There are so many fashion brands on the market making gorgeous vegan leather goods that are totally animal-free — but most of those brands use plastic-derived materials to achieve the look. However, a new brand out of Mexico called Desserto is shaking things up by turning nopal cactus leaves into organic, all-natural, cruelty-free leather. Desserto is the first cactus-based leather […]

Each day, an estimated 8 million pieces of plastic enter the world’s oceans. Interestingly, one of the main ways trash physically travels from land into the ocean is via rivers — in fact, The Ocean CleanupCEO Boyan Slat calls rivers “the arteries that carry waste from land to the ocean.” So for that reason, The Ocean Cleanup is working to […]

The topic of GMOs has become a hot-button issue in recent years. Having only existed for a few decades, there is still so much to learn about genetically modified organisms and how sustainable and safe they are for the planet, for people, and for animals. Read on for a breakdown of everything you need to know about the controversial topic, […]

The stresses of work often make us want to crawl under our desks. Now, one innovative firm is providing offices with a designated place to tune out the noise and find inner peace. Designed by New York-based firm ROOM, the Calm Booth, which is made out of 1,088 recycled plastic bottles, was created for companies that want to provide their […]

Now you can one-up your most eco-conscious friends. Instead of composting your straw after you finish your drink, now, you can just eat it. Stroodles, a new straw made out of pasta, solves the ethical straw problem. Made in Italy, the pasta straws are made out of only two ingredients: durum wheat and water. So vegans are in luck, but […]

In the chemical-production industry, energy-intensive processes are constantly being used to remove unwanted molecules from liquids. It now looks like much of that energy could be saved, however, by utilizing filters made from discarded plastic bottles. According to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), approximately 40 percent of the energy consumed in chemical plants is utilized […]

To better manage plastic waste, Los Angeles is in talks with Technisoil, an innovative manufacturing company, to viably incorporate plastic into the city’s roads. Typically viewed as an ecological scourge, plastic waste can also be seen as a valuable resource when repurposed. Substituting asphalt road materials with upcycled plastic waste could spell cost savings for both road construction and waste […]

Sometimes, a little hands-on education goes a very long way when it comes to instilling sustainable and healthy eating habits in children. Parents in New Jersey are rejoicing thanks to a refurbished bus that is on a mission to educate young students on a variety of food education issues, from better eating habits to urban gardening. Designed by Tessellate Studio, […]

Although some gardeners may be put off by the sight of ants on their flowers, a new study indicates that the insects can be very effective at protecting crops from diseases. It’s even being suggested that ant-derived antibiotics could be applied on a commercial scale. Ants live in crowded colonies where they’re constantly in close contact with one another, potentially […]

Thai company BeeConscious has created wraps from beeswax-coated cotton, that can stand in for cling film and other plastic packaging for food. The SuperBee wraps – which are nominated for a Dezeen Award in the homeware design category – are washable and reusable for up to two years. Beeswax acts as a natural antibacterial agent, while added coconut oil and […]