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Weekly Greenhouse Round-up

Sally Hill | 14.07.10

This week when we tweeted “Talk about sustainable packaging, a box that will grow when you plant it” there was an enormous amount of interest from our followers. The Life Box, as reported here by Green Upgrader is a cardboard delivery box that contains a combination of tree seeds and fungi that will spring to life when put into the ground.

So what is it about this idea that is so intriguing?

Well, it takes a classic throw away item - a cardboard box, and adds seeds. But then the product becomes something much more valuable than the sum of its parts, a plant as well as a solution to waste.

And to our sustainably-minded followers it’s got everything – recycling, upcycling, zero waste, greening and growing. No wonder it struck a chord.

The idea also taps into the extremely interesting concept of cradle-to-cradle design. I first saw the plantable packaging idea on the blog of Cradle to Cradle author William McDonough. Within another idea of his, the ‘triple top line’ he suggested the design of biodegradable ice cream packaging that would dissolve in a day after use so that when children toss it on the ground they are creating a plant rather than trash.

His point, that with clever design, ‘your problem starts to come an asset’ is true, and this is the kind of thinking we need more of.

Here are the links we loved this week:

'Whole Foods to Make Personal Care Products Companies Prove Their Organic Claims'
The grocery chain will require third-party certification of organic credentials on personal care products and cosmetics.
(Treehugger)

'Britsh Pressure for GM Crops Unwelcome in Europe'
The UK is accused of ignoring safety concerns in its champions the expansion of GM crops.
(The Guardian)

'Solar Projects Continue to Shine Despite Dark Economic Times'
The solar boom continues led by US and China.
(Grist)

'Eco Hero: Siân Berry'
Greenhouse profiles face of the Green Party, DIY expert and author Siân Berry.
(Greenhouse)

'Couple Lives Trash Free for One Year'
Somehow this couple only has three pounds of garbage at the end of a year of reusing and recycling.
(Treehugger)

'Can a Startup Think Global Without Boarding a Plane?'
Richard Leyland of Worksnug discusses his companies decision to have a zero flights policy.
(TechCrunch)

'Flickr Find: Beautiful House Made of Cob'
Innovation around an interesting, beautiful and sustainable material for housing.
(GreenUpgrader)

Environmental Graffiti

The Food for Life Partnership

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