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Top 100 Eco Ideas in August

From Surplus Produce Apps to Miniature Greenhouse Pods

— August 28, 2016 — Eco
From apps that help save surplus produce to desktop-sized greenhouses, the August 2016 eco ideas demonstrate a renewed focus on making our food system more sustainable.

One of the ways that business and consumers are attempting to make the food system more sustainable is by changing the way we purchase our food. For instance, the Farmsquare app helps connect consumers with farmers who have extra produce. An example of a slightly different approach is the Localize labeling system, which encourages consumers to eat locally produced foods instead of those that have been imported.

Beyond changing the way consumers buy food, there is also a push to encourage more individuals to grown their own food. Indeed, the August 2016 eco trends reveal a continued emphasis on urban farming and community gardens. Some examples of these macro-farming initiatives include miniature greenhouse pods, irrigation-inspired planters and spherical urban greenhouses.
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
98
Charitable Beach Cleanups
Charitable Beach Cleanups
The Mandela Day Full Moon Beach Walk is a Nighttime Beach Cleanup Event
<
97
Space Junk Cleaners
Space Junk Cleaners
The RemoveDEBRIS Mission Aims to Beautify Outer Space
<
96
Ice-Constructed Batteries
Ice-Constructed Batteries
CALMAC's 'IceBank' Energy Storage Promotes Sustainable Practices
<
95
Energy-Directing Installations
Energy-Directing Installations
Nissan's Energy Storage System Sends Battery Power to Data Centers
<
94
Sustainable Vitamin Batteries
Sustainable Vitamin Batteries
The New Concept from Harvard Scientists Stores Energy Using Vitamins
<
93
Electricity-Generating Urinals
Electricity-Generating Urinals
These Outdoor Public Urinals Use Urine to Create Power
<
92
Sewage-Based Biodiesels
Sewage-Based Biodiesels
These Consumable Biodiesels Will Be Made with Sewage Water
<
91
Tequila-Based Car Parts
Tequila-Based Car Parts
Ford Repurposes Waste Agave from Jose Cuervo Plantations to Build Cars
<
90
Trailblazing Testbet Aircraft
Trailblazing Testbet Aircraft
This Embraer 170 is Equipped With Light Detection & Ice-Phobic Paint
<
89
Customizable Eco-Friendly Shoes
Customizable Eco-Friendly Shoes
'ShoeBloxx' Allows Consumers to Build and Design Green Footwear
<
88
Groundbreaking Off-Grid Ports
Groundbreaking Off-Grid Ports
The Port of Los Angeles Will Rely Solely On Renewable Energy Sources
<
87
Sustainable Mosquito Traps
Sustainable Mosquito Traps
'Biotrap' is a Sustainable Tool to Help Keep Bugs Away
<
86
Solar-Powered E-Vehicles
Solar-Powered E-Vehicles
Hanergy's Innovative E-Vehicles Never Need To Be Plugged In
<
85
Premium Bamboo Washcloths
Premium Bamboo Washcloths
These Bamboo Baby Washcloths are a Softer Alternative to Cotton
<
84
Recyclable Paperboard Coffee Cups
Recyclable Paperboard Coffee Cups
Frugalpac Has Developed a Coffee Cup That Can Be Recycled
<
83
Urban Bike Loan Initiatives
Urban Bike Loan Initiatives
Toronto Offers an Array of Rentable Bicycles to Reduce Transit Traffic
<
82
Sustainable Cultured Meats
Sustainable Cultured Meats
SuperMeat Plans to Grow Chicken Meat Without Killing One Animal
<
81
Air-Cleaning Faux Fireplaces
Air-Cleaning Faux Fireplaces
'Diapason of Love' from Vanixa Uses Electric Lava to Clean the Air
<
80
Functional Origami Canoes
Functional Origami Canoes
ONAK's Fold-Up Canoes Let Anyone Explore the Water
<
79
Surplus Produce Apps
Surplus Produce Apps
'Farmsquare' Connects Consumers with Growers Who Have Extra Stock
<
78
Bee-Monitoring Devices
Bee-Monitoring Devices
The BuzzCloud Helps Beekeepers Monitor The Insects Without Disturbing Them
<
77
Oceanic Trash-Trapping Contraptions
Oceanic Trash-Trapping Contraptions
The Ocean Cleanup Project's Prototype Captures Ocean Trash
<
76
Milk-Made Plastic Substitutes
Milk-Made Plastic Substitutes
An Art Graduate Created a Milk-Based Alternative to Plastic
<
75
Plant-Based Finger Paints
Plant-Based Finger Paints
Wee Can Too's Veggie Baby Finger Paint is Sustainable and Kid-Safe
<
74
Reward-Based Eco Apps
Reward-Based Eco Apps
The 'My Open Road' App Rewards People Who Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation
<
73
Sustainable Tuna Products
Sustainable Tuna Products
Blue Harbor Fish Co. is Selling Sustainably Caught Wild Albacore Tuna
<
72
Emissions-Preventing Stones
Emissions-Preventing Stones
The CarbFix Project is an Endeavor in Carbon Dioxide Storage
<
71
Poignant Glacier Viewing Centers
Poignant Glacier Viewing Centers
Visitors can See Climate Change in Action at the Icefjord Center
<
70
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
The New Balance Headquarters Are Designed to Save Water & Energy
<
69
Portable Wind Turbines
Portable Wind Turbines
This Innovative Wind Turbine's Battery Captures Energy From the Wind
<
68
Bread-Based Airplane Insulation
Bread-Based Airplane Insulation
A Chinese Lab has Created 'Carbon Foam' from Burning Bread
<
67
Communicative Plant Contraptions
Communicative Plant Contraptions
The Phytl Signs Device Can Decipher Plant Communication Signals
<
66
Elevated Micro-Libraries
Elevated Micro-Libraries
This Library is Made up Up Ice Cream Cartons
<
65
Poacher-Busting Trimarans
Poacher-Busting Trimarans
The Earthrace 2 is Targeted Towards Fighting Illegal Fishing
<
64
Fluoride-Free Toothpastes
Fluoride-Free Toothpastes
hello's Fluoride-Free Toothpaste is Made with Natural Ingredients
<
63
Seaweed-Made Furniture
Seaweed-Made Furniture
This Eco-Friendly Collection Was Created with a Zero Waste Process
<
62
Quiet Electric Aeroplanes
Quiet Electric Aeroplanes
NASA's X-57 Aircraft Reduces Carbon Emissions With Electric Propulsion
<
61
Wood-Made T-Shirts
Wood-Made T-Shirts
These Comfortable T-Shirts are Made from a Wooden Textile
<
60
Gamified Cycling Stunts
Gamified Cycling Stunts
TfL's 'Time to Cycle' Initiative Encourages the Public to Begin Biking
<
59
Charitable Honey Skincare
Charitable Honey Skincare
These Skincare Products are Organic and Good for the Environment
<
58
Flexible Metal Fabrics
Flexible Metal Fabrics
GKD Metal Fabrics Brings an Oxymoron to Architecture
<
57
Recycled Travel Bags
Recycled Travel Bags
These Luxury Bags Are Made From Recycled Airplane Seats
<
56
Futuristic Spherical Skyscrapers
Futuristic Spherical Skyscrapers
Project ZERO Maximizes Living Space with a Sphere-Like Shape
<
55
Reversible Tote Bags
Reversible Tote Bags
Tyvek Totes are Recyclable, Lightweight and Designed with Style in Mind
<
54
Purifying Concept Cars
Purifying Concept Cars
The QClear Vehicle Cleans and Reduces Urban Air Pollution While it Drives
<
53
Repurposed Bottle Bags
Repurposed Bottle Bags
The Hamilton Perkins Collection Offers Travel Totes Made Using Billboards
<
52
Climate-Controlled Smart Gardens
Climate-Controlled Smart Gardens
The Nectar Allows Consumers to Grow Organic Produce Year-Round
<
51
Communal Campground Retreats
Communal Campground Retreats
This Campground Was Designed to Be Friendly to Travelers and Nomads
<
50
Cubic Modern Home Protrusions
Cubic Modern Home Protrusions
Multiple Blocks Make Up This Modern Madrid Residence
<
49
Recycled Chain Store Clothing
Recycled Chain Store Clothing
Urban Outfitters' New Clothing Line Features Repurposed Fabric
<
48
Bespoke Soap Ordering Services
Bespoke Soap Ordering Services
The Soapy Soap Company Provides Custom Soaps with Vegan Ingredients
<
47
Gigantic Nomadic Farms
Gigantic Nomadic Farms
The Desertscraper Revitalizes Arid Desert as It Rolls Across It
<
46
Botanical Train Stations
Botanical Train Stations
The Kaohsiung Train Station in Taiwan is Covered by a Lush Garden
<
45
Non-Stick Shampoo Bottles
Non-Stick Shampoo Bottles
This Plastic Coating Will Save Money and Prevent Waste
<
44
Converted Ship Pavilions
Converted Ship Pavilions
An Architecture Studio Used an Old Ship to Make Its Newest Installation
<
43
High-Tech Bike Displays
High-Tech Bike Displays
This Company Makes High-Functioning Bikes for Eco-Friendly Transport
<
42
Local Labeling Systems
Local Labeling Systems
'Localize' Uses Local Food Labels to Help Consumers Support Their Community
<
41
Storybook Bedding Designs
Storybook Bedding Designs
This Organic Children's Bedding Inspires a Love of Storytelling
<
40
Candle-Powered Heaters
Candle-Powered Heaters
'Egloo' Introduces an Ecologically Friendly Way To Keep Warm
<
39
Solar-Powered Refugee Shelters
Solar-Powered Refugee Shelters
The SolarCabin Provides Eco-Friendly Housing to Asylum Seekers
<
38
Miniature Greenhouse Pods
Miniature Greenhouse Pods
This Small Pod Turns Greenhouses Into Decorations
<
37
Upcycled Plastic Chopsticks
Upcycled Plastic Chopsticks
These Reclaimed Plastic Chopsticks Work to Reduce Ocean Waste
<
36
Efficient Rooftop Cabins
Efficient Rooftop Cabins
The 'Cabin Spacey' Project Makes Use of Empty Roof Space
<
35
Converted Stable Studios
Converted Stable Studios
What Once Functioned as a Stable and Garage is Now a Studio Space
<
34
Natural Affordable Housing Concepts
Natural Affordable Housing Concepts
This Design Hopes to Change the Way Social Housing is Viewed
<
33
Eco-Building Tool Kits
Eco-Building Tool Kits
This Tool Kit Makes the Construction of Green Homes Simple
<
32
Hurricane-Proof Homes
Hurricane-Proof Homes
Deltec's Homes are Able to Withstand Hurricanes
<
31
Eco-Friendly Card Games
Eco-Friendly Card Games
'Go Eco' Teaches Players About Conserving the Environment
<
30
Irrigation-Inspired Planters
Irrigation-Inspired Planters
These Self-Watering Pots Make Taking Care of Plants Much Easier
<
29
Single-Liter Cars
Single-Liter Cars
This Student-Designed 3D-Printed Vehicle Competed at the Shell Eco-Marathon
<
28
Partition-Free Hotel Rooms
Partition-Free Hotel Rooms
This Open Air Hotel Room is in the Middle of the Swiss Alps
<
27
Slow-Moving Sculptural Bicycles
Slow-Moving Sculptural Bicycles
This Slow Bicycle Takes Inspiration from Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest
<
26
Shipping Container Residences
Shipping Container Residences
This Prefrabricated Home Was Designed With Limited Space
<
25
Clay-Built Hotels
Clay-Built Hotels
This Clay Hotel Looks Like Something Straight Out of a Fairy Tale
<
24
Luxury Campground Communities
Luxury Campground Communities
The 'AutoCamp' Transitions People into Small Home living
<
23
Eco-Friendly Floating Greenhouses
Eco-Friendly Floating Greenhouses
The Eco Barge Cruises the Danube in a Sustainable Fashion
<
22
Recycled Wire Jewelry
Recycled Wire Jewelry
These Eco-Friendly Pendants are Partially Made from Discarded TVs
<
21
Automated Plant Watering Systems
Automated Plant Watering Systems
The Hydra is an Automated System For Easy Indoor Gardening
<
20
Stylish Layer-Friendly Rainwear
Stylish Layer-Friendly Rainwear
These Long Raincoats Were Made Oversized to Keep You Warm
<
19
All-Electric Roadsters
All-Electric Roadsters
Kyburz Debuted a Sporty Electric 'eRod' Roadster
<
18
Easy-Build Wooden Homes
Easy-Build Wooden Homes
This Pine Wood Home Only Took Ten Days To Build
<
17
Pop-Up Garden Oases
Pop-Up Garden Oases
This Empty Storefront Was Transformed into a Tranquil Temporary Venue
<
16
Spherical Urban Greenhouses
Spherical Urban Greenhouses
Amazon is Building a Relaxing Green Community For Its Employees
<
15
Personal Air Purifiers
Personal Air Purifiers
This Mask Was Designed to Protect Against Poor Weather Conditions
<
14
Nature-Themed Houses
Nature-Themed Houses
This Large Home Was Built Around an Enormous Oak Tree
<
13
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
This Piezoelectric Architecture Merges Design & Sustainability
<
12
Recycled Fabric Fashion Lines
Recycled Fabric Fashion Lines
This Scrap Clothing Line Makes a Statement About Conscious Design
<
11
Sustainable Coffee Carts
Sustainable Coffee Carts
'Nespresso on Wheels' Shares Nespresso Coffee Pods' Recycling Efforts
<
10
Lush Stacked Villas
Lush Stacked Villas
These Villas are the Second Addition to a Communal Landscape Design
<
9
Fairy Tale Green Homes
Fairy Tale Green Homes
These Green Roof Houses Save on Energy and Look Stunning
<
8
Agricultural Wall Art
Agricultural Wall Art
These Agricultural Art Pieces Work as Small Ecosystems That Decorate Homes
<
7
Rustic Cat Furniture
Rustic Cat Furniture
This Eco-Friendly Cat Furniture is Perfect for Cat Lovers
<
6
Eco Urban Micro-Homes
Eco Urban Micro-Homes
This Small Urban Home is Made With Rigid Eco-Friendly Standards
<
5
Sustainable Glass Homes
Sustainable Glass Homes
This Natural Family Home is Covered by a Sustainable Dome
<
4
Sustainable Rammed-Earth Houses
Sustainable Rammed-Earth Houses
Casa Candelareia is Built from Soil Excavated On-Site
<
3
Floating Tiny Houses
Floating Tiny Houses
'The River Den' is an Affordable Moving Home on the Water
<
2
Tiny Prefabricated Houses
Tiny Prefabricated Houses
This Eco-Friendly Home Can Be Set Up Quickly
<
1
Bicycle-Car Hybrids
Bicycle-Car Hybrids
This Vehicle Could Resolve Transport Issues That Stem from Overpopulation
<