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Long-term, environmental-scale decisions made easy
CategoriesSustainable News

Long-term, environmental-scale decisions made easy

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: The increasing pace of global warming means that more and more businesses need to take climate into account in their long-term planning. Upstream Tech’s climate modelling software is designed to empower organisations to better manage the risk to, and supply of, natural resources and to act at scale with confidence.

The startup offers two main platforms that quantify decision-making in environmental resource management. ‘HydroForecast’ helps companies better manage their water resources, using neural network models to forecast short-term and seasonal streamflow, along with long-term climatological outlooks. It can be used to minimise spill, optimise reservoir operations, and aid in dam safety and emergency preparedness, while also informing policy decisions, supply management, and energy trading.

Lens is a web-based, remote monitoring platform that improves access to high-resolution satellite, aerial, and environmental data, enabling better monitoring and protection of land around the world. The platform also provides users with tools to analyse this wealth of data to determine site conditions and easily generate reports.

Investment fund Engie New Ventures recently announced that it had invested an unspecified amount in Upstream Tech. Engie stated the investment will enable extensive partnership opportunities and will unlock Upstream Tech’s access to new geographies and use cases across its product portfolio.

Satellite data is being leveraged in a growing number of innovations aimed at environmental management. These include using satellites to predict the next extreme weather event and using satellites to prevent wildfires through better resource allocation.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

On-demand data makes recycling easy
CategoriesSustainable News

On-demand data makes recycling easy

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Despite all of the interest in achieving net zero and reducing waste, recycling rates in the US actually decreased between 2018 and 2021. One of the reasons for this is that regulations vary from state to state, leaving many people confused about exactly what can and can’t be recycled. Faced with this problem, two female engineers at the University of Georgia came up with a solution – a platform that provides users with real-time and location-specific answers to the question ‘can I recycle this?’ 

The platform, dubbed CIRT, provides customers and businesses with on-demand and location-specific data on whether materials can be recycled, composted, or must be thrown to landfill. The company remains in contact with waste management facilities to ensure the information is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. 

The company provides all this information to partnering brands via an API, so that they can optimise procurement and make more sustainable choices on materials. This, in turn, enables them to track and meet ESG goals. 

For customers, information is provided through an app. Brands can also add scannable CIRT QR codes to their packaging, which send customers directly to relevant information on how to dispose of the specific product where they are. And, as a further behavioural nudge, CIRT integrates recycling reminders with regular order updates.

In the archive, Springwise has spotted other innovations making recycling easier, including chemical recycling for unsorted plastics and an inclusive scheme in South Africa.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

An AI tool makes it easy for students to take notes from video
CategoriesSustainable News

An AI tool makes it easy for students to take notes from video

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: As anyone who has tried to learn from videos knows, it can be difficult to search, extract, and summarise important information – all while bouncing back and forth between the video player and a note-taking app. In response to this, Hari Subramonyam, a research professor at Stanford and two colleagues, Yining Cao from the University of California, San Diego, and Eytan Adar at the University of Michigan, have developed a new app called VideoSticker which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help students take notes from video lessons.

The app uses AI to automatically identify and trim objects out of video lessons and place them into a note-taking area. In addition to capturing images, VideoSticker also pulls in key text, aligning it with the imagery. This way, students can easily manipulate images and text and supplement those elements with their own explanations. As a result, the app turns the passive experience of watching a video into an active one, helping students to better engage with the material and retain information.

A preliminary user test of VideoSticker’s effectiveness was conducted using 10 graduate and undergraduate students. During the test, the students completed a 75- to 90-minute note-taking session of a biology class. The researchers reported positive feedback from participants, with particular praise to VideoSticker’s flexibility in navigating between notes and video content.

Next up, the team will partner with other educators to further evaluate and improve VideoSticker before making the tool fully available commercially.

With more and more people turning to videos for educational content, apps like VideoSticker could help to make the learning process easier and more efficient. Other education-based innovations we have spotted recently include an edtech app that lets students upload maths problems through their phone, as well as a platform for students with learning differences and a tool that identifies struggling readers sooner.  

Written By: Katrina Lane

8th September 2022

Email: harihars@stanford.edu

Website: ed.stanford.edu/faculty/harihars

Reference

Energy Efficient Building Suppliers Make It Easy 
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Energy Efficient Building Suppliers Make It Easy 

By Zarkon Group,

Energy-efficient building is much more than a fleeting trend: Around the world, the negative effects of climate change can no longer be ignored, from rising global temperatures to poor air quality caused by pollution. According to NASA scientists, reducing carbon emissions is crucial to turning things around. Further, it must be done on a global scale and within every industry, including home construction and renovation. 

The good news for home builders and remodelers is that energy-efficient, low carbon construction and remodeling isn’t out of reach, no matter your budget or geographic location. Today’s energy-efficient building suppliers are making it easier than ever to achieve net-zero emissions by providing state-of-the-art energy-efficient products and technical advice. Regarding material choice, there are a variety of sustainable options out there, even for homeowners working with a modest budget. 

No matter your architectural vision for an energy-efficient low carbon home, choosing a building supplier that can provide the energy-efficient products and materials you need can make all the difference. Here are a few standout companies in sustainable construction and renovation that you can order from wherever you live.

EEBA/Ecomedes                                                                                                                            

Sourcing and specifying sustainable building materials just got easy at EEBA/Ecomedes.

EEBA.Ecomedes.com is your comprehensive source for top-rated brands and sustainability certifications that you need for residential construction. Easily search by product category, brand, certifications and ecolabels, or greenest products to streamline how your teams source and specify. Once products are selected, easily review all product data and compare competitors. You can also add products to a project and start to calculate impact and evaluate how those selected products help you achieve your project’s preferred rating system.

ecomedes is providing solutions for building owners and designers to save time and money while making  environmental, social, and governance compliance easy. You can get started today at eeba.ecomedes.com.

Small Planet Supply

Founded in 2009, Small Planet Supply is an industry leader in sustainable building supplies, zero-energy education, and technical support while promoting social responsibility. The company was built on the backbone of the Passive House movement, which is widely recognized as the world’s leading standard in energy-efficient construction.  Small Planet’s catalog is full of innovative, sustainable products, including ThermaCork 100% natural cork insulation, created in-house by Small Planet. 

They have two warehouse locations, one in Tumwater, Washington, and one in Vancouver, B.C.,  and typically ship orders within the same or next business day. Shipping rates and carriers are dependent on customer location and package weight. Discounts may be available to local customers that are close enough to take advantage of the company’s reduced-cost truck delivery, which reduces emissions.

Rise

As a certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, Rise has high standards for home improvement product recommendations and endorsements. Rise Approved Manufacturers are judged on a variety of criteria, including whether the company can verify all of their environmental claims and the quality of the work environment where products are manufactured. As an “education-first” marketplace, the company also offers online home sustainability courses for eco-conscious builders at an affordable rate, starting at just $19 per course.

At Rise, energy efficiency is part of the entire purchasing process, and shipping is always carbon neutral, no matter your destination or order size. Rise achieves carbon neutrality by purchasing carbon offsets, and the company retains transparency throughout by providing tracking information and delivery updates via email. 

When ordering directly from Rise, new and existing online customers can take a 10% shipping discount by entering the code RISE10 at checkout. Shipping is available in the contiguous U.S. states and Canada. Canadian customers should place orders at Rise’s Canadian website. 

Eco-Building Products

Much like Rise, Eco-Building Products offers a variety of innovative products and manufacturer recommendations to customers across the U.S. and Canada. Following a lucrative venture in the world of coffee shops, owner Jim Barnes established the company in 2006. Barnes is a dedicated environmentalist and former recipient of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action council’s “Environmentalist of the Year Award.” 

The Eco-Building Products online catalog features green building products and materials at all price points, suitable for eco-conscious DIY home builders and contractors alike, with a wide array of solar energy options. Eco-Building Products is also a good resource for energy efficient van conversion and tiny house supplies and materials. In addition, visitors can find plenty of resources and building tips on its Tiny House Hub. 

At Eco-Building Products, based in Elberta, Michigan, shipping is offered within the contiguous U.S., although international customers may make a special order by calling customer support at (231)-399-0700. 

475 High Performance Building Supply

At 475, customers looking to achieve zero emissions and/or meet Passive House standards have many products to choose from, such as energy-efficient hot water systems and thermal insulation. The company website also provides helpful knowledge resources for the DIY builder in the form of videos, ebooks, and on-demand courses. 

The exclusive North American distributor of Pro Clima air-sealing products, 475 High Performance Building Supply, offers shipping throughout Canada and the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Curbside pickup of select materials may also be available to customers in the following cities, home to 475 High Performance Building Supply warehouses: \

  • Brooklyn, New York
  • Hillsboro, Oregon
  • Ridgefield, New Jersey
  • Waterbury, Connecticut

Going directly to local suppliers is one of the best ways to reduce emissions related to shipping and transit. 

Energy Efficient Products Available At Your Fingertips

Considering all we know about climate change and how every one of our actions can make a difference, there’s really no excuse to look the other way, because no matter where you live, the products and the know-how for taking action are at your fingertips. So when you plan your next remodel or new construction project, be sure to focus on reducing both operational and embodied carbon. Then utilize these companies that supply the energy efficient products and know-how needed to get your home, business, and life on the path to zero wherever you are. 

 

By Amanda Winstead      

Amanda Winstead is a writer from Oregon with a background in communications. She writes on science, business, and many more subjects. She can be reached on Twitter at amandawinsteadd

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in



Reference

A platform makes it easy to turn smartphones into multimedia museum guides
CategoriesSustainable News

A platform makes it easy to turn smartphones into multimedia museum guides

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Almost anyone who has been to a museum will be familiar with audio or multimedia guides – devices that provide still images, video clips, sound effects, music, and spoken commentary to accompany an exhibition. The first of these devices was developed in 1952 at the Stedlijik Museum in Amsterdam, and, over time, they have developed into the familiar iPod-like device still in use today. These bespoke devices can be cumbersome for users and expensive for smaller exhibitions. Now, startup Shoutr Labs has developed a system that is both easy to use and easy to develop.

Shoutr’s platform not only turns visitor’s smartphones into multimedia guides – it also makes it easy for museums and other attractions to develop those guides without programming expertise. It includes a content management system (CMS) with a drag and drop app builder, multilingual content, and the ability to easily manage content. Visitors can access the system on their smartphones without downloading an app.

The system is used together with the shoutr.Boxx, which saves all content in a local storage location. By allowing users to retrieve the data on the attractions’ local wireless network, the shoutr.Boxx removes the need for visitors to use mobile data (a potential issue for holidaymakers with high roaming charges or a poor connection). Shoutr also makes it possible for attractions to incorporate advanced features into their presentation, such as Augmented Reality.

Springwise has spotted several innovations that aim to make the arts more broadly accessible. These include a foundation using digital technology and a floating museum to bring contemporary art to the masses, and an AR art exhibition in the London skyline.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

13th May 2022

Website: shoutrlabs.com

Contact: shoutrlabs.com/en/contact

Reference

Smart threads make it easy to disassemble and recycle clothes
CategoriesSustainable News

Smart threads make it easy to disassemble and recycle clothes

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: In the drive to become more sustainable, the fashion industry faces a number of serious challenges. One major issue is how to recycle clothing that is made from several different materials. Taking the clothes apart in order to recycle their constituent materials is costly and time-consuming, and often leads to a large loss of usable material. Now, startup Resortecs has an innovative solution.

The company has designed ‘Smart Stitch’ threads that dissolve at different temperatures – either 150, 170, or 200 degrees Celsius. This makes it possible to disassemble garments in stages.

In addition to producing the threads, Resortecs has also developed a low-emission thermal disassembly system. Designed for recyclers, this system allows up to 500 kilogrammes of garments to be dismantled at one time.

By combining the threads with the thermal disassembly system, it is possible to recover up to 90 per cent of a garment’s fabric.

The benefits of this circular system could be extensive. In the fashion industry, around 50 per cent of carbon emissions and 75 per cent of water use occurs during the production and material processing stage. By making it easier to recycle, Resortec could reduce the amount of new material needed, leading to big savings in both carbon and water.

And there are also economic benefits to Resortec’s approach. The company claims its threads and disassembly system can deliver a saving of around €0.50 for each pair of jeans.

Springwise has spotted innovators taking a range of approaches to fashion sustainability, from the use of more sustainable materials to resale options for high-end items and closed-loop production methods. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

5th May 2022

Website: resortecs.com

Contact: resortecs.com/contact

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