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!
Gotwind is a Ben Jandrell’s (Shropshire, England) DIY site for renewable energy projects. The site has a number of cool projects and technical info and tutorials. Here’s an excerpt from his page on the Sturmey Archer GH6 Dynohub: The Sturmey Archer GH6 Dynohub was designed as a means of generating electrical lighting power for bicycles […]
A product design student at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK wanted to address the problem of prevalent bike theft so he created this bike for around US$30. It doesn’t say whether this was just for the frame or for everything. And no, it doesn’t melt in a rainstorm. He used hexacomb board, which is […]
This mobile Nintendo Wii station is built with an HD monitor powered partly by solar energy. Inside is a battery, power converter and solar panel that generates enough juice to power the Wii. Pretty cool idea for a portable console, although it might be hard to see the screen, not to mention the fact that […]
From the MAKE Flickr Pool: user nickjohnson spotted this makeshift trailer in Brooklyn, made from the tail end of a minivan. Hey, if it works, it works! Got any more info on this thing? Post in the comments.
A middle school student in GuangDong, China made a bike washing machine, not many details but ready for a re-make via Tim. More: DIY lamp from an old washing machine barrel. The pedal powered washing machine. Non-Invasive washing machine cycle detector project.
From the MAKE Flickr photo pool Ranjit from Brooklyn created this pleasant device and displayed it at the recent Figment Festival – seems a prime candidate to replace the windchime, hmm … windstring? – come see and hear this– um– whatever it is
Prompted by the coverage of the AIDG Pico-Hydro system, here and on Gizmodo, Catherine Laine of AIDG asked the developer, Sam Redfield, to provide more information. She tells us that he’s also going to try and get a parts list and tech specs that she’ll share with us. [Thanks, Cat!] Sam Redfield on Pico-hydro at […]
