Lovely example of biomimicry from Ecovative via Grist:
Usually you do not want fungi in the walls of your home. But Ecovative is building a home in which having fungi in the walls is the entire point. The “Mushroom Tiny House” will use mycelium (the mass of threadlike “roots” that mushrooms use to take in nutrition) for insulation.
According to Inhabitat, this stuff is basically asbestos except that it’s not bad for the planet, won’t give you cancer, and is related to something you might put on a pizza…
As different industries grapple with what sustainability means, different terms are being developed to suit specific contexts. One term emerging in the manufacturing sector is Cleantech – short for Clean Technology. John O’Brien of Australian Cleantech defines it as: “Products and services with economic AND environmental benefits” It’s about thinking win/win and letting go of…
Some of our downstream impacts around the world can be difficult to see. Coffee and chocolate, for example, are mainly produced in third world countries with little or no labour and environmental protection. One difference that even a small business can make is in their purchasing. Getting informed and acting strategically about regular purchases can…
Making new assumptions As human beings, what we see is in many ways a result of what we are looking. As Henry Ford said: “If you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right”. If we assume that green business is a fad, that our Environmental Management System is an overhead and…
Eastern Business and the Environment (EBATE) is a network group that has been helping businesses to reduce their impact on the environment AND improving their profitability. EBATE is supported by Least Waste (the Regional Waste Management Group for the Eastern Region of Melbourne) and holds seminars on issues such as minimising waste, efficient energy use and water…
Saving paper saves money and the environment Lilydale accountancy and financial services group White Roche and Associates has taken up the positive sustainability challenge, working with Balance3 to make positive sustainability part of their long term strategy.
Here’s a great example of the Regenerative Business Principle #2 “There are no wastes” combined with Principle #7 “Think small, local and smart”. Harvard professor Dr. David Edward is developing an edible packaging technology he calls a WikiCell. Imagine your single serve yoghurt packaged in a soft foam membrane of raspberry sauce. The yoghurt is packaged inside its…
