Tag Grow

Although smartphone manufacturers design their phones to be durable and resilient, a lot of owners still fret over the safety of their expensive purchases. Phone cases are a dime a dozen, but while that might be good for variety and choice, it’s terrible for the planet. These accessories are almost all made from some form of plastic or another, and they get discarded left and right the moment they become discolored or damaged. Very few manufacturers pay close attention to this aspect because of how protective cases have to be made cheap and plenty. Fortunately, there is a number that does take that responsibility quite seriously, producing this revolutionary iPhone case that you can plant in the soil after it has reached its end of life to watch it grow into new life as plants and flowers.

Designer: iGreen

There’s no rule that phone cases have to be made from plastic or plastic-like materials, they just happen to be cheap, durable, and long-lasting. They’re not immortal, of course, and once cases break or get discolored over time, they’re completely useless and have to be thrown out. That’s not even considering perfectly usable cases that are disposed of simply because they are no longer attractive or match the owner’s interests. Some manufacturers do have programs for recycling the plastics in these cases to make new cases, but iGreen Gadgets actually has an even more creative use for these discarded accessories.

For starters, the case is 100% compostable, so it will decay and dissolve into the earth when buried. The material is based on cornstarch, a very common biodegradable substance that’s also used in many plastic alternatives. Even the powder used to produce colors is also naturally based. Despite its completely biodegradable nature, the cases still provide the necessary protection your iPhone needs to survive accidents and avoid an early retirement in landfills.

The difference from other bioplastic cases is that each iGreen Cover case contains living seeds protected by a special water-soluble film inside the cover. Once the case has served its purpose, you simply have to plant it in a pot at a 30-degree angle with the inside of the cover facing up. You cover it with soil while leaving the upper half of the case exposed, water it, and expose it to sunlight, and within a few weeks, you will be able to witness your phone case transforming into plants.

Different case colors hold different kinds of seeds. Green will grow basil, yellow for daisies, and light blue for Forget-me-nots. The case itself, specifically the cornstarch, contains everything the seeds need to survive inside the case and then grow once planted. The plants that grow won’t be that practical. The flowers are mostly decorative, though basil can probably be used for cooking. Still, it’s a rather ingenious and creative way to reuse a product that’s often discarded mindlessly, turning a planet-killer into a plant-grower.

Some say that the world runs on coffee or that coffee is what actually makes it go round. Regardless of opinion, there’s no denying how much of the brown liquid is consumed every day, whether at home or especially from coffee shops like the famous (or infamous) Starbucks. When taking the latter into account, you can’t but help consider the amount of waste the coffee industry is producing simply from the cups alone, whether plastic or biodegradable paper. More conscientious coffee lovers have switched to reusable tumblers to help minimize their impact on the environment, but that is only half a step better than using plastic drinkware. This portable coffee cup, in contrast, takes the product’s lifecycle into account and puts it to good use even when you can no longer drink from it.

Designer: Alex Philpott (Beta Design Office)

Most coffee tumblers today are made from a combination of materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone. While some of these might be considered sustainable, the sum of the parts isn’t. These reusable drinking vessels naturally last a lot longer than the disposable variety served at many coffee shops, but they still end up polluting the land and seas at the end of their lives. Definitely not a good way to give back to the Earth that produces the coffee beans and water that fuel our modern lives.

That’s where the Earthmade Aromacup sets itself apart. Using Bamboo-O, an eco-friendly material made from bamboo fiber and plant starch, 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. It can be easily used as compost material at home, contributing to the healthy growth of plants that, in turn, could nourish our food or clean up the air at the very least.

Beyond its sustainability, however, the Earthmade Aromacup also offers practical features matched with a clean aesthetic. A user-friendly keyhole locking mechanism makes it safe to bring your coffee or any favorite drink with you on the go, while easy disassembly makes it trivial to keep the cup clean and hygienic all the time. The cup’s soft body and ribbed texture offer a comfortable and safe grip when you need to take a sip anywhere.

The choice of single pastel colors, applied with food-safe coloring via a sustainable injection moulding process, visually sets it apart from most travel cups. At the same time, it appeals to the minimalist aesthetic that continues to trend, making these cups an attractive alternative to common, mass-produced coffee tumblers that also let owners feel good about their contribution to the Earth’s health every time they take a sip.

The field of agriculture has been experiencing remarkable technological advancements, transforming the way we produce and consume food. Innovations like Hydroponic farming technology have already shown the potential to enhance crop growth and quality. Building upon this trend, Square Greens presents a groundbreaking solution that reimagines food production and consumption, combining cutting-edge technology and minimalist design to offer fresh, nutritious meals in just four days.

Designers: Eugenio Costa, Edoardo Graci, Valeria Cattoni, and Simone Centonze

In a world where convenience and health-consciousness go hand in hand, Square Greens emerges as a game-changer. Square Greens introduces a novel approach to cultivating food that is both technologically advanced and environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional farming methods that require ample land and time, Square Greens thrives within a minimalistic, compact greenhouse resembling a microwave.

The driving force behind Square Greens was to create a tool that marries simplicity and efficiency. At its core, Square Greens is a compact, A5 paper-sized pod that houses an entire ecosystem for rapid plant growth. The green pod design is ingeniously crafted to facilitate optimal water absorption, ensuring the plants receive the nutrients they need to flourish. The incorporation of a needle-like mechanism acts as a water stopper, releasing water into the pod’s cotton medium once inserted.

One of the standout features of Square Greens is its user-friendly design. The green pods are designed to accommodate seeds and can be easily removed, simplifying the process of planting and harvesting. Notably, the creators have taken innovation a step further by incorporating a status bar that changes color as the plants receive water. This intuitive feature acts as a visual indicator of the pod’s hydration status, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

The meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of Square Greens’ design. The rear of the greenhouse showcases a harmonious arrangement of the logo, legal information, and energy plug, all encapsulated within a single square. This blend of aesthetics and practicality is a testament to the creators’ commitment to offering a seamless user experience.

The journey from concept to reality was a series of careful iterations and innovative problem-solving. The initial prototype consisted of nylon components, including two frames split in half, a water pump, and a water-resistant LED strip. Through rigorous testing, the Square Greens team fine-tuned the system to achieve optimal growth conditions. The result was a “secret” system that dramatically accelerated growth, enabling a complete meal’s worth of greens to flourish in just four days.

The initiative to enhance user convenience in agricultural processes is truly commendable. Establishing a continual connection between users and their crops fosters a sense of engagement, thereby contributing to the potential success of the device among producers. However, the realm of food production is a delicate domain to experiment with. The apparent artificiality of the process may raise apprehensions among users regarding the adoption and consumption of the resultant produce.

Nonetheless, it is crucial not to disregard the significant market acceptance that hydroponic technology has experienced. It is a technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. This innovative technology found graceful approval among both consumers and the market at large. Notably, even a prominent grocery chain, Carrefour, has embraced this method, incorporating it into the production of its own range of fresh food items. This instance underscores the feasibility of integrating advanced techniques into the food industry.

The key to success lies in skillful marketing. Presenting the technology in a strategic and appealing manner holds the potential to overcome initial hesitations and pave the way for widespread adoption. While challenges exist, the precedent set by hydroponic farming exemplifies the transformative power of innovation, providing optimism for the long-term prospects of this novel product.

Square Greens represents a quantum leap in the agricultural industry, ushering in an era of rapid growth and efficient food production. By combining advanced technology with elegant design, Square Greens has created a solution that not only addresses the demands of modern consumers but also promotes sustainable practices. As we continue to witness the fusion of innovation and agriculture, Square Greens stands as a testament to the endless possibilities that await us in the realm of food production and consumption.