphere.

The second is that not only do you save energy, but you’ll save money at the same time.

For example, a clunky old boiler will need to work harder to heat your home, whereas a new, A-rated energy-efficient boiler will use less energy to heat the same area.

Opt for LED Lighting

Alongside energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient lighting can also go a long way in helping to cut carbon emissions.

LED bulbs use far less energy than their incandescent and fluorescent cousins to produce the same amount of light. Not only that, but they last lots longer, too.

Power down and unplug

Putting your computer in sleep mode might feel like a time-saving hack, but it’s actually wasting more energy than you realise. In fact, many electric appliances in your home, like your TV, use small amounts of energy while plugged in and switched on at the mains, even if the device itself is switched off.

Make sure when you’re not using something that you switch it completely off and switch it off at the mains for good measure, especially at the end of each day.

Use smart thermostats

Smart thermostats let you control the heating in your home from wherever you are using a handy app. So instead of worrying about if you’ve left the heating on at home when you’ve already left for work, or don’t want to come back to a chilly home after a long day, you can create a schedule or manually switch the heating on and off from your phone.

Make sure you have proper insulation

Draughty doors and windows work against you to keep the heat in during the winter, and keep the heat out during the summer. This makes your heating system work harder to warm up your living space when it’s cold outside, and your air conditioning system or fans have to run for longer to cool your space down in the summer.

Putting an old scarf at the bottom of a draughty door can help block it, and draught strips dor both doors and windows can be bought online and are relatively inexpensive.

Because heat rises, it’s important to make sure your loft is properly insulated too, so that your home doesn’t lose too much heat through the roof.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Everyone should be following the above ‘3 Rs of the environment’ to combat overconsumption This cuts the need for the production of new items, which all use up a lot of energy in the manufacturing process.

Use sustainable transportation

It’s no secret that gas-guzzling vehicles are one of the culprits of climate change. But while most of us aren’t likely to hop on a private jet or board a giant cruise ship every day, many of us do have the option to leave our cars at home more often and take the bus or train instead.

The UK government’s transport decarbonisation plan aims to decarbonise all forms of domestic transport by 2050, including reducing domestic aviation and rail to net zero carbon emissions.

Be conscious of your water usage

You probably already know how important it is to conserve water. But did you know that water also contributes to carbon emissions?

Water usually needs to be treated before we use it, and then afterwards before it’s returned to the environment. These treatment processes all contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases – so the more water used, the more emissions are generated.

Use renewable energy sources

If you’re fortunate enough to afford the initial outlay, solar panels are a great way of generating your own renewable energy at home. If not, some energy firms offer green energy tariffs, and supply energy generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar power.

Support businesses that support eco-initiatives

Businesses have a massive part to play in helping to save the environment. And more and more are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint by taking part in green initiatives in their day-to-day business, for example supporting tree planting initiatives.

Utility Warehouse’s tree-planting initiative sees a tree planted for each new customer who bundles three or more services with them. The ever-growing UW Woodland is located on Bryn Arw in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Go paperless with bills

As well as planting trees, it’s also important to save them, too, so they can continue to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And, of course, once trees are cut down they need to be processed – resulting in yet more emissions.

A multiservice company, Utility Warehouse (UW) makes it easy to switch to paperless bills, which can then be viewed in your online account or in the UW app.

The biggest players in cutting carbon emissions are the big companies of the world. But individuals can do their part, too. And by making at least some of these practical steps a habit in daily life, we can all work together to reduce our carbon footprint, and take steps towards a more eco-friendly world.

The post Green Living 101: Practical Ways to Cut Carbon and Save Energy appeared first on Green Prophet.

Online shopping has become increasingly popular, with platforms like Amazon offering convenience and a wide range of products at our fingertips. However, as conscious consumers, it is important to shop mindfully and consider the ethical and sustainable aspects of our purchases. 

Why to shop mindfully

The rapid production of clothing in the fast fashion industry requires a substantial amount of raw materials, leading to a considerable accumulation of waste, pollution, and harm to the environment, including air, water, and wildlife habitats.

Research the Seller:

Before making a purchase, take the time to research the seller. Look for information regarding their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Check if they have certifications like Fair Trade, Organic, or B Corp, which indicate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The Butterfly Mark is a new certification for luxury goods. Or maybe they are running a small business from home making the goods locally. 

Consider Product Origins:

When browsing products on Amazon, pay attention to where they are manufactured or sourced from. Search for products that are locally produced or made in countries with strong environmental and labor regulations. Choosing products that minimize long-distance transportation helps reduce carbon emissions and supports local economies.

Read Product Descriptions:

Carefully read product descriptions to gain insights into the materials used, manufacturing processes, and any sustainability claims. Look for keywords like “recycled,” “organic,” “sustainably sourced,” or “eco-friendly.” Also look for ways they back up these claims without greenwashing.

Check for Sustainable Packaging:

Packaging waste is a substantial environmental concern. Look for products that are shipped with minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials. Some sellers offer sustainable packaging options, such as biodegradable or compostable packaging. Consider consolidating orders to reduce the number of individual packages and minimize waste.

Evaluate Product Durability and Quality:

Mindful shopping involves considering how long the products will last as well as the quality of products. Choose items that are built to last, reducing the need for replacements. Read customer reviews to understand the durability and reliability of the product. Investing in higher-quality items not only reduces waste but also saves money in the long run. 

Support Socially Responsible Brands:

Support brands that prioritize social responsibility and treat their workers fairly. Look for companies that follow ethical labor practices, provide safe working conditions, and pay fair wages. Look out for  sellers on Amazon that explicitly mention their commitment to social causes or fair trade practices in their product descriptions.

Utilize Amazon’s Sustainability Features:

Amazon has implemented sustainability initiatives, such as its “Climate Pledge Friendly” program and “Compact by Design” certification. These labels identify products that have lower carbon footprints and are designed to be more efficient in terms of packaging and shipping. Take advantage of these features to find more sustainable options.

The post Shopping Mindfully on Amazon appeared first on Green Prophet.

This time of year with kids returning to school, many go on shopping spree spending lots of money on branded notebooks, agendas, and bags.

But why not for a craft and green option for a pencil case?

I’m all for using a reusable personal water bottle filled with tap water, but there are still plenty disposable plastic bottles around, so here is the step by step tutorial how to upcycle it to a cool pencil case!

Crafting has many benefits, in this case not only you are making your own personalised creation – using a water bottle allows for additional benefit: it’s transparent so you can easily see what’s inside your case. See below for instructions.

Tools and materials

– Small water bottle
– Decorating materials of your choice: markers, stickers, fabric left overs, etc.
– Zipper matching the bottle’s diameter (20cm length would do )
– Craft Glue UHU or similar
– Cutting knife
– Scissors

Step 1.
Remove all tags / stickers from the bottle, make sure it is clean & dry.

Step 2.
Decorate the bottle.
Use permanent markers, stickers or cut-out, colourful bands, write your name – whatever you feel like!
Keep a clear undecorated strip at the bottom of the bottle.

Step 3.
Glue the zipper around the bottom (undecorated) strip of the bottle.
Wait till the glue is completely dry.

Step 4. Adults assistance required
Open the zipper, place the cutting knife between the zipper’s teeth and cut through the bottle.
You may switch to scissors at this point if more comfortable, in any case keep cutting till the bottle is cut all around.

That’s it – you pencil case is ready to use.You can make more cases, for your coloured pencils or crayons keeping your work space nice and organised this way.

Have a successful and green back -to – school!

This post is brought to you by Aya Tager, of AyaKaya Sustainable Design

The post Turn Disposable Water Bottle into Pencil Case: Upcycling Tutorial appeared first on Green Prophet.