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!
Tripod: a student entry from last year’s contest. The EPA just announced its newest lifecycle building challenge: Enter the third year of the Lifecycle Building Challenge competition, to shape the future of green building and facilitate local building materials reuse. Submit your innovative project, design, or idea for reducing to conserve construction and demolition materials […]
Here’s a brief, introductory video on how to make your own clay plaster and lime paint from skilled cob builders who have written a step-by-step book on building with cob: (Via Chelsea Green)
Here’s a basic, introductory papercrete project: save some newspaper and soda cans from the garbage / recycling, add a bit of cement, and end up with a funky cool wall! I’ve also seen walls of this style with glass bottles instead of aluminum cans. I believe there’s less of a recycling market for glass than […]
Here’s the transformation of a lawn into an edible landscape: Thanks to Rebekah and Stephen Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home, whose lawn is featured in the photos, and Bountiful Backyards for the slideshow.
Not quite production-ready, this is probably the most sustainable DIY housing I can imagine: Here’s an explanation with an architect behind the concept: Any ideas/instructions for slightly-smaller-scale growable structures? (Via Chelsea Green)
Tristan and Libby, sharing their cheese-making knowledge (photo via Mikey). I was lucky enough to get a lesson in cheesemaking from Tristan and Libby, authors of the Whittled Down blog. A gallon of milk and a few other ingredients makes a pound of cheese, and you can go from milk to mozzarella in a couple […]
Here are plans for a small-scale biodigester. Some details: Have any commenters actually built or worked with methane-producing digesters? (via Chelsea Green)
