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Green Archive
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Danish Hotel Proves Green Living Can Be Posh and Profitable
Posted on May 7, 2013 | No CommentsTracey M. Romero Given the title of The World’s Greenest Hotel by Skal International, Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers in Denmark strives to show that sustainable living is not only possible, but can be a four-star experience for the customer while still being profitable for the business. One of their missions is to offer their guests a “vacation with a clear conscience.” The key, of course, is implementing the right innovations. As the first Danish hotel to sign the U.N. Global Compact, which asks businesses to work with the United Nations... -
Shrinking the Footprint: Using Individual-Device Solar Chargers Effectively
Posted on April 2, 2013 | No CommentsBy Alison K. Lanier Even little changes can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the typical device user, or so says the popular thought of the green movement. With this in mind, it makes sense to attempt an approach at conservation when powering up the most consistently used of all these myriad power-guzzling devices, the cell phone. Solar chargers have been touted as a popular way to save power by voices like National Geographic and Alternative Energy, even in the days when solar power technology was far from an efficient... -
Students Take Charge of Renewable Energy Technology with Windfree
Posted on March 14, 2013 | No CommentsBy Rudy Tardin Many middle schools and high schools share similar outdoor features around campus. Grammar schools have playgrounds for the youngsters and high schools have track and fields. Both may have walking paths, basketball courts and eating areas, yet some Chicago-area schools have been adding different features to its campuses—wind turbines and solar panels visible on roofs and freestanding poles. However, these modern pieces of architecture have not come to fruition from the minds of progressive thinking school officials. These are student-developed projects. The company behind the installation of... -
Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: Portable Light Source Looks like an Open and Closed Book
Posted on March 5, 2013 | 1 CommentBy Linzy Novotny Working as an architect and industrial designer based in San Francisco, Cali., a designer has united form and function in the design of his Lumio lamp. With the portability and appearance of an open and closed book, the Lumio lamp “is a multi-purpose modern lamp that can be used almost anywhere,” according to Kickstarter, and designer Max Gunawan is asking for funding through Kickstarter to fund the manufacturing of his Lumio lamp. The lamp can be used as a table lamp, wall sconce, accent light, ceiling pendant,... -
Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: New LED Light Bulb Brings Energy Efficiency to a New Level
Posted on February 27, 2013 | No CommentsBy Linzy Novotny Traditional incandescent light bulbs have an average life span of 1,200 hours, while compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs, fair better lasting an average 8,000 hours, according to the Design Recycle Inc. website. Substantially surpassing both bulbs, LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours. Utilizing the LEDs longevity and low operating costs, Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger and Christian Yan of San Diego, Calif., developed the NanoLight and are asking for funding through Kickstarter. Touted as the “most energy efficient light bulb in the world,” the NanoLight improves upon... -
Crowdfunding Picks: Power Electronics with Additional Battery or the Sun
Posted on February 24, 2013 | No CommentsBy Linzy Novotny With as much as a person uses their smartphone and tablet, the devices can run out of battery life fairly quickly. To sort out this dilemma, two Kickstarter projects launched to help the person who is in need of an outlet without having one available. Kudos to You: A Family of Solar-Charging Products for the iPhone 5 and Select Tablets Designer and inventor David Foster of Orlando, Fla., has looked outside the box to bring us the Kudo range of solar products to provide additional power to... -
Which City will Win the Title of The Most Innovative City of 2012?
Posted on January 10, 2013 | No CommentsBy Melanie Appleby Which global city do you think houses some of the most innovative people? Citibank has collaborated with the Urban Land Institute or ULI and the Wall Street Journal in hosting an Internet poll asking readers to vote on the most innovative city. Initial contestants included 25 of the world’s most forward-thinking and creative metropolises—London, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin, Germany; Chicago, USA; Singapore; Hong Kong, China; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; Vienna, Austria; Vancouver, Canada; and Seattle, USA, among others. The ULI cited the criteria for being entered... -
![By Linzy Novotny A 2008 trip to Bali, Indonesia, prompted two travelers to team up with locals to craft shoes out of discarded motorbike tires. The duo, Faye Middleton and Kyle Parsons, founded Indosole in 2010 and they are now asking for funding through Kickstarter to produce 5,000 pairs of shoes for their 2013 spring/summer line, according to Kickstarter. “While [in Bali], [Middleton and Parsons] were struck by the amount of pollution on the island, and had the idea to partner with Balinese artisans to make footwear from discarded motorbike...](http://nvate.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tire-pile-175x120.jpg "Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: Got Sole? Shoe Company Upcycles Tires for Shoes’ Soles")
Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: Got Sole? Shoe Company Upcycles Tires for Shoes’ Soles
Posted on January 5, 2013 | No CommentsBy Linzy Novotny A 2008 trip to Bali, Indonesia, prompted two travelers to team up with locals to craft shoes out of discarded motorbike tires. The duo, Faye Middleton and Kyle Parsons, founded Indosole in 2010 and they are now asking for funding through Kickstarter to produce 5,000 pairs of shoes for their 2013 spring/summer line, according to Kickstarter. “While [in Bali], [Middleton and Parsons] were struck by the amount of pollution on the island, and had the idea to partner with Balinese artisans to make footwear from discarded motorbike... -
Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: Is it a Bag, a Backpack or Both?
Posted on December 17, 2012 | No Commentsby Linzy Novotny Designed in Frankfurt, Germany, the Notabag is a unisex, versatile bag that functions as a shopping bag and backpack. When not in use, it can easily be folded down and stored. Designer Adnan Alicusic, along with his friend Ilaria Gregianin, created the Notabag with form, function and sustainability in mind and with the help of funding through Kickstarter, the first line of Notabag will be available for purchase. “The idea came to me during a trip to the local farmers market,” Alicusic said on Kickstarter. “It was... -
Crowdfunding Pick of the Week: Ride in Style on a Bike made of Recycled Aluminum
Posted on December 10, 2012 | 1 Commentby Linzy Novotny What seems like three simple words—aluminum, rubber and plastic—produced a startup out of Los Angeles, Cali., that is working toward lessening waste and reducing carbon output. Bryce Edmonds started crafting ReCycle bicycles a few years ago and he uses 100 percent recycled aluminum. Now, he is asking for funding through Kickstarter to get his startup going, according to the project’s Kickstarter page. “Against so many odds, we’ve managed to create a head-turning bicycle made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, making it the greenest transportation option available anywhere,”...