Top 6 Incredibly Interesting Eco-Friendly Inventions
At Zureli, we’re constantly on the lookout for the latest breakthroughs in sustainable solutions. From biodegradable plastics derived from algae to construction bricks crafted from recycled materials, these innovations aim to tackle pressing environmental challenges. Each one is designed to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and lessen our dependence on non-renewable resources, creating a more sustainable future for our planet. Here, we delve into the newest eco-friendly advancements reshaping industries and paving the way toward greener living.
Below are some of the new interesting Sustainable products:
Biodegradable Bioplastic made from Banana Peels
A biodegradable bioplastic made from banana agricultural waste offers a sustainable packaging alternative. Created by engineer Eleonora Ortolani, this material is crafted using fibers from banana plants, which are typically discarded after harvesting. This innovative bioplastic is fully recyclable, compostable, and does not use petroleum-based materials, making it an eco-friendly solution for reducing plastic waste and supporting the circular economy. This unique approach to plastic alternatives showcases the potential of agricultural byproducts to revolutionize sustainable packaging.
Repurposing Chewing Gums - Gum-Tec
Gumdrop was founded in 2009 by Anna Bullus to combat the issue of gum litter through innovative recycling. While studying 3D Design at the University of Brighton, Anna developed a passion for material research and environmental sustainability, particularly in recycling plastics. One day, while observing litter, she questioned the fate of chewing gum waste, realizing there were no systems to recycle it. This led her to create the Gumdrop Bin, a unique solution designed to collect and recycle chewing gum, giving it a second life as new, useful products.
The world’s first shoe made from recycled chewing gum, the Gumshoe, was created by Gumdrop in collaboration with fashion brand Explicit and Amsterdam’s city council. Its sole, called gum-tec, contains 20% recycled gum collected from Amsterdam’s streets, where 1.5 million kg of gum is discarded each year. Each pair uses about 250g of gum, showcasing a sustainable approach to the waste problem. Available in black, red, and bubblegum pink, the limited edition of 500 pairs sold out quickly.
Wine press waste becomes lamps, wine coolers
Katharina Hölz’s project, *tresta®*, earned a sustainability award for transforming 200,000 tonnes of unused wine press waste—stems, seeds, and skins—produced annually in Germany into eco-friendly materials. By combining this pomace with natural binders, Hölz creates renewable and biodegradable products, such as wine coolers and lamps, with unique tactile and visual qualities. The material’s color varies with the grape variety and pressing process. Prof. Anita Burgard supervised this innovative product development.
A Biodegradable packaging made from a potato starch-based material
GoneShells redefines food packaging by introducing a fully biodegradable material inspired by nature's approach to protecting food, similar to a fruit peel. Made primarily from potatoes, this transparent, flexible, and edible packaging aligns its lifespan with the food it contains, breaking down naturally under various conditions. GoneShells' innovative design not only boosts sustainability but also opens up new possibilities for food packaging, offering a fresh, eco-conscious alternative to traditional materials.
Snoot: reduce food waste
Snoot helps reduce household food waste by empowering users to assess freshness with confidence through a fun, data-driven tool. Using aroma detection, it analyzes volatile organic compounds that foods release as they age, then translates this into actionable suggestions for use or preservation. Through printed receipts, Snoot offers practical ideas on how to use foods based on their freshness level, encouraging users to explore food's full potential and minimize waste.
Smart Ocean Chairs: Made from Fishnets
Late American industrial designer Niels Diffrient reimagined his chair model for Humanscale with sustainability at its core, creating the Smart Ocean chair. Each chair incorporates one kilogram of recycled fishing nets, collected from the ocean and converted into durable pellets. Discarded plastic, especially drifting fishnets, presents a severe threat to marine ecosystems, damaging coral reefs and harming marine life. Humanscale has repurposed approximately 4,536 kilograms of these harmful nets into their Smart Ocean chairs, turning ocean waste into functional design.
These innovative solutions highlight a shift toward sustainable practices that repurpose waste into valuable, eco-friendly products. Each project—whether transforming banana peels into bioplastic, creating shoes from gum, or turning fishnets into office chairs—demonstrates the potential of circular design to lessen environmental impact. By repurposing byproducts and discarded materials, these innovations tackle waste reduction and resource conservation. Together, they pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future, underscoring the importance of creativity and responsibility in solving pressing ecological challenges. We at Zureli continue to champion such advancements, spotlighting these innovative inventions and act as a medium to spread the knowledge of Being Green.