Top 30 Eco Innovations and Environmental Trends in 2008 H1

TREND HUNTER is eco obsessed, and this list showcases our hottest 30 eco innovations and environmental trends in 2008 (so far).

We’re always thrilled when our eco trends go viral.  But we’re even more excited to learn about all these hip new ways that people are trying to save the world!

This is one of many features in our new FREE Micro Trend Reports section. See them all here. 

Top 30 Eco Innovations

1. Green Children’s Toys - SEE Toys Charge by Crank (GALLERY)

Last fall, ZenDesign Group launched the toy collection SEE (safety, ecology, economy) which are electric toys that don’t need batteries. Instead, the toys are powered by the energy created by moving… [More]

2. Animals of the Future - Exhibit Showcases Future Climate Change and Evolution (GALLERY)

During a virtual safari, visitors of the Futuroscope in Poitiers (France) can learn about future animals.  The exposition shows how the fauna of our planet evolve over the next million years.

It is not… [More]

3. Homemade Fuel - EFuel 100 MicroFueler (VIDEO)

With the never ending increase in gas prices, people have started to think about fuel alternatives.  E-Fuel Corporation, a company in California, has introduced the EFuel 100 MicroFueler, a device that… [More]

4. Shoe Made of Garbage - Nike Trash Talk

Nike’s latest line of shoe design is garbage. Literally. The Nike Trash Talk are actually made from manufacturing wastes, which is kind of hard to believe looking at their crisp white design.

They were… [More]

5. Toyota Hybrid Pick-Up Truck - A-BAT Mobile (GALLERY)

Another great reveal at the North American International Auto Show will be Toyota’s latest pickup truck concept, the A-BAT.

The hybrid A-BAT mobile follows in the footsteps of Chevrolet’s Silverado hybrid,… [More]

6. World’s First Wooden Supercar - The Splinter (GALLERY)

I don’t think we will ever see those supercars around, but it is still a unique and innovative car. American designer, Joe Harmon, 27, started the project with other students at North Carolina State University… [More]

7. The Ring House - Best Private House (GALLERY)

This weekend house has been voted the Best Private House in the Wallpaper Design Awards 2008, and it is obvious to see why. The work of architects Makoto Takei and Chie Nabeshima (TNA), this weekend house… [More]

8. Vertical Farming (Part III) - Toronto Sky Farm (GALLERY)

There are several vertical farms proposed from major cities around the world. We’ve already told you about the one being built in Las Vegas, now here’s one that’s been proposed for Toronto.

SKYFarm,… [More]

9. Eco Cell Phone Shell - Bamboo Chute Phone (GALLERY)

In a time where the eco-friendliness of a product or service is a primary concern of consumers, designers need to innovate to answer the same functional demands while incorporating greener ways and not… [More]

10. Washing Machine Toilets - WashUp (GALLERY)

The newest and most innovative washing machine is now here. Sevin Coskun developed the WashUP concept that positioned a washing machine on top of your toilet.

The water that’s used to clean your clothes… [More]

11. Top 100 Solar Inventions - Part I: Gadgets & Fashion (SUPER GALLERY)

Earth Day is right around the corner, so buzz about environmentally friendly innovations is high. One of the most talked about ways to go green right now is opting to use solar technologies by harnessing… [More]

12. Inflatable Solar Panels - SolarStore Helps Heat Your Water (GALLERY)

Water heaters are one of the primary power-hungry devices in most households. That’s why the prospect of an affordable solar panel system is particularly exciting. I have always argued that green energy… [More]

13. Top 100 Solar Inventions - Part 2: Architecture & Power Plants (SUPER GALLERY)

The power of the sun is incredible, and with Earth Day coming up, we thought we’d highlight some of the top innovations in solar technology. This is part two of the solar cluster, featuring 30 solar powered… [More]

14. Living Business Cards - “Another Bloomin’ Designer” Card (GALLERY)

Make sure your prospective client would want to keep your business card on their table rather than in their pocket by giving the gift of green with your contact information! The “Another Bloomin’ Designer”… [More]

15. Biodegradable Cell Phone - Bamboo Phone Sprouts Seeds After Composting (GALLERY)

This is a truly incredible cellular phone that has taken modern recycling methods and environmental consciousness into major consideration. The Bamboo phone is not only biodegradable, but when it is thrown… [More]

16. Eco-Retro - Retro VW Camper Goes Green

Still in draft-phase, the famous VW Westfalia Camper Van has been redesigned to bring it even more environmental street-cred.
Alexandre Verdier envisions an “intelligent” vehicle with solar panels to… [More]

17. Three-Wheeled Green Machine - TREV Concept Car (GALLERY)

Trev! What makes this little guy unique is that it was designed by the students at the University of South Australia.

After spending several years in development, out spawn Trev, a three-wheeled green… [More]

18. Eco-Luxury Architecture - $15 Million Orchid House (GALLERY)

This is the design of a sustainable, eco-friendly house shaped in the form of a bee orchid. The house, which is called The Orchid and is located in the UK, uses geothermal heating and an underground pump… [More]

19. Water-Recycling Shower - Quench Enables Guilt-Free Shower Indulgence (VIDEO)

Trend Hunter has featured stories about showers that kick you out or remind you to conserve water. So how about an environmentally sustainable water conservation shower that allows you to indulge as long… [More]

20. Recycled Art - Rubber Tires Sculptures as Art (GALLERY)

These sculpture are retreads of a different kind, using old tires, the artist has created something new. Artists like this need to get pumped up to do more and show the world that recycling is the “tready"… [More]

21. Vertical Eco Farm - Las Vegas 30 Storey Garden

Las Vegas, the city known for gambling, drinking, lights and wild times will be turning over a new leaf, a green one at that.

The $200 million project, expected to open in 2010, will the the first vertical… [More]

22. Turn Your Washing Machine Into a Lamp - Reestore Ideas (GALLERY)

Since recycling is on everyone’s mind, the designers at Reestore have been turning what some would consider “no longer of any use” into fully-functioning household furniture. The ideas Reestore have come… [More]

23. Semi-Submerged Eco Luxury Home - Trilobis 65 (GALLERY)

We’ve seen all sorts of cool homes on Trend Hunter, like tree houses and shipping container homes. We’ve also seen a rising obsession with aqua culture, so it’s neat to feature something that combines… [More]

24. Mutant Humans as a Social Message - The Beacon’s Reversing Evolution Campaign (GALLERY)

In celebration of the recent earth day on April 22th, the Beacon organization released a creative and powerful campaign entitled Evolution.

The campaign asks you the following question: “Ready to go… [More]

25. Green Luxury Building at Al Raha Beach - Abu Dhabi World Trade Center (GALLERY)

Not to be confused with Dubai, Abu Dhabi is on a building binge of its own. This is the World Trade Center to be built on Al Raha Beach, the spectacular spit of land for the waterfront east. 

Everything… [More]

26. Top 50 Innovative Bicycles (SUPER GALLERY)

You’ve finally decided to reduce your carbon footprint and think switching to a bicycle is a fabulous way to switch gears. You want to do your part to help the environment, but you’re not quite sure how… [More]

27. Urban Gardens - Living Wall Planters (GALLERY)

Imagine wall art that was eco-friendly, added Mother Nature to your living room and was a constantly changing spectacle, and you will come close to envisioning something like the creative Living Wall Planters.… [More]

28. The MDI Air Car - The Ultimate Green Machine (VIDEO)

After working on the air powered car concept for the past 15 years French engineer Guy Negre is about to bring this revolutionary vehicle to the masses thanks to a contract with India’s main car manufacturer;… [More]

29. Earth Furniture - Lawn Chair + Lawn Couch (GALLERY)

How much oxygen did your furniture produce today? Yeah, this is not your typical piece of furniture.

Add some alive furniture to your lawn or garden with these neat looking environmental chair and couch.… [More]

30. Recycled Coat Hanger Sculptures - David Mach’s Wirey Art (GALLERY)

This larger-than-life gorilla statue is made of hundreds of recycled coat hangers. The spike-covered sculpture is just one of the unique creations by David Mach who has made an entire collection of coat… [More]