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!
Afrigadget had a piece about this art colony near Nairobi National Park, called Kitengela Glass. They use local artisans (and train new ones) to make and sell items from recycled glass, metal, and other materials. From the Kitengela website: They try to help their locale as much as possible – over fifty people have been […]
Make your own backyard biodiesel. It’s easy to make a small batch that will work in any diesel engine. You won’t need any special equipment–an old juice bottle will serve as the “reactor” vessel–and on such a small scale, you can quickly refine your technique and perform further experiments.
Here’s a useful primer on whole-house rainwater catchment systems: In many areas of the country, a water-conserving household can provide for all its water needs from what it can catch off its roof. If the graywater and potentially the blackwater/humanure is also recycled for landscaping, each home can become an independent and sustainable part of […]
This is truly aggressive upcycling: The De Vrouwe van Stavoren Hotel in the Netherlands salvaged four wine casks from Switzerland and converted them into rooms. Formerly filled with 14,500 liters of Beaujolais wine from the French chateau, each now holds a modest two-person room with standard amenities and even an attached bathroom and sitting room. […]
The Purple Pedals project consists of 20 solar-powered, geotagging, photo-taking, flickr-uploading bicycles called the ybike. It’s also a really interesting look at why a major sponsor would fund such an unusual project. There is a great list of assets at the end of the post that you might want to check out. So how does […]
A Dress a Day posted this pic of Nancy Judd‘s gorgeous “Fan Mail” dress. Colorful junk mail (catalogues, solicitations, newspaper ads) were folded into fans and sewn onto a skirt and dress made of scrap canvas and a mantilla for the hair. The vintage shoes are covered with old postage stamps. The inspiration for this […]
This “Electric Trike” is a pretty cool ride that maintains its low rider status. Powered from two 12 volt, 32 amp batteries and a 75amp, 24 volt speed controller made in England, it gets pretty good speed even with someone strapped in for a ride. Check out the video to see it in action and […]
