Our unhealthy practices and way of living are truly harmful to the environment and have been slowly leading to its deterioration. And the world has been changing (for the worse) because of this. Hence, it is extremely important to live sustainably and consciously and to take care of the environment in 2023! Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. And we can do this in various ways. Designers and creators are coming up with sustainable alternatives for almost everything. Every product that is necessary and utilized by us in our everyday routine has 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 bicycle seat made from cork– we’ve curated a whole collection of sustainable product designs to help you go green.
1. Kreis Cup
Say hello to the Kreis Cup – a coffee cup that is sustainable, durable, and intended to enhance and improve your coffee-drinking experience. It is available in a cup and travel-mug style!
Why is it noteworthy?
It is heat resistant and designed to keep your coffee hot longer. That being said, the Kreis Cup is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you get at your local cafe or the breakable ceramic mugs you use at home.
What we like
- Made from spent coffee grounds
- You can smell the faint unmistakable scent of coffee from it!
What we dislike
- There is currently no scope for personalization
2. PLANETCARE 2.0
Did you know that 35% of the ocean’s microplastic problem comes from washing machines? Since the clothes we wear today are mostly a blend of synthetic fibers, these fibers mix with the water and make their way to the ocean. But this is where PLANETCARE 2.0 comes in with a microfiber filter attachment for your washing machine!
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Why is it noteworthy?
The PLANETCARE 2.0 is a nifty filter that can be snapped onto the side of your washing machine. It filters all the water the machine drains out after a cycle! It is the water equivalent of you sorting out your trash.
What we like
- Can be easily attached to your washing machine
- Catches all the microplastics from your washing machine’s drain water
What we dislike
- You may need to change/adjust the position of the filter to ensure adequate water pressure.
3. Wasteware Collection
Viennese designer Barbara Gollackner collaborated with Australian chef and restaurant owner Martin Kilga to create the ‘Wasteware’ collection, a range of tableware made using leftover food! The duo created a collection of bowls, plates, and cutlery using industrial and personal food waste.
Why is it noteworthy?
To bring the interesting tableware items to life, the studio utilized food waste such as pork skin, and old bread – from personal and industrial waste. The waste collected was dried out or cooked and then blended into a smooth paste which was held together using mycelium. Water or breadcrumbs were added to the mix if needed.
What we like
- Combats the issue of food wastage
- Colorful and vibrant aesthetics. They will add a spark of life to your dinner table
What we dislike
- Not sure how durable the products are, and what is their lifespan
4. Grovemade’s Hardwood Cups and Planters
Made the hard old school way in Grovemade’s Portland OR factory, the cups, planters, and dishes are carved from solid maple or walnut.
Why is it noteworthy?
The detailed pieces are hand-sanded and finished with a clear vegetable-based oil which highlights the natural warmth, elegance, and sheer beauty of the wood.
What we like
- Come in various metal and material options, so you can pick and choose
What we dislike
- Aesthetics are a bit unassuming and boring
5. SATURNO Lamp
This unique spherical lamp is heavily inspired by the planet Saturn and its beautiful rings. It borrows ideas from the planet’s morphology to build something fun, unique, and sustainable.
Why is it noteworthy?
The SATURNO lamp is actually made of three disc-shaped parts that connect without the use of any glue or screws. There are cutouts instead that allow the parts to be inserted into each other at perpendicular angles. Two are made from walnut wood, while the third is made from resin, which could be any sustainable kind.
What we like
- The LEDs can be controlled to showcase different colors and intensities
- A versatile lighting fixture that gives a glimpse of the heavens right inside your home
What we dislike
- The lamp won’t stand with its horizontal light mimicking the light scattered by Saturn’s rings unless it is provided with some support
6. Kara
Kara is a modular coffee machine that is designed to last forever, even when the manufacturer has stopped producing replacement parts!
Why is it noteworthy?
The secret is that these parts can be 3D printed if access to the original is no longer possible. The more technical components can be replaced or substituted with other electronics, presuming those are still in production.
What we like
- Unlike most designs that promote repairability, Kara doesn’t require advanced knowledge or skills to make that possible
- Sustainable design
What we dislike
- Bulky design that will occupy a lot of real estate in your kitchen
7. Earthmade Aromacup
The Earthmade Aromacup is a portable coffee cup made using Bamboo-O, an eco-friendly material that is made from bamboo fiber and plant starch.
Why is it noteworthy?
These travel coffee cups offer a significantly more sustainable option than typical silicone or thermal tumblers. More than just the materials and processes, however, the drinkware’s life continues even after it is no longer usable, at least not by humans.
What we like
- Portable and sustainable design
What we dislike
- There is no feature to allow for temperature retention of the coffee for those who like to keep their brew hot for long.
8. Oakwood MagSafe Collection
The Oakwood MagSafe collection utilizes the Apple MagSafe chargers to provide actual charging function and good-looking aesthetics as well. What they offer, instead, are solid and multi-functional bases that not only keep your iPhone or Apple Watch in place but also add some life to your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
With a mix of wood and matte aluminum materials, these stands and mounts look handsome on any motif you might have going for your desk, providing eye-catching ornaments without being distracting.
What we like
- The MagSafe charger they hold can be removed and used as normal
- Prevents more e-waste in the long run
What we dislike
- None of the accessories come with an Apple MagSafe charger
9. FR-1 Bike Saddle
This Scottish brand is one such company that wants to bring more sustainable solutions for the bikes and bike parts that they manufacture. Their first product is called FR-1 Bike Saddle and it is made from cork
Why is it noteworthy?
At first, you would think this is not a sturdy and comfortable material for something that you will be sitting on probably for a long period. But cork is actually pretty durable and lightweight so it should be something that can last a long time and not hurt your tushy that much. It is also water-resistant and can offer better cushioning compared to other materials.
What we like
- Stronger but also more lightweight compared to the more common steel that a lot of bike seats use
- Sustainable + supports historic local cork farming
What we dislike
- It is a bit expensive
10. Packioli
A Turkish designer was able to come up with soap packaging called Packioli that is both hygienic and non-plastic and therefore more eco-friendly. One thing missing from most similar products is convenience and she was able to add it to this as well.
Why is it noteworthy?
She used artichoke leaves and combined them with peapod bioplastics in order to create packaging that commercial soap brands can actually use if they really want to be more eco-conscious in creating their products.
What we like
- It not only solves getting rid of plastic for soaps but also helps get rid of artichoke waste, which is around 80% of the actual vegetable
What we dislike
- The look of the packaging is not similar to what we’re used to, with the labels and other colorful decorations, so may not be preferred by everyone
