Though there were environmentally friendly computers, light bulbs and cell phones on display at the recent EcoFocus event, which primarily highlighted greener technology, some of the lower tech developments stole the show. Examples ranged from jewelry made from old bicycle parts to soft fabrics in shirts, dresses, and blankets made from recycled plastic water bottles.
“From the bottle we have to go through a cleaning process, and then we cut into the flakes, and then from the flakes we’ll melt and make into plastic chips. Then the chips go through a spinning machine to spin yarn and make into fabric,” says Margaret Feng of Recycle Movement.
Unlike water bottles, Styrofoam cups aren't breaking onto the fashion scene, but developers at New Wincup Holdings have invented a cup with a special additive that allows them to biodegrade much faster than any other Styrofoam cup out there.
“In 90 days, the cup is degraded, in active landfill conditions, 11.5 percent. So on the fast track, that cup would biodegrade in about 2.25 years versus a cup today that would hang out in a landfill for 10 to 20 years," says Fran Alexay of New Wincup Holdings.
Finally, even a new breed of globes is highlighting the benefits of using less energy. Called Mova Globes, designers say they aim to give people a relaxing way to contemplate the future.
“These things are powered by light and also derive their torque from the earth's magnetic field so they live, if you will, on ambient energy, ambient fields. And you can look at them and imagine a future where things use less energy and are more peaceful and don't need batteries and power cords and things like that,” says Bill French of TurtleTech Design.
Mova Globes also feature a design that allows customers to cover globes with family photos and other images to help build motivation towards improving the planet.
