PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The Biomimicry Institute has chosen India’s GreenPod Labs and Germany’s Fusion Bionic as 2022’s top biomimicry startups, from a pool of over 200 applicants from 54 countries.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
We believe that increasing the accessibility of information and transparency of ingredients is critical to transforming the cleaning products industry. Tapping into consumer demands for sustainable and trustworthy cleaning supplies will also drive the clarity needed by manufacturers to better understand what is in their products.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
New study pinpoints Achilles’ heel for major PFAS classes — persistent chemicals linked to a host of adverse health effects — which causes the compounds to fall apart into benign products.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The Biomimicry Institute’s 2022 cohort of Ray of Hope Prize finalists are leveraging nature’s genius to revolutionize textiles, wind turbines, waste remediation, building materials, cleaning products, sunscreen, plastics and more.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The latest in a growing wave of circular textile innovations, the materials-science company and the global retailer have both launched collections that turn waste materials into new, colored textiles that require no dyeing.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
As part of Shaw’s sustain[HUMAN]ability® Leadership Recognition Program, VP of Global Sustainability and Innovation Kellie Ballew recently spoke with C2CPII
President and CEO Dr. Christina Raab about the evolving, interconnected nature of sustainability and the Institute’s work.
WASTE NOT -
After achieving a milestone in packaging recycling, Carbios’ unique biological recycling technology stands to fundamentally change the circularity of textiles.
BEHAVIOR CHANGE -
Lowering the washing temperature of a laundry load or dish cycle can greatly reduce carbon emissions. But for people to turn down the temperature or select eco-cycles, they must trust that products will still clean with brilliant results — this is where brands can play a crucial role in decarbonization.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
It’s that time of year, again — when we pore excitedly over Fast Company’s annual list of World-Changing Ideas. Here are a few of our favorites.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The GAF Cool Community Project will assess and mitigate the impacts of the urban heat island effect in landlocked and underserved cities — beginning with the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The startup estimates that wide-scale adoption of long-life, rechargeable batteries could save 126,350 metric tons of batteries from filling US landfills each year, with an immeasurable reduction in chemical leakage. But the industry has been slow to innovate to address its environmental impacts.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The Institute’s work includes education and cross-sector partnerships to reduce harmful chemicals in products. We spoke with Senior Scientist Tom Bruton, PhD to learn more about the organization’s history, cross-sector collaborative efforts and focus in the midst of a global pandemic.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
New platform from Break Free from Plastic explores the hardest-hit frontline communities in the world, from India to Ohio. After hearing each story, viewers can choose to view another location, or take actions designed to make local and global impact.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
As the traditionally male-dominated chemical industry becomes ever more inclusive, women in leadership roles are joining forces to create camaraderie,
mentorship and opportunities for professional and personal growth.
CLEANTECH -
Oxitec’s Friendly™ technology has created self-limiting versions of some of our most deadly and destructive insect pests — a safe, targeted solution that has the potential to protect human populations, food crops and livelihoods globally.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
In the textile industry, one area ripe for investment is making wet processing more sustainable. As with most pots of gold, it’s not without its challenges — but data indicate that the returns are well worth the effort. Investors keen to seize this nascent opportunity should consider three primary steps.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -
“Sustainability is best played together. It's validating to see what we started and see it grow first across the other teams in our plant, and eventually across Lubrizol.” — Kalli Stull
FROM PURPOSE TO ACTION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER -
Today, Dow considers its sustainability strategy and business strategy to be one and the same; employees understand that the two can no longer be separate. But, as Global Sustainability Director Haley Lowry explains, this didn’t happen overnight.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Shaw’s Tim Conway recently spoke with the Lab's director, Alison Mears, about how it is raising awareness about building material ingredients and educating the next generation of designers and architects.