KeepGreenGoing

Rapanui Clothing is an organic and sustainable clothing company based on the Isle of Wight, using organic, natural and ethical fabrics coupled with their response to climate change (using factories with their own wind and solar panels, biodiesel vans and carbon offset warehousing), Rapanui has a fair claim to being one of the greenest clothing companies on the planet… and that’s on its product’s credentials alone.

Set up by surfing brothers Rob and Mart Drake-Knight, 23 and 21 respectively, the brothers were motivated to influence environmental change after becoming ill from surfing in polluted waters. Mart wears scars from a skin infection caused by pollution; Rob spent three days of a holiday in France in bed due to sickness caused by field run-off. Added to these personal issues, Mart’s studies in the field of Renewable Energy engineering gave the brothers insight into the convergence of crisis our planet is facing. They felt they wanted to make a difference.

Rapanui is the vehicle of this inspiration; garments are manufactured in Fairwear Foundation audited factories - ensuring that at every stage of the garment manufacturing process workers are guaranteed a fair deal. Their products are also undergoing license for fair trade. Read on»

Often, the green community enjoys discussing tips on going green, new green products out on the market and companies that are making a green impact. Today’s article speaks more on a humanitarian level. It speaks about making a difference in a community through a simple, practical device. Sometimes, the first step for people to go green requires them to be enabled through a simple solution.

The Hippo Roller, from Project H Design, does just that. It frees up people’s time for more productive economic activities.

The Hippo Roller is a simple rolling barrel device that allows communities that depend on the daily fetching of water to more easily access and transport their daily water supply, and reduce the risk of long-term bodily injuries. The roller holds 3-4 days worth of water for a family of 7, which is 5 times the amount of water that can be moved using traditional methods.

The Hippo Roller gives going green a whole new meaning. It enables communities by the masses, it’s a very simple device and it’s practical. Most importantly, it keeps the green life going. What intrigues me the most about the Hippo Roller is its impact for the greater good of a community.

Read on»

Social design organization Design 21 recently launched a power-pedal, bicycle-focused design competition called Power to the Pedal. Today, bicycle use is gaining global recognition and gaining relevance for transportation, fitness and fun.

Citywide bicycle initiatives and other public awareness projects have been increasing more and more over the last few years. However, promoting bicycle use means more than an hosting a “special day,” it means to enable it.

“This competition calls for a biking accessory or add-on for existing bikes that would improve the bicycling experience and encourage more people to make biking their primary means of transport – more convenient, more enjoyable, safer and more integrated into daily lifestyles – whether it’s for commuting, working, shopping, transporting, leisure or all of the above. In your description, you should define the user scenario and design problem that your design attempts to solve.”

Deadline: Wednesday April 30, 2008 at 11:58PM UTC.
Prizes: 1st - $5000 2nd - $3000 3rd - $1500 Most Popular - $500

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Overall effectiveness: How well does the solution provide an answer to the design problem?

Creativity: How innovative and cost-effective is the thinking behind the design?

Practicality: How successfully can the design be produced or put into practice? Can it be adapted for local production? Does it add to the safety of the cyclist, too?

Aesthetics: How strong is the design in terms of overall form and presentation?

Ecology: How well does the design respond to environmental concerns through considerations such as choice of materials, production techniques, life-span, upgrade, durability, weight, recycle, or re-use factors?

Fore more information on the competition, visit the competition page here.