10 Inventions That Are Saving The Planet

Summary

This video explores innovative inventions and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. Highlighting efforts like the Sea Bin Project tackling plastic pollution, bioplastics derived from corn starch, and edible six-pack rings by Saltwater Brewery, the video showcases sustainable alternatives in various industries. Other notable innovations include lab-grown meat, energy-harvesting dance floors, and pineapple-leaf-based leather. These solutions demonstrate how technology and creativity can help reshape consumption habits and protect the planet, one initiative at a time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sea Bin Project aims to combat plastic pollution in oceans, capturing over 3.5 tons of waste daily with 860 Sea Bins globally.
• 🌱 Bioplastics made from sugar derivatives, like cornstarch, emit fewer greenhouse gases and are compostable, but require specialized composting facilities.
• 🍃 A company uses brown seaweed to create fully compostable, edible packaging alternatives, including water capsules and sauce sachets.
• 🌊 Saltwater Brewery developed biodegradable and edible six-pack rings made from barley and wheat ribbons to reduce marine pollution.
• 🏝 DB Breweries in New Zealand crushes glass bottles into sand-like powder for use in construction, preventing beach erosion and reducing landfill waste.
• 🥄 Bakes manufactures edible cutlery made from sorghum, a sustainable grain, which decomposes naturally within days if not consumed.
• 🏙 Vertical gardens, like the Terraplanter, allow city dwellers to grow small crops in a space-efficient manner, reconnecting them with nature.
• 🍖 Lab-grown meat, developed through cultured cells, could reduce livestock farming and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional meat production.
• 💃 The Surya nightclub in London uses kinetic energy from the dance floor to power two-thirds of the club’s electricity needs, contributing to carbon neutrality.
• 🍍 Piñatex, a sustainable leather alternative made from pineapple leaves, offers a more eco-friendly solution to traditional leather production.

Q & A

What is the Sea Bin Project, and how does it help address plastic pollution?

The Sea Bin Project is an initiative that started in Australia to combat plastic pollution. It uses floating bins to collect plastic waste from marinas. Each Sea Bin can collect up to 90,000 plastic bags per year, which is equivalent to 35,700 disposable cups, 16,500 plastic bottles, or 166,500 pieces of plastic cutlery. The project has expanded globally, with over 860 Sea Bins in at least 50 countries, capturing over 3.5 tons of waste daily.

What are bioplastics, and how do they differ from traditional plastic?

Bioplastics are made from renewable resources like sugar derivatives, starch, and cellulose, instead of petroleum-based resources. The most common bioplastic is polylactic acid (PLA), derived from fermented corn. Bioplastics emit about a third of the greenhouse gases compared to conventional plastics during production and can be composted, though they require specialized composting facilities.

How does Notpla's seaweed-based packaging differ from other alternatives?

Notpla's packaging is made primarily from brown seaweed, which grows rapidly and is entirely compostable. Unlike PLA plastics, Notpla products biodegrade within a month, eliminating the need for specialized composting. The company creates edible capsules, including for drinks and sauces, making it a waste-free alternative to traditional packaging.

What innovation did Saltwater Brewery bring to the beer packaging industry?

Saltwater Brewery created 100% biodegradable and edible six-pack rings made from barley and wheat ribbons, a by-product of brewing. These rings break down in the sea within hours, posing no threat to marine life. The company hopes other breweries will adopt this eco-friendly solution to reduce plastic pollution.

What is DB Breweries' contribution to reducing environmental harm from glass bottles?

DB Breweries in New Zealand developed a process that crushes glass bottles into fine powder, which can be used as a sand substitute in construction. This initiative helps reduce glass waste in landfills and addresses the depletion of ocean sands used in the construction industry, which causes beach erosion.

How does the company Bakes address plastic cutlery waste?

Bakes, an Indian company, has created vegan cutlery made from sorghum, a drought-resistant grain, blended with rice and wheat. This cutlery is consumable and decomposes naturally within days, offering an alternative to the more than 40 billion pieces of plastic cutlery discarded annually in the U.S. alone.

What is a vertical garden, and how does it help urban dwellers grow food?

A vertical garden is a growing system designed for urban spaces with limited area. It involves using vertical structures like wall-mounted planters or specially designed pots, such as the Terraplanter, which uses honeycomb clay to allow water to seep through and nourish the plant roots. This system is ideal for growing crops like microgreens in small spaces.

What role does lab-grown meat play in reducing environmental impact?

Lab-grown meat, or cultured meat, is produced using animal cells combined with plant-based ingredients, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional meat. It aims to reduce the need for livestock farming, cutting down on environmental costs, including the vast amounts of resources and emissions associated with meat production.

How does the 'Dance to Save the World' initiative work?

'Dance to Save the World' at Surya nightclub in London uses a dance floor made of quartz crystals and ceramics to convert kinetic energy into electricity. This energy is used to power nearly two-thirds of the club's needs. Additionally, the club is equipped with solar panels and wind turbines, promoting sustainable energy use.

What is Piñatex, and how does it help the environment?

Piñatex is an artificial leather made from the fibers of pineapple leaves, combined with polylactic acid and petroleum-based resins. This material is more sustainable than traditional leather, as it utilizes a by-product of the pineapple industry, which would otherwise go to waste. While not biodegradable due to its plastic components, it is a step forward in reducing the environmental impact of leather production.