Speakers made from recycled paper
The Flare Audio Zero speakers are so named because they have practically zero negative environmental impact. They’re zero-waste, and 100% recyclable, because they use recycled paper to make their exterior. The paper, 2mm thick sheets of it, is placed between aluminium plates that make it resilient to bumps and knocks, and as solid as concrete. The paper also works as the way to create vortices that keep the sound in the speaker but allow air in to ensure the speaker driver can work to their best ability.
Smart water valves
Water makes up 70% of the Earth’s volume, and it’s a precious natural resource. But too much of it is wasted due to leaking, broken pipes and inefficiencies in plumbing. Smart home technologies, like the Flo by Moen smart water valve can identify any leaks, shut off water supplies in the event of a burst pipe, and provide analytics for water use, allowing you to be more efficient – and to identify any problems before they get worse.
Furniture made from palm oil
Palm oil is one of the most ecologically damaging materials known to man, because of the way it’s harvested by demolishing forests with gas-guzzling machinery. But once it’s produced, it ought to be used. Cellulose fibre, a byproduct of the oil-making process, has been used by Bosnian artist Nataša Perković to create plates, lamps and chairs that aren’t just beautiful and usable, but also ensure that you’re saving the environment.
Home hydroponics systems
The food supply chain is another area that damages the environment, with the amount of food miles being clocked up by many products causing lasting impact on our planet. Reducing food miles is the goal of many eco-friendly consumers, but there’s a way of abolishing them entirely: growing your own. Not everyone has an allotment or a garden, so Gardyn, a tech-enabled home hydroponics system, allows people to grow food on three stems housing 30 plants that are grown using LED lights controlled through a smartphone app. It’s a way of ensuring you’re fed with healthy food, all while saving the environment.
Smart plugs
One of the biggest power leaches in the home are plug sockets. Leaving devices plugged in and sucking out electricity can contribute to higher energy bills and more ecological damage. So becoming more tuned in to your power use is one way to stop the problem. WiFi-enabled plugs such as this one can be controlled remotely, and easily turned off when you want – it can even be automated so you don’t have to remember to do anything.
