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Our unhealthy practices and lifestyle are really harmful to the environment and have slowly led to its deterioration. And the world has changed (for the worse) because of it. It is therefore extremely important to live sustainably and consciously in 2023 and to take care of the environment! Integrating sustainability into our daily lives has become crucial. And we can do that in different ways. Designers and creative people come up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. For every product we need and use in our everyday lives, there is an eco-friendly alternative to it. Replacing our usual mass produced designs with these greener options will make a huge difference to the environment and Mother Earth. From a Saturn-inspired sustainable lamp to a cork bike seat, we’ve put together a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green.
1. 3D printed seats
Designed by the Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design, these 3D printed chairs are made using additive manufacturing and do not require the use of fabrics, springs or foam! And they still manage to be super functional and comfortable. These chairs use rigid parts instead of the typical frames of chairs.
Why is it remarkable?
The design is simple enough with four legs, a circular seat and a single bar at the back. However, if you wish to add other components such as more frames or even textiles, these can also be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and when the end of life is reached you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle accordingly.
what we like
- Super easy to assemble and disassemble
- Sustainable design
What we don’t like
- No instructions for a space saving version of this design
2. Vis-à-vis and rendezvous
I have found that filling your bathroom with thoughtful designs only makes your time in it that much more comfortable and smooth. And this collection of bathroom seating from Italian bathroom brand Agape aspires to be just that! Designed by Marco Carini for Agape, the collection features two seat designs made from recycled cork.
Why is it remarkable?
The first design is called Vis-à-vis and is a light and sturdy stool that doubles as a small side table. The second design is Rendez-vous, a bench that serves as ample seating for bathroom users. Both designs function as comfortable places to sit and relax in the bathroom.
what we like
- Made from recycled cork
- The curved shape resembles someone smiling
What we don’t like
- Not suitable for bathrooms with a small footprint
3. The SATURNO lamp
Of all the planets in our neighborhood, Saturn has always enchanted our minds with its beautiful rings and has probably served as the muse for many lamp designs. This somewhat spherical lamp, for example, borrows some ideas from the morphology of the planet to create something unique, fun, eye-catching and sustainable at the same time.
Why is it remarkable?
The SATURNO lamp actually consists of three disc-shaped parts that are connected without glue or screws. Instead, there are recesses that allow the parts to be plugged into each other at right angles. Two are made from walnut wood while the third is made from resin which could be any sustainable species.
what we like
- SATURNO’s LEDs can be controlled to display different colors and different intensities
- A versatile light that brings a glimpse of the sky right into your home
What we don’t like
- The lamp will not stand with its horizontal light mimicking the light scattered by Saturn’s rings unless provided with some support
4. Plantd
North Carolina-based Plantd Materials has created a new material called Plantd. Made from processed perennial grass, the material is said to be lighter and stronger but absorb more carbon compared to traditional wooden boards.
Why is it remarkable?
The company says the material is a “mixture of fast-growing perennial grasses” that they hope will be used as an alternative to traditional oriented strand board (OSB). OBS is a plywood-like material used to clad floors and walls.
what we like
- An eco-friendly alternative to OBS
- Stronger and lighter than wood
What we don’t like
- Production of the material has not yet started
5. The district cup
Meet the Kreis Cup, a coffee mug that is sustainable, durable and designed to enhance your coffee drinking experience! Available as a mug and travel mug, the Kreis Cup is a reusable mug made from post-consumer coffee grounds and plant-based materials, free from petroleum-based plastics.
Why is it remarkable?
It is heat resistant and will keep your coffee hotter for longer. That being said, the Kreis mug is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you buy at your local coffee shop or the fragile ceramic mugs you use at home. At the end of its useful life, the Kreis Cup crumbles easily in the ground, leaving absolutely nothing behind.
what we like
- Made from spent coffee grounds that have been dried, treated and then suspended in a natural plant-based polymer
- Has the faint, distinctive scent of coffee
What we don’t like
- You cannot use the circle to drink tea, juice or anything else given the lingering coffee smell that comes out of these cups
6. USB-C AirPods Pro
Ken Pillonel, the engineer and YouTuber behind the world’s first USB-C iPhone and AirPods, just revealed upgrades for the AirPods Pro. Its custom build features a new 3D-printed case that can be opened and repaired (thanks to screws on the back), and a USB-C connector on the base instead of the traditional Lightning connector. However, Pillonel’s build isn’t just a one-off custom project. He has made his project open source and available to the public so pretty much anyone can update their own AirPods Pro
Why is it remarkable?
With this project, Pillonel is taking matters into their own hands by actually offering the charging module for sale on their website. You can even find schematics for 3D printing your own AirPods case in case you happen to break yours while prying it open.
what we like
It’s easy to open if you ever need to replace the battery inside
What we don’t like
- You need to 3D print your own module, which might be inconvenient for some
7. Rooted
At the London Design Festival 2022, Zena Holloway presented a fascinating collection of sculptures, products and wearables grown entirely from the ground up! The collection, called Rootfull, was presented at the inaugural edition of the Materials Matter design fair.
Why is it remarkable?
The collection includes a dress with a collar piece, other coral-inspired sculptural pieces, massive wall hangings and root-grown lamps with interesting coral textures. Holloway’s collection explores the possibilities and scope of root-grown textiles and how they can be used extensively in the future.
what we like
- Creating a new kind of sustainable material
What we don’t like
- The root-grown textiles may not be very comfortable to wear
8. The Bamboo Washing Machine
It does not require any additional water circuits and runs completely without electricity. Meet the bamboo washing machine, a clever, low-tech device that washes your clothes efficiently, without waste and emissions.
Why is it remarkable?
The machine, which won the Red Dot Design Concept Award, is made entirely of bamboo and plugs directly into a shallow riverbed, using river currents to spin the machine’s drum. The water running through the machine also helps to wash the dirt from the clothes, giving you a fully automated device that runs entirely on its own, utilizing the forces of nature and human ingenuity!
what we like
- Has zero waste and emissions
- Runs completely by itself
What we don’t like
9. FR-1 bike saddle
This Scottish brand is one of those companies looking to offer more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts they make. Their first product is called the FR-1 bicycle saddle and is made of cork
Why is it remarkable?
At first glance, you might think that this isn’t a sturdy and comfortable material for something you’re likely to sit on for a long time. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight, so it should be something that can last a long time and doesn’t hurt your butt that much. It is also water resistant and can provide better cushioning compared to other materials.
what we like
- Stronger but also lighter compared to the more common steel that many bike seats use
- Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming
What we don’t like
10.Zen
Evolving the trio of charging options, Zens – a recognized manufacturer of wireless chargers that enable freedom – has created a modular 4-in-1 wireless charger. Designed to power an iPhone, iPad, AirPods and Apple Watch simultaneously, the wireless charger is a sustainable and fast charging solution.
Why is it remarkable?
Since an organized desk is a dream for every systematized worker, this Zens charger can go a long way towards ensuring that. The idea of being able to charge all valuable Apple devices at once in one place leaves nothing to be desired. It also ensures order on the desk or bedside table. What more do you want? Before proceeding and responding with a “nothing”; The Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger, with its fancy antics, retails for $180 (more on alternative pricing options later).
what we like
- This modular charger is a practical solution for fast and fast charging of all your Apple devices
