This house is made of a surprising, sustainable material
It might look like wood but it's not
Today’s eco snapshot👇🏽
Cardboard Homes: A sustainable twist on construction
Startup of the week: Kadeya
5 brands that sustainably stand out
Some good news from around the world
3 ways I can help you on your sustainability journey
📦 Cardboard Homes: A sustainable twist on construction
The Wikkelboats and Wikkelhouses, made by the Fiction Factory, are houses made of 24 layers of compressed corrugated cardboard. These houses, which resemble wood, are constructed entirely from cardboard.
They are sustainable in many ways, utilizing clean energy sources like solar and wind, and incorporating water-saving features. However, their true feat of sustainability lies in their cardboard construction.
The widespread application of cardboard structures has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. The building construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of the world's energy-related harmful carbon pollution, with the cement industry being particularly detrimental.
The Wikkelhouse addresses these environmental concerns by utilizing cardboard as a durable and highly sustainable building material.
It can yield four times more material from one tree compared to using wood alone.
These houses are built to last for upwards of 50 years and provide excellent insulation due to the heat-trapping properties of the cardboard layers. The lightweight nature of these houses eliminates the need for a cement-based concrete foundation.
Using compressed cardboard as a building material offers the advantage of being easily recyclable and reusable as a manufacturing component, promoting a more circular economy in sustainable building construction.
Currently, there are 150 Wikkelhouses worldwide, and while their availability is still limited, the trend of using sustainable building materials like compressed cardboard is gaining momentum in the construction industry, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials.
Time for the quiz of the week ⌛
Answer at the end of the newsletter. No one (including me) can see your response so feel free to vote 😉
✨ Startup of the week: Kadeya
Convenience vs. Consequence…There is no denying the convenience of plastic beverages. They provide clean, quality water and can be easily disposed of after use. But there is a hidden environmental cost associated with them. Every minute, over 1.2 million plastic bottles are consumed, with less than 5% of them being recycled. The majority of these bottles end up in landfills, oceans, or are incinerated. One alternative solution is to use reusable bottles, although it’s not the most convenient one.
Sustainable Sips…That's where Kadeya comes in. Their patented solution offers bottled beverages—water, soda, and iced coffee—but in a reusable stainless steel bottle.
Customers can pick these up from Kadeya vending machines.
At the end of their use, they can drop them back in any machine.
The machine has an industrial dishwasher inside it. It washes and sanitizes the bottles. And then refills them for reuse.
These machines are well-suited for compact spaces, such as construction sites, offices, universities, and gyms, where consumers can conveniently use and return them.
Kadeya's Eco Revolution…By using Kadeya, a consumer can avoid emitting 100 grams of CO2e compared to single-use products. This is a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to single-use PET and aluminum cans. The fossil energy footprint is also reduced by 90% compared to single-use products, and there is no plastic used at all. When multiplied by millions of people, this could have a significant impact, amounting to 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
✅ Brands that sustainably stand out
🇦🇺 Who gives a crap- Toilet rolls that are preventing deforestation and helping build toilets for everyone.
🇩🇪 Coldharbour Tiles- Converting unwanted fishing nets into tiles.
🇺🇸 Izzy- A line of zero-waste beauty products.
🇫🇷 Matter- Preventing microplastic pollution caused by our clothes.
🇮🇳 Cap2O- A self-sterilizing smart water bottle that eliminates the need to buy plastic bottles.
Engage with hundreds of sustainable brands like these by upgrading to a paid subscription. It comes with access to a database of planet-friendly brands from across the world.
😹 Some Good News
Germany's Emissions Take a Dive! 💪
Germany's greenhouse gas emissions reached a 70-year low in 2023, mainly due to a significant decrease in coal-fired power generation and a slowdown in industry. The country emitted 675 million tonnes of CO2e, representing a 46% drop since 1990. However, there's still work to be done to meet 2030 climate targets. Let's keep the momentum going!
Women Farmers in India: Illuminating Fields and Challenging Norms 💦
In the small village of Harpur, Bihar, India, women farmers are leading a revolution by harnessing solar energy to overcome water scarcity. By installing solar pumps, they have transformed their agricultural practices, increased their income, and become agents of climate adaptation. With resilience and determination, these women are proving that innovation and gender equality can go hand in hand.
Pittsburgh Makes a Splash in Climate Consciousness 🌧️
The City of Pittsburgh has been recognized for its innovative approach to climate planning, particularly in incorporating climate-change projections into stormwater control regulations. By requiring developers to implement green infrastructure to mitigate runoff, Pittsburgh aims to prepare for heavier rainstorms caused by climate change. With its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Pittsburgh sets a positive example for mid-sized cities in adapting to the effects of climate change.
🌎 3 ways I can help you
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Enjoy your holidays, and see you next week😊