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Materials

Translucent Eco-Resins

September 7, 2004

EcoResin™ by 3form is a specially formulated polyester resin which incoporates a 40% post-industrial recycled content (it meets the threshold for LEED credit).
The resins allow natural elements, textures and colors to be embedded in the translucent material, creating a striking effect. The interlayers can be arranged into thousands of combinations. Customization is encouraged by the [...]

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Not Very Meta-Efficient: Plastics

July 30, 2004

Plastics are not very meta-efficient. They are toxic to all forms of life, they don’t biodegrade. Practically all the plastic that’s even been made still exists – either in landfills or in places like the ocean. There are other materials that can often substitute for plastic such as ceramics or rubber. Bioplastic [...]

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Baltix Furniture: “Eco-Buzz” Partitions

July 28, 2004

Baltix makes office furniture out of materials
such as sunflower hulls, wheat
strands and recycled newspaper.
Based in Minnesota, Baltix is positioned close to the source of the agricultural
fiber they use, reducing energy used in transportation.
The partition
pictured above is built with sunflower board paneling. The hulls
were previously burned as waste.
Baltix uses urethane for bonding [...]

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Levy Design: Side Chair

July 28, 2004

This chair, designed by Josh Levy, and inspired by the earlier works of Frank
Gehry, is constructed with recycled corrugated
fiberboard. The surface is soft
and brushed to feel like suede. Corrugated fiberboard consists of
linerboard (the flat exterior) and flute (arched
and sandwiched in between). When the two are adhered together,
they resist bending from all directions.
Designer: Josh Levy
Website: [...]

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Bamboo Flooring

July 28, 2004

Bamboo is inexpensive, looks great and is a renewable resource.
Bamboo flooring is similar in appearance to hardwood but is even more
durable in terms of scuffing, wear and expansion.
The bamboo is harvested in plantations that take only 3-4 years to reach
maturity. Although still not widely used, it is perhaps the most efficient
material for flooring.
 
Purchase [...]

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Where To Get Bioplastic Dinnerware

July 28, 2004

Sometimes, well, it’s just hard to find Bioplastic dinnerware! We’ve found a couple of places that have a good range of biodegradable dinnerware and related items.
SimplyBiodegradable and SinlessBuying carry restaurant-style “to go” dinnerware. Gaiam also sells picnic-style place sets.

Bioplastic dinnerware by Danish designers Papcorn.

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Aerogel Production Methods Improved

July 28, 2004

Aerogel is the world’s lightest solid, as listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is 99.8% air and is made from substances such as silica, alumina, or zirconia. It has a porous and sponge-like structure; more than 99% of its volume is in open space. It has been nicknamed "blue smoke." [...]

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