MetaEfficient Reviews » Materials

Ultra-Efficient Design Meets Low-Impact Manufacturing: Patagonia Wetsuits

benjamin — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:05:48 +0000

Ultra-Efficient Design Meets Low-Impact Manufacturing: Patagonia Wetsuits (photo: Patagonia)

If you’re not a surfer or a diver, a wetsuit may seem like a fairly specialized or even obscure piece of equipment. But once in a while, a product arrives on the market that’s noteworthy not only for how well it performs its job, but also for how it’s designed and produced. Such is the case with the amazingly efficient line of wetsuits recently added to Patagonia’s catalog of outdoor gear. (more…)

GreenFiber Cocoon Insulation: Energy Efficiency From Recycled Material

benjamin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:18:09 +0000

GreenFiber Cocoon Insulation: Energy Efficiency From Recycled Material (photo: GreenFiber)

One of the simplest ways to improve a home’s energy efficiency and comfort is to make sure that it is properly insulated. Cocoon Insulation from North Carolina-based GreenFiber is a highly efficient insulator, offering more convenient installation and higher R-values than common alternatives, as well as utilizing recycled source material.
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Efficient: Bamboo Toys

Justin — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:52:23 +0000

The Contina line by Hape International is said to be the first range of 100% bamboo toys. They are colored with natural, water-based paints. The full range is available from Hape through Amazon. Found via: Eco Child’s Play

Bloxes: Modular Cardboard Furniture

Justin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:42:02 +0000

Cardboard can be incorporated in modern design pieces — check out this impressive gallery of cardboard furniture. Bloxes (shown above) are the latest option in cardboard furniture. The corrugated cardboard puzzle pieces lock together to form sturdy shapes such as chairs, walls, and play forts.

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Cocona: A Fabric Enhancer Derived From Coconuts

Justin — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:13:20 +0000

Cocona is a natural fabric enhancer that is made with activated carbon. The activated carbon is derived from coconut husks — it is a “waste” product of the water filter industry. But what does Cocona do exactly? It is said to help traditional fabrics resist moisture, control odor and shield ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Activated carbon has a huge absorbing area — one gram of it has a surface area the size of two tennis court. Some 40 outdoor clothing manufacturers, including GoLite, Marmot, Sierra Designs and Royal Robbins, are incorporating Cocona into their 2007 product lines. (more…)

Optimal Material For Mattresses: Natural Latex

Justin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:58:23 +0000

I’ve come to the conclusion that natural latex is the optimal mattress-making material. I’ve tried all kinds of mattresses: goose down, wool, foam, cotton futons and box spring mattresses. But I have to say that my first few nights sleeping on a latex mattress were the most comfortable I ever experienced.

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Color Grown Cotton: Fox Fibre

Justin — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:40:53 +0000

Some cotton is naturally colored — it grows that way and does not need to be dyed. “Color grown” cotton has its roots in the ancient Americas. Weavers cultivated native white, tan, green, yellow, red, and brown colored cottons for thousands of years. However, the fiber qualities of the cotton was not suited to modern textile machines. Thus, today, most people only associate cotton with the color white.

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A Paint Stripper Made From Corn

Justin — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:25:20 +0000

Conventional paint strippers are usually very toxic substances that you’d be better off not bringing into your home. But one company, Green Products, has created a bio-based paint stripper and solvent called aMAIZEing.

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“Full Circle” EcoResins

Justin — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 20:15:19 +0000

Some interesting elements of nature are incorporated into this new line of “ecoresins” from 3Form.

Called Full Circle, the designers utilize renewable materials collected from artisans in diverse communities such as Inodnesia and Africa.

I’d be great if they could make Ecoresins more eco-effective — its currenly a polyester resin which incoporates a 40% post-industrial recycled content. Perhaps 100% recycled content could be used, or even a biodegradable resin?

Biopavers

Justin — Tue, 31 May 2005 11:08:29 +0000

We mentioned previously that using porous pavers is an effective alternative to paving with concrete. They make patios and driveways less erosion-prone and they do not get as hot as hard-surfaced pavement.

Now a company called Biopaver is trying to take things a step further by introducing a new type of paver designed to catch storm water run-off but also to reduce the impact of petroleum-based pollution (from oil and gasoline spills for example – quite a widespread problem).

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