Top 100 Eco Ideas in May

From Portable At-Home Greenhouses to Hotel Gardening Initiatives

— May 21, 2016 — Eco
As the May 2016 eco trends reveal, consumers and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned with the issue of food waste. As a result, there has been a growing demand for new products and innovative services that help to reduce the amount of food scraps thrown out each and every day.

One of the most popular ways consumers are reducing food waste is by growing their own produce. This largely involves products such as portable greenhouses and urban gardening systems that allow consumers to grow only as much food as they need. Additionally, many consumers are purchasing composing bins to ensure that the organic waste they do throw out does not end up in landfills.

While consumers are making great strides in the effort to reduce food waste, the May 2016 eco trends reveal that business are also taking up the cause. For instance, AccorHotels recently rolled out a new restaurant policy that involves using local produce and serving smaller portions. Taking a different approach, an app called Ubifood helps retailers sell surplus food directly to consumers at discounted prices.
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94
Solar Charger Building Kits
Solar Charger Building Kits
This New Development Board Lets You Build Portable USB Solar Chargers
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93
Eco-Friendly Tech Support Vehicles
Eco-Friendly Tech Support Vehicles
The Best Buy Geek Squad will Now Drive the Toyota Prius c
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92
Pulverized Coal Processing Systems
Pulverized Coal Processing Systems
This Hybrid Energy System Enables Cleaner Coal Processing
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91
Mower-Monitoring Apps
Mower-Monitoring Apps
The MowerPlus Lawn Care App Monitors Your Mowing Schedule
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90
Awareness-Raising Galas
Awareness-Raising Galas
The EarthBall 2016 Event Marks Earth Day in Toronto
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89
Futuristic Car-Sharing Services
Futuristic Car-Sharing Services
BeeZero's Service Uses Fuel Cell-Powered Hyundai Cars
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88
Thermal Energy-Trapping Buildings
Thermal Energy-Trapping Buildings
The Rocky Mountain Institute's Building is Aptly Eco-Friendly
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87
Hedge-Topped Crystal Complexes
Hedge-Topped Crystal Complexes
The Ko-Bogen 2 Crystal Complex Features 2 Kilometers Of Hedges
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86
Smart Pedal-Assist Bikes
Smart Pedal-Assist Bikes
The Freway Mountain Bicycle Features 27 Speeds and Off-Road Capabilities
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85
Kid-Friendly Hair Products
Kid-Friendly Hair Products
The Hip Peas Hair Styling Balm is Safe for Kids to Use
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84
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
London's New Solar Bus Shelters Use Photovoltaic Technology
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83
Global Seat Vaults
Global Seat Vaults
Norway Houses a Futuristic Facility Guarding 850,000 Seed Copies
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82
Dual Natural Energy Chargers
Dual Natural Energy Chargers
The Ecocharge Provides Renewable Energy on Sunny and Cloudy Days
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81
Sustainable Supertall Skyscrapers
Sustainable Supertall Skyscrapers
The Wuhan Greenland Center EmbracesWater Conservation Measures
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80
Sustainable School Cafeterias
Sustainable School Cafeterias
Muse School Encourages Plant-Based Diet from a Solar Power Kitchen
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79
Eco-Friendly Plane Wing Designs
Eco-Friendly Plane Wing Designs
A Collaboration Between NASA and Boeing Could Cut Plane Emissions
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78
Smartphone-Controlled Greenhouses
Smartphone-Controlled Greenhouses
The EcoQube Air Desktop Greenhouse Can Be Monitored Via Phone
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77
Pigeon Pollution Campaigns
Pigeon Pollution Campaigns
Pigeon Air Patrol Used Backpack-Wearing Birds to Monitor Air Pollution
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76
Island Solar Arrays
Island Solar Arrays
This Solar Facility is the Largest In the Caribbean
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75
Smartphone-Connected Outlets
Smartphone-Connected Outlets
The 'MeWatt' Makes Energy Monitoring a Streamlined Effort
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74
Impeccable Electric Cars
Impeccable Electric Cars
The Tesla Model 3 Makes Sustainable Transportation Affordable
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73
Eco-Friendly Coffee Pods
Eco-Friendly Coffee Pods
A Recyclable K-Cup Helps to Reduce the Massive Waste Produce by the Brand
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72
Convenient Composting Services
Convenient Composting Services
Compost Nashville Picks Up Residential and Commercial Compost
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71
Hotel Gardening Initiatives
Hotel Gardening Initiatives
'AccorHotels' is Growing Its Own Produce in Order to Reduce Food Waste
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70
Smart Air Purifiers
Smart Air Purifiers
The New Dyson Purifier Connects to Your Smartphone to Show Pollution Levels
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69
Sustainable Feces Building Materials
Sustainable Feces Building Materials
Merdacotta Could Replace Terracotta Tiles for Building
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68
Powerful Off-Road Ebikes
Powerful Off-Road Ebikes
The Trek 'Powerfly FS+' Off-Road Bicycle is Design for Uneven Terrain
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67
Earth Day Retail Makeovers
Earth Day Retail Makeovers
The Apple Earth Day 2016 Celebrations Include Green Uniforms
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66
Rainproof Solar Panels
Rainproof Solar Panels
New Solar Cell Technology Could Absorb Energy in Overcast Conditions
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65
Solar-Powered Electric Boats
Solar-Powered Electric Boats
The SolarSkiff is Designed to Make Electric Boating More Accessible
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64
Waste-Reduction Initiatives
Waste-Reduction Initiatives
Bacardi's 'No-Straw' Movement Aims to Reduce Plastic Straw Waste
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63
Self-Driving Concept Cars
Self-Driving Concept Cars
The LeSEE Concept Car is Being Marketed as an Autonomous Taxi
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62
Plant-Based Sandwich Spreads
Plant-Based Sandwich Spreads
Sir Kensington's Vegan Mayonnaise is Made with Aquafaba
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61
Bright Low-Energy Lightbulbs
Bright Low-Energy Lightbulbs
Finally's 14-Watt Eco Light Bulbs Emit More Light Than Incandescents
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60
Upcycled Wine Barrel Longboards
Upcycled Wine Barrel Longboards
These Longboards are Made from Marlborough Wine Barrels
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59
Eco Garden Bug Zappers
Eco Garden Bug Zappers
The Solar-Powered UV Bug Zapper Garden Lamp is Multifunctional
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58
Earth Day Walking Tours
Earth Day Walking Tours
This Walking Tour Takes Participants to Green Sites Across New York City
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57
Comprehensive Community Infrastructure
Comprehensive Community Infrastructure
The Watly is a Solar Hub That Provides Multiple Services
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56
Health-Centric Road Bikes
Health-Centric Road Bikes
The QiCycle R1 Smart Bike Syncs with Xiaomi’s Health App
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55
Green Lifestyle Festivals
Green Lifestyle Festivals
The 'Green Festival Expo' Marked Earth Day in New York City
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54
Food-Rescuing Apps
Food-Rescuing Apps
'Ubifood' Connects Retailers and Consumers to Stop Food Waste
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53
Pedestrian-Oriented Urban Redesigns
Pedestrian-Oriented Urban Redesigns
The Place de la Bastille Undergoes a Remodel for Foot Traffic
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52
Cloud-Connected Smart Bikes
Cloud-Connected Smart Bikes
The ORBITREC is a 3D-Printed Bike Equipped with Smart Technology
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51
Waste-Free Edible Cutlery
Waste-Free Edible Cutlery
These Single-Use Utensils are Completely Edible
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50
Oil Brand City Vehicles
Oil Brand City Vehicles
The Shell Project M Concept Car Features a Fuel Economy of 89mpg
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49
All-Natural Pet Shampoos
All-Natural Pet Shampoos
Duncan and Friends is a Naturally Derived Pet Shampoo
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48
Enhanced Electric Mountain Bikes
Enhanced Electric Mountain Bikes
The SCOTT E-Genius Plus Electric Mountain Bicycle is Rugged
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47
On-Foot Pizza Delivery
On-Foot Pizza Delivery
Sodo Pizza Cafe's Foot Delivery Service Leverages Guilt to Improve Health
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46
Parking Lot-Adjacent Dwellings
Parking Lot-Adjacent Dwellings
The 'ZEDpod' is a Low-Carbon Building Design that's Affordable
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45
Ruggedly Efficient Eco Chargers
Ruggedly Efficient Eco Chargers
The Goal Zero 'Nomad 7 Plus' Mobile Solar Panel Offers Convenience
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44
Folding Chair Scooters
Folding Chair Scooters
The 'eFOLDi' Personal Vehicle Offers Three Uses in One Design
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43
Garden Seed Packaging
Garden Seed Packaging
Pinch of Soil by Yara Marie Sayad is Efficiently Designed & Multi-Functional
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42
Floating Urban Forests
Floating Urban Forests
'Swale' is a Floating Barge Topped with an Edible Forest Garden
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41
Connected Off-Road Bikes
Connected Off-Road Bikes
The LeEco 'Le Syvrac' Mountain Bike Design Has Connected Features
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40
Smartphone-Integrated Bicycles
Smartphone-Integrated Bicycles
Le Super Bike is a Smart Bike Designed for Young Consumers
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39
Robot-Produced Bicycles
Robot-Produced Bicycles
The Mokumono Bike is Quick and Inexpensive to Produce
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38
Student-Supporting Toothbrushes
Student-Supporting Toothbrushes
The 'Flooxa' Toothbrush is Designed by Students to be Beautiful
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37
Device-Charging Benches
Device-Charging Benches
This Solar Outdoor Lighting Solution Offers Multiple Features
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36
Upcycled Sustainble Swimwear
Upcycled Sustainble Swimwear
These Swimwear Designs by Vaute Couture Feature Recycled Materials
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35
Futuristic Rescue Aircrafts
Futuristic Rescue Aircrafts
The Sikorsky 'KANI' Light Electric Aircraft Features Space for Two
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34
Contemporary Cargo Scooters
Contemporary Cargo Scooters
The Nimble Urban Scooter Features a Handy Cargo Rack on the Front
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33
Autonomous Shipping Robots
Autonomous Shipping Robots
The Conceptual Ecotranzit Provides a Solution to Truck Deliveries
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32
Gas Leak-Detecting Drones
Gas Leak-Detecting Drones
The RMLD-Sentry Monitors Methane Leaks & Makes Gas Infrastructure Safer
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31
Tiny Hemp Homes
Tiny Hemp Homes
This Hemp Home Makes Use Of Sustainable Hemp-Based Materials
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30
3D-Printed Generators
3D-Printed Generators
This DIY Hand Crank Generator Can Generate 30 Watts of Power
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29
Soap-Based Packaging
Soap-Based Packaging
Bennison's Creative Clothing Packaging is Made of Biodegradable Soap Paper
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28
Solar Cell-Embedded Roads
Solar Cell-Embedded Roads
'Solmove' is Designing a Flexible Glass Carpet Filled with Solar Cells
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27
Futuristic Hover Bikes
Futuristic Hover Bikes
The Chico is a Conceptual Vehicle that Features a Rounded Pod Shape
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26
Eco Fashion Installations
Eco Fashion Installations
H&M Celebrates World Recycle Week with a Consumer-Powered Display
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25
Natural Wooden Room Humidifiers
Natural Wooden Room Humidifiers
The Mast Eco Humidifier is Crafted from Japanese Cypress Wood
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24
Compact Public Transportation Vehicles
Compact Public Transportation Vehicles
The 'Tempo' Compact Vehicle Offers Space for Two Riders
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23
Pea-Based Milks
Pea-Based Milks
Ripple by Method is a Nondairy Alternative That Tastes Like Its from Cows
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22
Solar-Powered Water Devices
Solar-Powered Water Devices
WaterDrop is Capable of Producing Water in the Desert
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21
Driverless Transportation Pods
Driverless Transportation Pods
Singapore's GRT Pods Could Revolutionize Public Transport
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20
Insulated Tiny Homes
Insulated Tiny Homes
This Bespoke Tiny House Uses Structural Insulated Panels
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19
Bacteria-Powered Lighting
Bacteria-Powered Lighting
Glowee Uses Bioluminescent Bacteria as a Sustainable Source of Light
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18
Liveable Cardboard Abodes
Liveable Cardboard Abodes
The Wikkelhouse is a Sustainable House Made From Recycled Paper
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17
Suctioning Solar Panel Chargers
Suctioning Solar Panel Chargers
The GreenLighting Solar Phone Charger Power Bank is Efficient
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16
Compact Planter Composts
Compact Planter Composts
The 'Uroboro' Composting Bin Reduces Waste Going to the Landfill
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15
Mobile Coffee Shops
Mobile Coffee Shops
This Catering Company Will Bring Fresh Coffee Directly to Consumers
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14
Rooftop Spirulina Farms
Rooftop Spirulina Farms
This Startup is Growing Edible Algae on Top of a Bangkok Hotel
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13
DIY Plastic-Recycling Machines
DIY Plastic-Recycling Machines
The 'Precious Plastic' Project Encourages Plastic Recycling
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12
Discreet E-Bike Designs
Discreet E-Bike Designs
This Bike's Components are Enclosed in the Frame or the Rear Swing Arm
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11
Connected Rooftop Wind Turbines
Connected Rooftop Wind Turbines
This Mountable Turbine is The First Connected Wind Energy Source
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10
Bike-Friendly Office Buildings
Bike-Friendly Office Buildings
The Oslo Solar Building is Designed for Bike Storage and Repairs
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9
Dual Transportation Auto Concepts
Dual Transportation Auto Concepts
The Audi Connected Mobility Comes with an Electric Longboard
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8
Economical Single-Seat Helicopters
Economical Single-Seat Helicopters
This Personal Helicopter Design Allows Flyers to Avoid Delays
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7
Light-Powered Thin Watches
Light-Powered Thin Watches
The Citizen Eco-Drive One is the World's Thinnest Light-Powered Watch
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6
Portable At-Home Greenhouses
Portable At-Home Greenhouses
Design House Stockholm's Miniature Greenhouse Brings the Outdoors In
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5
Portable Induction Hobs
Portable Induction Hobs
IKEA's New TILLREDA Induction Hob is Made for Small Living Spaces
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4
Streamlined Electric Bike Concepts
Streamlined Electric Bike Concepts
This Bike Features an Electric Motor System and a Carbon Frame
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3
DIY Cardboard Toys
DIY Cardboard Toys
MacoshDesign Created Downloadable Templates to Make Eco-Friendly Toys
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2
Stilted Solar Homes
Stilted Solar Homes
The Sustainable ZED Pods Can Be Installed in Parking Lots
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1
Chic Shipping Container Homes
Chic Shipping Container Homes
The Honomobo Shipping Container Living Spaces Satisfy Needs
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