Reusing Books

Paper may well be recyclable, but why recycle something when you can reuse something in a new creative way? After all recycling uses energy whereas reusing something could end up increasing its value. That is exactly the concept used here by design firm "Atelier Bom Design". They have taken old books and turned them into delicate lampshades and lighting, and at 325 euros a piece they certainly have added value!

Wayne

Print House Corporation

The FSC certified Print House Corporation in London is a company which focuses on solving and offering solutions to environmental issues relating to printing. They do this by:

- Printing on recycled paper and encouraging clients to do this, or use certified materials.

- Using printing presses powered by renewable energy, purchasing electricity on a 'renewable' tariff.

- Using print inks made from vegetable waste.

- Using alcohol free printing presses.

- Having all products delivered by hybrid couriers.

- Up to date presses meaning that less waste is produced in set up and production.

Website: http://www.printhouse.co.uk/company/
By Jordan

Eco Luggage/Totes

Designed by Russell Stephanchick this set of products are made our of recycled cardboard. The idea is that the when they become worn the user can put them back into the recycling system. This is a good concept for a set of products, however because of the nature of luggage and totes I don't think the materials are appropriate. Most people want things they would put into luggage or totes to be protected, and be able to withstand rain and so on, but these products may not last a very long time.

Website: http://russellstephanchick.com/graphic_design.php?p=2

By Jordan

Eco/Techno Polo Shirts

Eco-friendly packaging for Lacoste designed by Mind Design in collaboration with Tom Dixon. This is what Mind Design had to say about the project:
“In collaboration with Tom Dixon we worked on the branding and packaging for two very different types of polo shirts commissioned by Lacoste. The most eco-friendly way to package a shirt was not to print on the packaging at all but use embossing instead. For the techno polo we designed a speaking label that plays Tom’s voice at the push of a button – very techno.” 


I like the idea of embossing the text/design onto the packaging rather than using any ink at all, most eco-friendly packaging uses inks with less or no chemicals at all, this is a new way of looking at it and the embossed design would have no effects on the environment.


By Jordan

VerTerra Compostable Tableware

VerTerra is a sustainable single-use collection of plates and tableware. The collection was inspired by plates used at roadside stands in India. The unique tableware is created using only fallen palm leaves and water. Each piece is 100% compostable and can also be used in the microwave or freezer. All of the pieces can be thrown out into the garden if used or wanted and after around 60 days the product will completely compost.

http://www.verterra.com/

By Jordan

We Eco

WeEco is a design company that creates eco-friendly CD and DVD packaging solutions such as the CD WowWallet. WowWallet is made out of FSC accredited board and printed with vegetable based inks.

It is printed using lithographic print, such as in above image, weEco also offer short-run WowWallets which can be printed digitally or produced on brown, recycled stock with a die-cut window on the front panel which displays a printed booklet inside.

www.weeco.co.uk

By Jordan

Eco Christmas Tree

Australian graphic designers Buro North have created a plywood Christmas tree which is “80% more environmentally friendly” than a traditional fir or spruce tree. It comes flat-packed in a variety of three sizes and can be used year after year.

It is made with environmentally aware ingredients, they are CNC routered (a low-energy production technique) with waste material minimised by design, the flat-packed tree is emissions-efficient to transport and the most sustainable feature of the ‘Green’ tree is that you can use it for many Christmases to come.

Personally, I don't think the plywood tree will ever replace the traditional Christmas tree for the majority. There are many reasons I think this one being that apart from the shape the plywood tree looks nothing like a Christmas tree and has a much more cold feel about it. The concept is good and potentially could be a huge step towards helping the environment considering the waste produced by Christmas trees year on year. 


By Jordan