Aimee Lutkin
More From Aimee Lutkin

How Millennials Are Bringing Houseplants Back Into Style
The popularity of houseplants waxes and wanes, but with cultural strife comes the rise of potted greenery—all perfectly groomed for Instagram, of course. And millennials are leading the trend in a big way.

Coral Reefs In Central America Are Finally Getting Healthier
The four countries boarded by the Mesoamerican Reef have banded together to protect this important marine life ecosystem, boosting their own economy in the process.

This Company Builds Hives You Can Install In Your Living Room
In an effort to raise awareness about our most important pollinator, the Beecosystem has developed a hive that can support a bee family in your home, right where everyone can see it.

Oslo, Norway Creates 'Bee Highway' To Help Strengthen Biodiversity
Bees have been dying at a rapid pace around the world but Oslo has been working to increase the bee population in its city by focusing on how making a home for bees creates a better home for humans.
-1516213272378.jpg?position=top 640w)
Popular U.K. Grocery Store Vows To Get Rid Of Plastic By 2023
Iceland Foods has been leaning on plastics for its well-known frozen food line in the U.K. They've decided they have the technology to get rid of plastic and make their packaging recyclable—and no excuse not to.

Aldi Announces New Line Of Affordable Vegan Options
By backing their own line of vegan and vegetarian products, Aldi is making these delicious treats far more accessible—and affordable.

Costa Rica Sets Goal To Become The First Country To Ban Single-Use Plastic
Costa Rica is making a huge choice to ban single-use plastic after years of sustainability practices that have improved the country's tourism.

The Best Sustainable Tiny House Innovations In 2017
Tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer lower prices and unique innovations in housing. They're also becoming more and more sustainable.

Artist Turns Plastic Waste Into Giant Sculptural Installation
An Indonesian artists is trying to draw attention to the pollution of water around his country's shores by making gigantic works out of discarded plastic.

The North Face Is Making Shirts From Recycled Bottles To Clean National Parks
A new lines from The North Face is helping to find a use for waste left behind by tourists in national parks, while also innovating more sustainable means of production for clothes.

The European Union Is Working To Eradicate Plastic Waste By 2030
Changes in how European countries have been largely dealing with their plastic waste means the government needs to come up with a solution fast. They're turning to recycling.

3 Women Are Rowing Across The Atlantic To Fight Plastic Pollution
Though they've never done anything quite like it before, Status Row is embarking on a seven week journey across the ocean in order to support the biggest ocean cleaning charity in their country.

Food Delivery Service DoorDash Is Using Its Network To Feed The Hungry And Reduce Waste
DoorDash has a network in place for connecting food to people, and logistics are often the biggest hurdle for restaurants who want to donate their excess food to the hungry. This company is offering their network and social capital to both reduce food waste and make sure the people who need it are getting healthy, quality meals.

This College Wants To Be Fossil Fuel Free By 2019
A government mandate has forced the community college system to upgrade their energy systems, but they've actually been wanting to do it for decades, anyway.

The United Kingdom Will Ban Pesticides Harmful To Bees
The severe drop in bee population is a danger to humanity, and a problem that can be alleviated by humanity through legislation.

Costa Rica Runs On Green Energy For Record Breaking 300 Days
This is the longest Costa Rica has run the country's power sources on renewable energy in the last three years.

Engineers Have Developed A System To Make Houses Float During Flooding
The Buoyancy Foundation Project is encouraging people in certain flood risk areas to consider retrofitting their homes with a foundation that floats, but its being met with resistance in the U.S. despite success in many communities around the world.

This Company Uses Agricultural Waste To Make Eco-Friendly Packaging
Farmers in India produce agricultural waste that often ends up polluting the atmosphere in fires. This company is trying to eliminate the damage to air quality while also replacing plastic with a new biodegradable material.

Patagonia's Newest Line Highlights Sustainable Hemp Fabric
Patagonia created a line of clothing from hemp-based canvas, using a more durable and sustainable fiber. Hemp is grown easily in many regions, and doesn't require intense irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides for a successful crop.

How This Small Town In Mexico Uses Solar Power For Economic Justice
Ucareo is a small town in Mexico that could be vulnerable to predatory energy companies looking for land to develop. They're taking steps to make sure energy generated in their area will go benefit the community first.

Starbucks Is Offering $10 Million To Come Up With A Compostable Cup Design
Starbucks has been working to find a solution to their coffee cup waste issue. Now, they're letting the public help.

Research Suggests The Best Thing You Can Do For The Earth Is Avoid Meat And Dairy
This study suggests that a vegan diet may be best for the environment.

This Edible Coating At Costco Can Double The Life Of Your Produce
This edible coating helps produce, including avocados, extend their shelf life, which ultimately cuts down on food waste.

The Biggest Vertical Farm In The World Is Breaking Ground In November
One of the biggest airline food providers is starting construction on a vertical farm in Dubai as a solution to demand for fresh greens and a severe water shortage.

Scientists Discover Thriving Coral Reefs Under Oceanic Volcanoes
Researchers from marine life advocates Oceana have discovered a surprising new world under the sea near Sicily.

Starbucks Announces Plan To Ban Straws From All Stores
Starbucks is ramping up its sustainability efforts with a plan to eradicate the use of plastic straws in its assembly line.

Honeybees Are Being Saved By Dogs Trained To Sniff Out Bacteria
It's challenging and laborious to detect this bacteria that decimates bee populations, so an apiary inspector trained a dog to do it. They're amazing.

This Classroom In The U.K. Is Producing 1.5 Times The Energy It Needs
New technologies means that instead of sucking power off the energy grid, buildings can feed back into it, powering other buildings and even cars.

Scientists Say Trees In Cities Can Trap As Much Carbon As A Rainforest
New technology has allowed scientists to more accurately estimate how much carbon trees absorb, and the results may change how green spaces in cities are planned.

Sir David Attenborough Is Telling People How To Help Bees In Their Backyards
If you see a bee who looks confused or disoriented, it may not be sick. It just needs a little help from a friend.

U.K. Manufacturers Plan Paper Straw Factory As Restaurants Drop Plastic
A company of packaging experts are looking into the future and seeing a world without single-use plastic.

Animals Are Becoming Nocturnal To Avoid Interacting With Humans
Animals are starting to avoid daytime hours as a means of avoiding humans.

Prince's Paisley Park Promises To Remain Meat-Free In His Honor
What can and can't be served at Paisley Park has been contested in the past, as Prince had very specific rules when he was alive. But on this issues, the museum and estate are standing strong.

Ben & Jerry's Is Campaigning For Wind Energy In The UK With Special Flavors
Every Wednesday in the UK will be "windy," with flavors meant to draw attention to the loss of wind technology development in the country.

Pope Francis Brought Oil Executives To The Vatican And Demanded They Switch To Clean Energy
Pop Francis has been a vocal support of clean energy, and the need to take a stand against climate change before it's too late. Now, he's following up.

Tokyo Announces Plan To Install Solar Roads In Time For 2020 Olympics
The installation of solar panels into our roadways could be world-changing, but the expense is still prohibitive. By introducing it before the Olympics, Tokyo is giving solar roads a chance to grow in popularity and perhaps lower in cost.

India's Prime Minister Announces Plan To Eliminate Single-Use Plastic By 2022
India is being praised for showing "world leadership" by instituting the ban, but UN officials warn we still need to do much more to keep plastics from running into the ocean and destroying marine life.

Mars Inc. Is Spending $1 Billion On Bringing Sustainability Into Its Production Line
The food and candy company is getting ahead of competitors with their new sustainability program, confident they'll be paid back financially for their investment in the future.

Chile Just Became The First Country In The Americas To Ban Plastic Bags
The country has gone beyond their promise to ban plastic in only coastal communities and expanded to the entire country, setting an example for the rest of the continent.

This Massive Sculpture Is Made From Defunct Escalator Stairs
A historical site in Sydney decided they needed to refurbish their escalators, leaving behind five tons of old wooden treads. They've found the most beautiful way to repurpose them.

These Countries Are Banding Together To Create A Safe Haven For Sea Turtles
Turtles are disappearing at an astonishing rate, as their natural habitats extend beyond human borders. The Philippines has begun an initiative to protect turtles in the Coral Triangle, but they need Malaysia and Indonesia to join them.

Unilever's New Beauty Line Is Good For Your Face And The Planet
Their affordable new line comes with several innovations that might change how beauty products are made—and even how you shower.

New Sustainable Coffee Initiative Launches In Nicaragua
With the coffee industry accounting for more than half the agricultural business in the country, the way to maintain sustainable production is via communication. This new network focuses on making coffee production good for the planet and workers.

Californians Are Pushing To Make Dog Food In Shelters Vegan
A new proposal suggests that feeding dogs vegan meals will have a positive outcome for the environment—though it is hotly debated whether or not it will be positive for the dogs.

As Chains Turn Meatless, Veganism Gets Mainstream Boost
Developing new plant-based protein meals is now seen as an opportunity for market growth in big companies, rather than a threat to their way of life.

This Home Is Both Heated And Cooled By The Earth
An architecture firm was approached with the challenge of building a home that fit with the landscape rather than destroying it—and they came up with some brilliant solutions.

'Beyond Meat' Premieres Plant-Based Sausages For Healthy Grilling
The company's meatless burger patties have done great, moving from one grocery store to over five thousand in less than two years. These sausages are the next step in their vegan innovation.

Millennial Shopping Habits Show They Spend More With Eco-Friendly Brands
Millennials are spending billions of dollars every year, and they care about where that money is going. A new study shows that if your brand doesn't care about the Earth, young people are less likely to trust it.

Hawaii Commits To 100% Renewable Roads By 2045
Hawaii is working hard to divorce its economy from imported fossil fuels. Local government is coming in to meet the state's needs with a commitment to renewable transportation.

Dell And Lonely Whale Launch Collaboration To Keep Plastic Out Of The Ocean
An open source network for companies has been developed by Dell and Adrian Grenier's Lonely Whale foundation that will hopefully developed a pipeline that intercepts plastic before it gets to our waterways.
-1514482452870.jpg?position=top 640w)
This Beauty Company Gives You DIY Raw Ingredients To Cut Out Waste From Products
LOLI is taking the long history of mixing skincare products at home and making it so much easier.

Energy Company Wants To Build Entire Island For Wind Farm Off The British Coast
As locations for windfarms near coastal lines dwindle, one company is proposing an extremely ambitious solution that they say will produce more energy and save money in the long run.

There Are Now 'Food Pharmacies' That Dispense Fruit And Vegetables
San Francisco is mimicking a successful program in Boston where doctors are able to refer patients to a food pantry with a specialty in nutrition.

A New Renewable Energy Record Has Been Set In Germany
Germany is working to meet its goal of being at 60 percent renewable energy by 2050, and numbers from 2017 indicate they're moving faster towards their goal than they realized.

These Prefabricated 'Hobbit Homes' Are The Cutest Way To Have A Green Roof
Green Magic Homes combines the house of your fantasies with a dream for a greener Earth.

'Sponge Cities' Combat Floods By Replacing Cement With Wetlands
"Sponge Cities" are a new initiative designed to contend with climate change and rising water in cities built to reject rain water, rather than absorb or use it.

A Grocery Store Is Selling Fresh Produce It Grows Right On Its Own Roof
A grocery store in Montreal wants to give customers the freshest produce they can provide so they decided to convert the store's roof into a 25,000 feet certified organic garden complete with eight beehives to produce honey as well.

Dutch Citizens May Soon Bike To Work On Recycled Toilet Paper
In a country known for its biking, researchers in the Netherlands may have discovered an innovative way to turn used toilet paper into a building material that can be used to produce bike lanes around local cities.

America's Biggest Shopping Mall Now Offers Vegan Fast Food
Mall of America is welcoming a vegan chain from Texas into its food court, so vegans can find what they need in literally every department.

Pizza Hut Now Offers Vegan Pizza In The Entire United Kingdom
Pizza Hut tested out their vegan pizza recipe in a few locations, and the success of their product has lead them to expand to over 200 locations.

Nikki Reed Is Using Dell's Gold E-Waste Scraps To Make Incredible Jewelry
Dell wants to draw attention to the global issue of e-waste, and encourage people to recycle their old electronics. They're upcycling the gold from their circuitboards into a beautiful line of affordable jewelry with actress and activist Nikki Reed.

New Carbon Calculator Will Help You Make Better Choices For The Planet
A revamped carbon calculator is encouraging people to pick up the slack on reducing carbon emissions in a few simple steps.

This Solar-Powered Prefab House Can Be Installed In A Single Day
A company in Italy has figure out how to set up a beautiful prefabricated house in a single day that can also be made energy independent with solar panels—and it can be easily folded up and put away too.

Waste Will Be Turned Into Green Energy For New York Residents
New York City is working on emptying its landfills by taking organic, compostable food waste and converting it into methane gas that can power homes, trucks, and fill natural gas pipelines.

An Architecture Studio Is Building Luxury Homes With Off-The-Grid Features
The crown jewel of this architecture firm's award winning designs features a garden that keep the owners fed year round—and their chickens too.

A Popular Way To Deal With Food Waste: Eat It
A campaign targeting food waste is giving amazing suggestions for how to limit consumer's contribution to the problem, with recipes, tips and advice that will change how you relate to your fridge immediately.

An Airline Is Starting To Serve Sustainably Sourced In-Flight Meals That Are Actually Good
Singapore Airlines wants to start feeding passengers food grown locally in the countries they fly to, as a way to make flying more sustainable—and delicious.

Disposable Coffee Cups Could Get Taxed In The United Kingdom
In Britain alone, 2.5 billion disposable cups end up in the trash every year. The government has had success with taxing plastic bags. Will taxing cups work to reduce waste?

13-Year-Old Water Activist Is Nominated For A Children's Peace Prize
Autumn Peltier has been working to protect clean water since she was only eight, inspired by her activist aunt and her connection to mother earth.

Free Grocery Store Goes From Art Project To Feeding Thousands
A group of volunteers have grown the concept of a two week art project into a full-fledged free grocery store with four locations that saves $22,ooo worth of food every week. Even better, they're feeding those in need, no questions asked.
-1516384956609.jpg?position=top 640w)
Reforestation Is Becoming A Booming Business
Changes in technology and agriculture have made planting trees easier and less expensive, while changes to the climate have raised demand for the service.

New Water 'Refill' Stations Encourage People To Ditch Plastic For Free
City to Sea is an organization that is working to end plastic waste when it comes to drinking water, by simply encouraging people just to ask to refill their bottles. It's working.

This Small Town In Wales Has Gone Completely Plastic-Free
The village of Aberporth has gotten all of its local businesses to commit to ending plastic, after a local campaign merged with a larger awareness of how plastic is harming marine life.

This City Processes All Of Its Sewage Through Its Unique Wetlands
A city in India has had a system in place for purifying millions of gallons of waste every day into clean water and fertilizer for fish and plants. The old system is being threatened by encroaching real estate markets.

Architecture Firm Builds Sustainable Micro-Apartments That Fit Into A Parking Spot
In many cities that have been designed to prioritize cars, housing is experiencing a shortage. One design firm is suggesting we turn parking space into living space.

Making Toast Is The Easiest Way To Combat Food Waste
One waste battling organization is telling people that instead of letting their bread go stale and musty on the counter, they should learn how to properly preserve food in the freezer.

Green Cleaning Supplies Are Getting So Popular Tesco Is Starting Its Own Brand
Whenever a big chain decides to make its own brand, it signals a big change in consumer habits that they don't think is going away anytime soon. Tesco, a popular chain in the U.K., is turning to eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

Mobile And Solar-Powered Recycling Plant Turns Trash Into Tiles
Trashpresso takes plastic bottles and turns them into architectural tiles, and it could produce so much more. Right now, it's on display at the London Design Festival and people are excited about its future.

India Turns To Solar To Get Power Into Every Home By End Of 2018
Homes outside the standard electrical grid will be set up with solar power panels and battery packs, introducing households that have never had electricity to a clean, renewable energy source.

Parisians Turn To Bikes During Successful 'Car Free' Day In Paris
A lot of us are dependent on our cars, but sadly, gas fumes aren't great for the environment. Recently, cities around the world have begun practices "car free" days to promote alternative modes of transport, like biking and public transit.

Recycled Oyster Shells Make Eco-Friendly Ingredient For Cement
Oyster shells contribute to landfill waste while oyster beds suffer. Now scientists are starting to organize industries who need the shells for business, helping to make seafood far more sustainable.

Iconic LA Palm Trees Will Soon Be Replaced By More Sustainable Tree
Palm trees are taking a hit in Los Angeles, where rising temperatures has made sustaining them a difficult proposition.

Unique New Park Brings Russia's Diverse Terrain Into The City
A new park opened near Red Square featuring all of Russia's many regional climates, shaking off the country's old vision of what a green space should look like.

People Who Start Buying Organic Rarely Go Back, Says Recent Study
Researchers have discovered that once people decide to move away from conventional farming products, the preference for organic grows exponentially—and it sticks.
-1507840258150-1507840260166.jpg?position=top 640w)
World's First Solar-Powered Train Ready To Launch In Australia
An Australian non-profit is restoring a short track with classic train cars that run on new technology. It's an experiment that could grow into a whole new form of locomotion.

This Vegan Butcher Shop's Food Truck Is Hitting The Road
This "butcher shop" is popular for vegans as a place to pick out a variety of fresh vegan sausage and "meat" cuts for their own cooking, but they want to break out onto the open road and show more people what they can do.

A Nonprofit Is Rescuing Food Waste By Turning It Into Soup For The Hungry
La Soupe has kept hundreds of thousands of food waste out of landfills and turned it into nourishing meals for Cincinnati's kids, who struggle with poverty to a degree far above the national average.

This Nonprofit Is Reusing Plastic Bottles To Light Up Homes Without Electricity
Philippines-based nonprofit launched Liter of Light, a project they think will revolutionize people's dependence on electricity while also providing people with jobs and a means of recycling the island's enormous number of plastic bottles.

This Underground Farm Helps Power The Building That Houses It
Plantagon has developed an indoor growing system that cuts down on energy use through the whole building, saving on heating costs and water usage while maximizing food production.

How Green Energy Gives New Life to a Historic London Power Plant
London is a city known for its history, but when it comes to energy, innovation can be key to taking care of the planet. One often overlooked plant in London powers most of the city via an underground tunnel infrastructure.

Scientists Use Sound Waves To Destroy Algae In Water-Supply Lake
A device that emits sonar waves is breaking down toxic fish-killing algae as it blooms in New Zealand's drinking water. Even better? It's run with solar power.

Artist Transforms Landfill Waste Into 'Plasma Rock' Material
"Plasma Rock" is a way to create renewable building resources from the stuff people have thrown in the trash, and one artist and designer is making a point to show we can put landfill waste into creative projects.

Students Build Solar-Powered Tiny House For Off-Grid Green Living
Tiny houses have long been a fan favorite for fantasy living, but a small home can be great for the environment, as they're easily outfitted for sustainable energy systems and can be far more easily built with recyclable materials.

Plant-Based Product Sales Have Tripled Since 2016
Consumer choices have shifted towards plant-based materials as the effects of conventional farming on our environment becomes common knowledge.

Britain Is Planning To Ban All Diesel Fueled Cars By 2040
The United Kingdom has just taken a big step in showing their commitment to reducing the environmental risk posed by cars and vans that run on diesel gas. The decision comes from a fear that nitrogen oxide will soon cause a serious risk to public health.

You Can Now Buy Shipping Container 'Tiny Homes' On Amazon
If you've ever wanted your own tiny home with no muss or fuss, you can buy one online for less than a down payment on most apartments.

An Architect Is Pushing To Bring Weather Indoors As A Benefit To All
Professor of Architecture at Ohio University, Kevin Nute, is making a good case for bringing weather indoors based on decades of previous research. In a new essay he explains why bringing outside elements can improve productivity and mood.

Theory Is Using Ethical Wool To Make 100% Sustainable Suits
For their 20th anniversary, the company said they wanted to "look forward" rather than back. In the future, they saw the need for sustainably made clothing that considered the ethical implications of all its elements.

UK Grocery Chain Sells Food Past 'Best By' Date To Combat Waste
U.K. grocery chain East of England is cutting back on the country's food waste problem by offering perfectly good food that's passed its "best by" date at a steep discount.

New Jersey May Turn Their Wetlands Into A 'Climate Change' National Park
As sea levels rise, coastal areas are trying to figure out how to save their communities. One organization is suggesting we let the water in.