Circular Economy
Genomatica Swaps Petroleum for Sugar to Make Building Block for Plastic
Chemical company Genomatica has engineered a microorganism that can turn sugar in a raw material for making plastic and rubber industrial and consumer products. Read More
Extended Producer Responsibility and the E-Waste Problem
A growing number of companies are taking on greater levels of responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products -- from point of manufacturing through to end of the life recycling. E-waste recycling is taking off, but obstacles remain to its widespread practice in North America. Read More
HP Reduces Laptop Packaging 97 Percent for Wal-Mart
An HP laptop bundle exclusive to Wal-Mart minimizes packaging down to a couple plastic bags. Read More
Tragedy of the Commons
Product development has always operated at the intersection of business, technology, and people. Now, it is time to add one more factor to the equation: the environment. Read More
Waste Drywall Finds New Life As Gypsum Products
USA Gypsum has added a new product to its line of gypsum made from recycled drywall waste. Read More
Aveda Launches Nationwide Bottle Cap Recycling Program
Beauty products company Aveda is taking its bottle cap recycling program nationwide, collecting plastic bottle caps to turn into new caps. Read More
Cintas Switches to Cleaner Detergent
Uniform suppler Cintas is transitioning all of its washing facilities to use detergent that biodegrades faster and has less impact on the environment than its previous detergent. Read More
A-B-C-Design: Engaging the Whole Company in Developing Sustainable Products
Given the sheer number of items we purchase, use and throw away every year, it's no surprise that consumer products are the ultimate drivers of carbon emissions. As a result product design is a critical component for companies seeking to address climate change. Read More
PSE&G Partners With Four N.J. Cities to Test LED Street Lights
The six- to 12-month tests involving 24 LED street lights place the Public Service Electric and Gas Company and the cities in which the tests are being conducted among a small but growing number of municipalities and utilities that are exploring application of LED technology to green public lighting. Read More
Mazda Developing Bioplastics for Bumpers and Dashboards
The automaker has joined Hiroshima University and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology for the "Mazda Bioplastic Project." Read More