If you’re a maker just starting out your journey in sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started. From understanding the types of materials to utilize, learning what steps will help reduce waste and emissions, and finding inspiring new ways to explore creativity that don’t have a negative environmental impact. The good news is there are plenty of resources available for DIYers looking for ways to make their projects more sustainable – from simple switches you can make today, big-picture ideas for longterm change, or exciting new ways makers are helping push sustainability into the future. In these blog posts we’ll look at tips tricks and ideas specifically tailored towards diyers and makers on the road to creating projects with greater eco consciousness so that not only will you create something beautiful but also respect its impact on our planet!
Here is a variation on the Menocino Motor project. The Mendo Motor is a solar-powered magnetically levitating motor invented by super maker Larry Spring, of Mendocino California. This is a great project to do with high school kids. The Motor incorporates woodworking, electricity, magnestism, troubleshooting, and can also be used as a way of teaching […]
Brian O’Connor gave this recent presentation at DorkBot SoCal (March 8, 2009) on combining a homemade moisture sensor, an Arduino, and a Chumby to create a system for monitoring the health of his plants. Video: Arduino + Chumby = Fun! with Brian O’Connor [Thanks, Thomas!]
Patti Schiendelman, Maker Media index, and New World Geek, posted a piece about using Cat-5 cable to create a garden trellis on her fence. She writes: Last year I did a webby-looking twine support for my green beans – it worked really well, plus it was entertaining to look at while waiting for the beans […]
A few years ago, I wrote a stain removal article for our sibling publication, MAKE magazine, and I thought I’d re-post it here with some updated tricks in the spirit of Mending Month! Both absent-minded and a klutz, I have had my fair share of debilitating stains over the years, and have had to cultivate […]
By being more careful and thoughtful about what we waste, we could have quality consumption.
Photo from Museum of Retro Technology Years ago, I came upon The Victorian Internet by Tom Stangadge. It’s a fascinating read, telling the tale of how the world was girdled by copper wires carrying text messages to far flung places. The Victorian Age’s instant messaging system allowed geography and time to be compressed through the […]
Instructables user wholman made this nine-square chair from an old road sign by combining techniques from two other instructables. Looks nice! From the pages of MAKE, Volume 15: Street Spam Lounger built by Sean Ragan, article by Ed Troxell. Preview in our Digital Edition.
