# Eco-Friendly Noise Mufflers Ohio DOT to Test Chia Pet Sound Wall On the Highway By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-07-25 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chia-pet-sound-wall References: [msnbc.msn](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38299414/ns/us_news/) & [cbsnews](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/18/ap/strange/main6689969.shtml) The Ohio Department of Transportation is putting together plans to build a [planted-soil freeway sound barrier](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lanes-acoustic-system) dubbed the '[Chia Pet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/billie-chia-pet)' sound wall. It is the state's first eco-friendly try at muffling highway noise. Earth-filled bags impregnated with seeds will be allowed to grow in a 12' by 400' stretch of Interstate 70 near Columbus. Ohio hopes that its Chia Pet sound wall efforts won't be a repeat of the mishap that Wisconsin had when its [earth-filled plastic sound barrier walls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathing-sea-wall) collapsed and weeds spread in the aftermath. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Eco-friendly Sound Barriers:** The development of eco-friendly sound barriers presents an opportunity for companies to create innovative and sustainable solutions for reducing highway noise. - **Planted-soil Technology:** The use of planted-soil technology in sound barriers opens up possibilities for companies to develop new methods of noise reduction that are visually appealing and environmentally friendly. - **Seed-infused Sound Walls:** The integration of seeds within sound walls offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to create living structures that not only mitigate noise pollution but also contribute to biodiversity. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Construction:** The construction industry can explore eco-friendly sound barrier materials and techniques to meet the growing demand for quieter highway infrastructure. - **Urban Planning:** Urban planners can incorporate planted-soil sound barriers into city infrastructure projects to create more aesthetically pleasing and sustainable urban environments. - **Environmental Technology:** The environmental technology industry can develop seed-infused sound walls as a nature-centric solution to noise pollution, promoting biodiversity and eco-conscious urban landscapes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Acoustic Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycelium-wall.md) - [Geometric Sound-Dampening Wall Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acoustic-compositions.md) - [Playful Body Hair Planters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/billie-chia-pet.md) - [Sustainable Soundproofing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-soundproofing.md) - [Mycelium-Based Earplugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dfc001.md) - [Chime Garden Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chime-gardens.md) - [Natural Sound-Amplifying Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amplification-of-the-senses-chair.md) - [Plant-Based Dynamic Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chiachair.md) - [Colourfully Quilted Sound Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quiltforms.md)