People across the U.S. are engaging in diverse eco-friendly initiatives, from rescuing wildlife and planting native gardens to promoting renewable energy and reducing fire risks, demonstrating widespread community commitment to environmental sustainability as 2025 approaches.
Artist Sam Shoemaker built a 26-mile ocean-crossing kayak from mycelium, demonstrating its durability by surviving seasickness and a whale encounter, and highlighting fungi as an eco-friendly alternative to plastics.
A North Raleigh park experienced a significant reduction in mosquito bites this summer after installing eight pesticide-free, eco-friendly mosquito traps from Biogents, which have effectively caught over a million mosquitoes and are part of a broader initiative to implement safer mosquito control methods across North Carolina.
Rechargeable USB-C batteries from Paleblue are a practical, eco-friendly alternative to disposable alkaline batteries, offering fast charging, long cycle life, and convenience without needing a dedicated charger, making them a smart choice in 2025.
Chipolo has launched rechargeable versions of its item trackers, the LOOP and CARD, with a six-month battery life, extended Bluetooth range, and eco-friendly features, offering a competitive alternative to AirTags and emphasizing sustainability and market diversity.
Apple is reportedly introducing a new premium case material called TechWoven for the iPhone 17 Pro, replacing the previous FineWoven cases. The new material appears to be made from recycled plastics and may include a new accessory called a Crossbody Strap, suggesting potential new Apple or third-party accessories. The cases will come in multiple colors and feature lanyard holes, aligning with Apple's eco-friendly and design updates.
Switching from disposable plastic utensils to biodegradable bamboo alternatives can significantly reduce microplastic ingestion, which poses health risks and harms the environment, as bamboo is sustainable, durable, and free from harmful chemicals.
Zillow's analysis of millions of listings reveals five key home trends for 2025, driven by technology, sustainability, and comfort. Buyers are increasingly interested in homes that are resilient to natural disasters, eco-friendly with features like solar panels and EV chargers, and offer cozy, affordable living spaces. Additionally, there's a growing demand for wellness-focused designs, such as wet rooms, and vintage-inspired interiors that add character to modern homes.
Cheryl Hines promoted her beauty line, Hines + Young, by posting a video on Instagram featuring her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., showering in the background. The video was part of a Black Friday sale campaign for her eco-friendly beauty products, which she launched with her daughter in 2023. The brand aims to reduce plastic pollution in the beauty industry.
Researchers at the University of Limerick have developed a method to grow organic crystals for energy-harvesting using piezoelectricity from amino acids. This eco-friendly approach could replace lead-based materials in electronics, reducing environmental impact. The technique involves shaping crystals with silicon molds, potentially powering devices through everyday forces. This innovation, published in Physical Review Letters, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, with significant implications for consumer electronics and medical devices.
'Good Morning America' is offering exclusive Deals and Steals for the home, featuring products such as Mr. Lid containers, GIR utensils, Mahogany kitchen linens, SLANT Collections barware, Observer Tools flashlights, and Discover Night pillows. Additional deals include items from Linens & Hutch, Jory, Pure Fiber, House No.23, SBLA BEAUTY, EARTH Wood Goods, EarthSmart Life, Blue Planet Eco-Eyewear, Pristine Sprays, SeaBear Smokehouse, WallyGrow, Catherine Weitzman Jewelry, and Sheets & Giggles. These products range from kitchen essentials to eco-friendly items, with discounts of up to 55% off and free shipping on select items.
Fairphone introduces Fairbuds, wireless earbuds designed with repairability in mind, featuring seven replaceable parts, replaceable batteries, and a two-year warranty extendable to three years. Made with fair and recycled materials, the Fairbuds also offer active noise-canceling, Bluetooth 5.3, and a Fairbuds app for customization. This move challenges the industry norm of disposable wireless earbuds and sets a new standard for eco-friendly, repairable gadgets.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have developed a method to create recyclable and stable polymers from plant cellulose, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. By using commercially available molecules derived from cellulose, the researchers were able to produce a variety of polymers that can be fully recycled. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for the production of environmentally friendly materials and could lead to the development of high-performance materials for optical, electronic, and biomedical applications.
Keurig plans to address its single-serve coffee waste issue by introducing 100% compostable coffee pods called K-Rounds, which contain no plastic or aluminum and are wrapped in a thin cellulose coating. The new pods will require the use of the Keurig Alta machine, designed specifically for brewing eco-friendly pods, and are set to enter beta testing this year with a potential consumer release in 2025. The K-Rounds will be available in various sizes and grinds to brew espresso, regular coffee, and iced coffee drinks, and will be marked with a code for the brewer to determine the proper extraction profile and pressure for optimal flavor.
Vinegar can be used to clean windows, coffee makers, bathtubs, showers, and kitchen sinks effectively, but it should not be used on marble, granite, or natural stone countertops, hardwood floors, cast iron pots and pans, or electronic screens. It may be used cautiously on dishwashers and washing machines. Vinegar's antibacterial and antifungal effects depend on the contact time with the surface, and it should never be mixed with bleach or ammonia.