Montane Puts the Squeeze on Recycled Outdoor Clothing

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:43:59 GMT

Photo: Montane Montane may not be one of the iconic names of outdoor gear, having only been around for 16 years. But they are taking it to the big boys by offering part of their outdoor sport clothing line in eco materials. The garments shown below, for example, use recycled polyester in either shell fabrics or insulations. Yet British-based Montane are still able to offer their signature low weight and pack size, demonstrating that eco-textiles still offer performance characteristics.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gardening for Gumbies - the Roll-Out Veg Mat (Updated)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:25:42 GMT

Photos: Chris Chapman website Chris Chapman is an early twenties British designer, who baulked at the idea of studying design to make "pretty things for wealthy, privileged consumers." So he changed tack and learnt design-for-sustainability instead. He now has a quiver of cool green projects ready to fling at prospective clients or employers. The one that most captured our attention was his Roll-Out Veg Mat. Each season householders buy a new roll of corrugated cardboard impregnated with vegetable seeds. Simply roll out the cardboard and cover with soil. Presto! Near instant veggie garden. It's simplicity could even push the No-Dig Garden for uncomplicated elegance. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Prefab Live Green House Built in One Day

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:10:20 GMT

Photo: courtesy City of Sydney, Live Green house. The sustainability demonstration showcase house was erected in a single day, when it first appeared as part of Sydney's Art & About Festival last month. Now it's on the move again, this time as an exhibit for the City of Sydney's participation in Australian National Recycling Week and other green community engagement events. Designed by Terry Bail and Martin Urakawa from Archology, the Live Green House uses a modular, interchangeable arrangement of low embodied energy plywood sheets. The house is prefabricated off-site allowing it to be assembled and disassembled by hand with just screws. The architects reckon their working prototype would perform real world service as a small home, shed, or artist retreat. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

10 Week Old Oil Spill's Rig is Now On Fire

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:26:47 GMT

Photo: PTTEP ERG Media You might recall back, in mid August 2009, when Matthew noted that an oil rig of the NW coast of Australia had sprung a leak. A rather bad leak that was expected to take some time to plug. Well, it's now November 2009, more than 70 days and four failed attempts later, the oil continues to gush into the Timor Sea, at an estimated rate of somewhere between 400 and 2,000 barrels per day. (A barrel contains 159 litres or 42 US gallons.) But the news gets worse. On Sunday 1 November the West Atlas oil rig caught on fire, and oil company PTTEP Australasia admit they don't know how they are going to put it out. Should the rig collapse, the opportunities to plug the still leaking oil, pouring from the well bore 2.6km under the seabed, decline markedly. And the bad news keeps on coming.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Sleep Like a Log in Vaude's Tencel Sleeping Bags

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:18:48 GMT

Bed frames are made from trees, but sleeping bags? Why not, reckon Vaude, the German mountain sports company. The insulation for a new range of Vaude sleeping bags due in 2010, will comprise 50% Tencel, a more benign form of nasty old viscose (aka Rayon), made from plantation tree pulp in a process that recycles most of the production solvents. Tencel is a relatively new fibre, having first appeared in 1987, and scoring its own textile category, known as Lyocell. Interest in the fibre waned for a while, but has been revived of late, with a whole raft of new fabrications coming to light. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Use Your Melon: Melon's Slice Folding Bike That Is.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:40:11 GMT

We've been highlighting a heap of folding bikes recently (see list below). Melon Bikes is another to add to an ever growing collection. Their focus is that the simpler they "can make a bike to maintain, ride, and transport, the more fun you will have owning it." And Melon have opted to go with 20" wheels as an integral part of their story. Suggesting that with a wheel size that owes its heritage to BMX racing, you'll have a blast, "quick-starting to a high speed instantly - no big wheel inertia to overcome."... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fischer Produces Skis With 100% Renewable Energy

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:47:01 GMT

We've had a few stories about smaller snowboard and backcountry ski companies heading off down a green path. I think this is the first time we've had a mainstream ski manufacturer on side. The Fischer Sports Group have just announced that the thermal energy for the production and heating of their plants which make Fischer Skis has gone 100% renewable. Their Ried, Austria factory has been into this gig since 2001, but recently their other plant in Mukachevo, Ukraine, which has 950 folk pumping out 700,00 pairs of skis (alpine and nordic), also joined the initiative. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Farmer-Veteran Coalition. A Modern Swords to Ploughshares

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:53:16 GMT

Writing for TreeHugger is such a brilliant job. We get to seek out all the positive news stories. To shine a little light on solutions, instead of only focussing on dark problems. It's food for the soul. Just like this heartwarming story -- about the Farmer-Veteran Coalition -- found on the WorldWatch blog, The coalition wants to match hard working farmers with returning Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans, so that they might help each other heal both the wounds of the US food system, and of those of the battle weary warrior. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

1,250 mpg. The PiMobility Electric Hybrid Bike Revisited (Video)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:26:35 GMT

The PiCycle is an intriguing electric hybrid bike. We covered it previously when it was called Electrobike, and launched for the bargain basement price of $7,500 USD. Things have changed quite a bit in the past two years, particularly with regard to the price -- it's lost $5,000!, Yep, the PiCycle, as it now known, goes for $2,500. You have three option of riding the Pi: just like a bicycle under pedal power, completely under electric propulsion, or pedal with electric-assist. Where's the battery? Hiding in the rather fetching arched monocoque aluminium frame.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Poo Project and Other PortaPotty Adventures

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:26:14 GMT

Winter is inching inexorably closer for our Northern Hemisphere readers, and for a few hardy souls (skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and alpinists) this will bring with it the excitement of days and nights spent in the snowy backcountry. The wilderness may beckon, but nature also calls. What to do our human waste in these pristine environments? Because, come the spring thaw, the evidence, once hidden from view, becomes very exposed. And soon finds itself contaminating nearby waterways. A couple of years ago the Cairngorms National Park, in Scotland, developed a rather elegant solution to the problem of winter waster or frozen faeces.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is The AMiiVA More Than a (Folding) Bike?

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:42:17 GMT

The AMiiVA was officially introduced to the world last month. Though contrary to what your eyes might lead you to believe, the "AMiiVA is a more than a bike, it's a Personal Mobility Assistant (PMA)." Where's an airline sick bag when you need it? Come on guys, sure it's snappy, small wheel, folding bike, but let's not complicate things with another silly three letter acronym. The name itself is derived from the initials, Assistant de Mobilite Individuelle, indicating it's French origins. Setting aside my language conniptions, I should point out the good things the AMiiVA has going for it.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Spooklight: Wireless Bicycle Light Senses When You're Braking

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:27:14 GMT

Using technology similar to an iPhone, the Spooklight relies upon a three-axis accelerator to determine when the bike is slowing down. It then displays central rear red LED brake lights to alert other road users. Additionally you a touch sensitive pad mounted to your handle bars can be activated to show that you're turning left or right. A wireless signal is sent to the rear LED lights to blink the appropriate amber turn lights. But that's not all the 90g (3.17oz) can do. It has a couple more tricks up its sleeve. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Jango Flik: The Folding Bike You Can Ride, Push or Stow

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:19:27 GMT

Two years we noticed that Mercedes were selling a cute folding bike. Now it's resurfaced again. Though this time by the name of Jango Flik. A product of the Topeak design studio, -- they of the Bikamper tent and Chainbot -- the Jango Flik will be available in five models, which are mostly variations of a T or V shaped handlebar set; rigid or suspended front forks; and eight or nine speed gearing. Pricing is said to range between $1,199 and $1,599 USD. and we understand they'll be readily available in 2010, after having currently loitered about on the bike trade show circuit.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Documentary Team Win Nau's Inaugural $10,000 Grant 4 Change

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:59:16 GMT

Benjamin Drummond and Sara Joy Steele are a Seattle-based documentary team specialising in multimedia stories about people, nature and climate change. They are also the just announced recipients of $10,000 from the eco outdoor clothing company Nau, who through their Grant 4 Change campaign, which ran from 7 July to 31 August, exposed the work of over 280 very worthy nominees to a broader audience. Ten finalists (five selected by the public, and five by Nau staff) were chosen, and Benjamin Drummond and Sara Joy Steele have emerged as the winning grantees. As Nau put it in their media release, "Working together for over a decade, Benjamin and Sara have told stories through photography, field audio recordings and words. From semi-nomadic reindeer herdsmen in the Arctic to wildfire fighters of the American West, the two have documented the lives of people on a regional level, understanding that in order to mobilize a global effort we must first generate local will."... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gone in 17 Seconds. The Bigfish Bike Folds and Unfolds Fast

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:52:17 GMT

In working through a backlog of posts we should've brought to you earlier, we present the Bigfish folding bike. In a strange reversal or trade, the bicycle was designed in Slovenia and is made in Italy. Yet sells for just 495 in the UK, 600 in Europe and $549 in the US, which is quite decent for a folding bike, particularly one made in Europe. It's main claim to fame is that it can be either folded or unfolded in 15 seconds. without need of any tools, and without any hinge points in the frame itself. This time seems accurate, as the YouTube video, later in this post, demonstrates the Bigfish being unfolded in 17 seconds. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Save Kids. Take 250,000 Cars Off US Roads: Wend Magazine Tells How

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:50:00 GMT

Wend Magazine's latest issue is out. As is expected from this fine publication, there is much to engage the grey matter and inspire the reader to ditch the sofa for a bike or board. Sure, there are the usual exotic destinations that travel magazines that filled with, but somehow Wend finds stories that go beyond the What To Do pages of Lonely Planet. And writers who see the environmental and social aspects of faraway locales or journeys. This issue is no exception. We explore remote regions, whose very names conjure images of windswept adventure: Mongolia, Kashmir, Peru, and Antarctica. To help readers get in the right mood, the Wendex gathers together scary statistics, which seem to equally reflect another world. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

World's Largest (Solar Powered) Tensegrity Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Opens

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:50:21 GMT

This week the world's largest tensegrity pedestrian and cycle bridge was officially opened in Brisbane, Queensland. In fact, according to Wikipedia, it is "also the largest Tensegrity structure in existance." Tensegrity, meaning the tensional integrity based on a synergy between balanced tension and compression components. That might sound like engineering mumbo jumbo, but now that the bridge is open an estimated 36,500 monthly passage of pedestrians and cyclists can go test the theory for themselves, as they cross the 470 metre long span as, the Kurilpa Bridge arcs over the city's river.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Biodiesel Motorcycle Attempts Circumnavigation of Australia

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:06:22 GMT

With more than a touch of irony, a motorcyclist who spent about 20 years as an off-shore oil driller is demonstrating that there are alternatives to fossil fuels. Paul Carter, now a best seller author, last month leapt aboard a motorbike (designed and made by staff and students at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, to see how it copes with over 20,000 kilometres (~~124, 200 miles~~, whoops! 12,420 miles) of travel as he does a lap of the country. According to ABC Online, Paul reckons the biodiesel motorcycle is "the only road-registered, properly compliance plated, properly insured bike in the country that runs on used cooking oil and waste animal fats." He is also hoping that she'll be to maintain a speed of at least 80 to 90 kilometres an hour (53 mph) on her intake of recycled cooking oil and waste fats.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Dead People Are Cool: Crematorium Heat Powers Air Conditioning

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:16:43 GMT

Our second crematorium posts in weeks, but this one is a bit more uplifting than Mike's story about unfortunate Canadians breathing dead people soot. In this instance the Taipei Second Funeral Parlor in Taiwan plan to harness waste heat from their crematorium furnaces and run it through a heat exchanger to generate electricity to run the air-conditioning system in of all places, their waiting room. But the $236,00 USD energy conversion unit, due to be completed this month, has however not been welcomed by everyone. The ABC Online report that Taipei City Councillor Chuang Ruei-hsiung was quoted by the Central News Agency as saying, "It's creepy that the mourners are cooled by air-conditioning powered by the bodies of their relatives being burnt downstairs," ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Oryzatech: Strawbale Lego Blocks for Grown-ups

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:16:37 GMT

Strawbale Building is one of those endeavours that mostly flies below the radar. Although a proven construction method for more than 100 years, the mainstream building industry don't really allow it to appear on their screen.That might be because it's been hard to pigeonhole. After all, the raw material is scooped, as agricultural waste, right off a farmers field, instead of shipped out a factory door, complete with specification and safety data sheets. But that distinction might be about the change. Oryzatech make their Stak Block from compressed rice straw, considered the world's largest bio-waste crop. The interlocking blocks do look uncannily like Lego for giants. Each fire resistant block weighs about 13.5 kg (30 lbs) and contains 96% recycled content, as well as being rated to R50 for insulation*, which is claimed to be thrice that of a standard insulated stud wall.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Huge Dust Storm Feeds Fish and Eats Carbon Dioxide

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:45:10 GMT

Our resident boffin John Laumer speculated late last month that plankton feeding fish off Australia's east coast wouldn't know what hit them following the massive geoengineering event (a huge dust storm) that blew across the continent recently. He was right. Researchers from the Ocean Technology Group at the University of Sydney estimate 8 million tonnes of CO2 was captured by the phytoplankton that grew as a result of the dust storm. The scientists stick their neck out even further and say, according to ABC Online, the findings validates plans to increase fish stocks to feed some of the world's poorest people using ocean fertilisation.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Organic Bikes Say, Re-Think Your Ride, Consider a Bamboo Bicycle

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:30:11 GMT

Bamboo in bikes isn't a radically new concept (see below for our previous posts), but what is striking in this instance that a company would establish itself around a line of green bicycles crafted from bamboo and recycled aluminium alloy. With a swath of matching eco bike accessories to match. Organic Bikes has been set up by Wheel & Sprocket. As the largest bike retailer in the US state of Wisconsin, with over 35 years in the trade and recipient of the National Bicycle Retailer of the Year award, it would seem safe to assume this venture has been well thought through. It's great that such experience is being brought to bear on making our most efficient means of transport even more environmentally benign. And the bikes, what of them? Ah, sorry, read on. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

SRD Change09: Students Seek to Inspire, Provoke and Change Design

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:50:00 GMT

SRD Change is the annual exhibition of new graduate design and ideas that address our those issues which will impact our future. Like issues of sustainability, environmental change and responsibility, social equity and community. The Society for Responsible Design (SRD), probably the planet's oldest eco-design not-for-profit organisation, believe that such ideas challenge conventional expectations and raise the design bar to new levels. Change 09 showcases the directions that graduates from top universities see the world taking, should they secure jobs in various design professions. On view will be a high rise building that grows it own food; an award winning water transport and filter system; a thermoacoustic water chiller that promotes reusable water bottles; a flexible, roll-up solar charger that tracks the sun; an integrated housing and permaculture garden project. And so much more, as the teaser photos here (and below) suggest. Included is also Link Scooter share design, we profiled month ago. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Finding Eco. NEMO's Nano Oz Recycled Tents Go Cheap

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:51:09 GMT

You may recall we posted earlier this year on NEMO's cool 90%* recycled tent, the Nano Oz. And how, like many new arrivals it was experiencing a few teething troubles. Well, Kate from NEMO was recently in touch to update us on the Nano Oz developmental progress. Seems the news is both good, and bad. Although the recycled single skin tent fabric is technically a winner "... incredibly durable, breathable and waterproof. Honestly, they have some of the industry's best ratings," according to Kate, it still a few issues to be resolved before a full commercial release. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Montague's New Boston is a Single Speed, Full Size Folding Bike

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:30:36 GMT

We've long admired Montague for their tough, but elegant, full size folding bikes -- built around a concept that makes them just as suitable for military paratroopers, as it does recreational riders. Now, in a move to target urban riders, they've announced the Boston. A new single speed folding bike with 700c (roughly 26") wheels. Instead of an often problematic, multi-spocketed derailleur, they've opted for an easy-to-maintain hub, which Montague say allows riders to switch between fixed or freewheel depending on their preference. More pix and specs after the fold.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Want it Nau? Wear Test With Nau's Changing Room

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:15:56 GMT

Beauty, Performance and Sustainability are the three principles that drive the folk at Nau, the outdoor lifestyle clothing and bag company. You'll notice Price isn't included. Shoehorning that trio of attributes into a product is harder work, than simply squeezing a product to get the cheapest price. So, although Nau might be value for money, the ticket price might cause some potential customers to shy away from experiencing the brand's quality apparel. In typical creative fashion, Nau have dreamed up a solution: The Changing Room. Buy from eight selected winter garments, (mostly those over $250) and Nau will bill your credit card for just 50% of the cost. Nau reckon you'll be so thrilled after wearing them for 30 days you'll want to keep it (you'll then be billed the remainder). If not so enthralled, simply return the garment for a full refund, and Nau will even pick up the return shipping costs. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bicycle Cargo. Chapter 2: Bike Trailers

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:30:39 GMT

A couple of weeks ago we started out on what we naively thought to be simple task. To catalogue some of the more popular forms of bicycle cargo hauling. In Chapter One, we catalogued more than a dozen different - Bicycle Bag and Racks, Here, in Chapter Two, we showcase over 20 different Bicycle Trailer builders. Using their engineering ingenuity you can jump aboard your bike and transport anything from kayaks to kids, fridges to freight, shopping to sofas. In Chapter Three we'll check out Extended Frames as a means of ferrying stuff about on your bike, so, no we haven't forgotten Xtracyle, et al. Patience. Photo: Surly Bikes... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Town Prepares to Celebrate Going Bottled Water Free

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:46:57 GMT

Saturday, 26 September 2009 is a big day for a little town. Bundanoon, 1.5 hours south west of Sydney, will hold the official launch of its initiative to make the quiet village of about 2,500 people, Australia's First Bottled Water Free Town. As we reported in July, the community turned out for a town meeting, voting 355 to 1 in favour of a proposal to support the town's businesses and events, should they withdraw commercial bottled water from sale. It was such an audacious idea that the world's media lapped it up, with the plan getting coverage from the Middle East to Canada, from Ireland to Japan. The concept of a tiny town taking on the behemoth of the beverage industry resonated with people across the globe. Congratulations came pouring in from Qatar and Siberia, from Brazil and the Czech Republic, and everywhere in between. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Schwarzenegger Would Work for Obama. For Free.

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:57:02 GMT

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is prepared to align his green vigour with that President Barack Obama, according to Reuters. Arnie apparently said, this Thursday just past, that he's ready to either assist Barack on the environment. "I've made very clear that any way I can help the Obama administration to be successful, I will do so. I don't need to get paid for it, I don't even need to have an official position," he said. Speaking in an address at the Commonwealth Club on the issue of climate change he remarked, "Did we say China, you go first with human rights, and we will follow you? No. We led." ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Finisterre is Fashion Finalist in RSPCA Good Business Awards

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:15:47 GMT

Finisterre is a cool, surf-oriented outdoor clothing company from Cornwall, UK, for whom we have a lot of respect. And so it seems does Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), for they've nominated Finisterre as Small Company Fashion Finalists in their 2009 Good Business Awards. David Bowles, Head of External Affairs for the RSPCA said in the media release: "We have had a record quality and quantity of entries to this year's fashion category - a clear indication that companies are responding to the shift away from disposable fashion and towards responsible consumerism. [...] These companies, who are striving to implement exceptional welfare standards, deserve our recognition as they set the standard for others to work towards." ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Warren McLaren, Sydney