Desirée Kaplan is a freelance writer based in Manhattan. She focuses on sustainability topics such as innovative green architecture, travel, and business.
Two years ago, 12-year-old Carson Kropfl couldn't fit his skateboard in his locker or backpack, so he found a way to design a new one by upcycling discarded boards. Through this innovation, he created the industry's only non-folding sustainable skateboard which has drawn the attention of prominent investors and companies around the world.
The Rán VII is a new racing yacht that is already making a name for itself around the world. The vessel, which is smaller than it's Swedish team's previous sailboats, was designed to leave behind a lighter footprint with its sophisticated electric motor.
Yoga practitioners can strike their best pose with a little help from subscription boxes which offer tools to help build one's practice. These eight subscription boxes offer expertly curated items that that can help anyone interested in finding their best self.
Every month, Rareform diverts 20,000 pounds of discard billboards from landfills by taking the vinyl material and turning it into chic accessories like totes, cross body bags, duffles and wallets. These unique bags are durable, waterproof, lightweight, and eco-friendly. What's not to love?
Companies around the world are beginning to tweak bikes and make them into even more eco-friendly transportation options. Whether they're made of bamboo, wood, or are just hooked up with efficient tech, these five bike companies offer a greener way to commute.
A new high tech device is changing the way people interact with their clean water. Lōtik has created a sleek sensor the works like a Fitbit for pipes and helps people pinpoint wasteful water habits, burst pipes and water leaks so water can be used more responsibly.
A new restaurant in Boston called Spyce is shaking up the restaurant industry by offering food made by robots. The high tech restaurant hopes to provide healthy and sustainable meals at accessible prices while keeping energy usage low.
Millions of soccer fans around the world will travel to Russia this summer to watch The World Cup. FIFA is planning to minimize the event’s carbon footprint by asking fans to join an online campaign to reduce CO2. Fans who sign the pledge are eligible to win two tickets to the final game.
Whether it's a talkative parrot, a slippery snake or just good old Fido, millions of people nowadays consider their pets part of the family. That's why we've rounded up seven green products for eco-conscious pet owners of every kind.
Movie star turned business mogul, Jessica Alba, has been making headlines ever since she launched The Honest Company. At a recent NYC event, Alba discusses what she has learned through experiences in the green beauty industry and what makes a sustainable company work.
Margot Krasojević's latest architectural project, the Harmonic Turbine Tidal Hotel, pushes the boundaries of traditional designs. The building, poised on the coastline, will harness ocean tides and winds for natural power.
Wedding guest attire is too often worn once and forgotten in the back of a closet. But thanks to the fashion industry's growing sharing economy, you don't have to sacrifice resources for fresh outfits.
Dominique Barnes, Patrick Brown, and Kimberlie Le are leaders in the food industry focused on how to offer more sustainable alternatives. By leveraging science and food research, they are finding ways to create plant-based shrimp, fish and burger alternatives from natural ingredients.
With the summer fast approaching, plans for sunny beach days and long hiking trips are not far away. Before grabbing your next sunscreen off the shelf, read on to learn how to choose the best type of sunscreen while avoiding the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Andrea Sanders, founder of Be Zero, knows a thing or two about creating a green beauty regimen. The popular author and educator teaches people every day how to create sustainable and mindful habits. And today, she's giving Green Mattersa peek inside her purse.
From Fiji to Africa, hotels all over the world are turning to renewable energy sources like geothermal heating and solar panels. These ten properties offer a green destination for eco-conscious travelers looking to keep their carbon footprints light.
A recent report called Smart Parks suggests that connecting national parks with sensors and monitors will help offer useful, real-time communication to park visitors while helping park employees keep better track of things like waste management.
A 1.2-mile stretch of highway near Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport will be able to charge electric cars and trucks as they drive on it because of a special strip embedded in the road.
The facility is expected to open by the end of this year and will generate enough renewable energy to power half of Disney's theme parks in Central Florida.
British company 'teapigs' has removed all plastic from its packaging, thanks to a material made from wood pulp that keeps the company's biodegradable tea bags totally fresh and perfectly eco-friendly.
Kat Von D is famous for her tattoo artistry, but her vegan makeup line is now unveiling a new pallet this May in honor of her company's 10-year anniversary collection. As a vegan and animal activist she makes sure non of her products include animal by-products or testing.
Salt Point Seaweed is a seaweed farming company run by three women in California. The founders hope to make seaweed a more mainstream option for foodies in the United States.
The smaller building which has recently debuted in Virginia offers lower-energy heating and air-conditioning units, LED lighting and energy-saving kitchen equipment.
Micro Mobility will be bringing back to life the iconic, 1950s-era Isetta. An updated design keeps signature features with the addition of modern amenities like electric batteries.
Soma, Parley, and Starbucks are joining forces to fight plastic pollution in our oceans with a limited-edition run of reusable glass water bottles with plastic sleeves made from ocean trash. The bottles, produced by Soma and Parley, will be sold at Starbucks around the US.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to hire Philippa Craddock. This vendor works closely with an organization called drop4drop which provides cleaning drinking water through the World Water Crisis organization.
Cocoa may be a leading factor in deforestation, but as of this month, Oreo will be using cocoa from a program which supports sustainable cocoa farming.
Lacoste removed its crocodile logo from polo shirts and replaced it with some of the world’s most endangered species. Through this limited edition campaign, the company hopes to raise awareness about the threat of extinction for these animals.
They might be known for their sandals and shoes, but they have expanded their product offerings into an unlikely industry. The footwear company now offers a line of natural skincare products.
XEV and Polymaker have teamed up to mass produce cars that will only take a few days to make. The car will be mostly 3D printed and will be able to travel at about 90 miles per charge.
Unlike traditional cardboard boxes that usually add to landfill waste, this plant-based box offers a more sustainable approach to food packaging. PizzaRound will be available in three sizes by the end of this year.
Biofit designs indoor gyms that bring in the outdoors. With eco-conscious materials such as bamboo, nontoxic paint, and tons of plants throughout their workout spaces, these gyms are unlike most you may have seen.
Oat milk has recently skyrocketed in popularity as the newest trend in plant-based milk alternatives. Many consider oat milk to be more eco-friendly than almond milk since almonds need significantly more water to grow.
Levi has created a new model for denim finishing called Project F.L.X. This method adapts the design and development process of denim finishing to a digital process which opens up the possibility of a more sustainable supply chain.
Nike's Circular Innovation Challenge allows regular people to help the company get creative in the area of sustainability. They can either develop new tech for material recycling or design new products using Nike Grind materials.
Nicole Wakley is the founder of Tree, a furniture company that uses eco-friendly materials such as sustainably sourced wood, upcycled materials, and chemical free organic fabrics.
United By Blue is focused on reducing ocean trash and plastic pollution. The company has pledged to remove one pound of trash from the oceans and waterways for every product they sell.
A new eco-friendly resort is set to open in Vietnam. The enormous property aims to be sustainable, while honoring and respecting local culture and history.
Using a unique wrapping technique, the Wikkelhouse is made of sustainable materials and is more durable than it sounds. Wikkelhouse owners can tweak the design according to their desired use or size requirements.
In response to Chile’s wildfire destruction, three dogs are the unlikely heroes helping to replant the local forests. Armed with special backpacks brimming with native seeds, the dogs help regrow trees as they run through destroyed forests.
Located in northern Norway, Svart will be the world’s first hotel to produce its own power and reduce its energy needs by 85 percent compared to other hotels.
Sabrina Simader, Kenya’s first Olympic alpine skier, is the UN Environment’s Mountain Hero. She will also work with the United Nations on the Wild for Life campaign, which aims to end the illegal wildlife trade.
Absolut Vodka's latest video may be their cheekiest campaign to date. The Swedish company highlights its transparent production process and sustainability efforts by featuring 28 naked employees at work in a parody employee orientation video.
An architectural firm based in New York has designed a proposal to address issues of rising sea levels and affordable housing in New York City. The complex, dotted with unique towers will anticipate a significant influx of water over the next few decades.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows in Tahoe has teamed up with the electric service provider Liberty Utilities to operate on 100 percent renewable energy. They will be the first ski resort in the United States to run entirely on clean energy.
Bouqs disrupted the flower industry by delivering sustainable flowers to customer's straight from farmers. The simplified supply chain also eliminates carbon emissions from middlemen.
Amazon recently announced that Prime members will be able to order groceries online from Whole Foods Market. The new service, Prime Now, lets Prime customers pick and choose from a wide range of fresh, organic foods with free 2-hour delivery.
Cal-Earth designed a sustainable home that is fire-proof, hurricane-proof, tornado-proof, and earthquake resistant. The organization teaches people how to build these dome-shaped houses with just a handful of basic materials.
IKEA recently purchased a forest in the U.S. The land spans across 25,0000 acres in Lowndes County, Alabama. This is IKEA's third sustainable forest purchase, intended to boost their efforts to produce environmentally responsible products.
Bureo, a U.S. manufacturer, has tackled ocean pollution by upcycling used plastic into unique products. The company's Net Positiva program in Chile allows them to turn discarded plastic fish nets into items like skateboards and Jenga pieces.
InterContinental Hotels Group has partnered with Diamond Developers to create a fully eco-friendly hotel in The Sustainable City. The property will be powered by 100 percent solar energy and will be the first fully sustainable hotel in Dubai.
American manufacturer, Harley-Davidson is looking to shift gears into the world of electric vehicles. While the brand has become famous over the last century for its loud motorcycles, the Milwaukee-based company plans to add an electric motorcycle to its line within 18 months.
Amborella Organics specializes in natural lollipops. The company combines bits of edible plants like roses, sage, rosemary, lavender, and hibiscus. The biodegradable lollipop stick has seeds inside which can be planted to grow new plants.
Weston Snowboards, a U.S.manufacturer, teamed up with the National Forest Foundation and other likeminded outdoor brands, to launch the Freedom of the Forest campaign. The campaign hopes to raise money for the U.S. Forest Service and maintain forests.
Anheuser-Busch InBev has shifted its operations in the United States to 100 percent renewable energy. They're working on using green energy in their facilities worldwide by 2025. This target will reduce their carbon footprint by 30 percent.
Heatworks and Frog have come together to create a high tech dishwasher that is good for the environment and consumers' budgets. The Tetra's claim to fame is its practical size and ability to use minimal amounts of water. Without the need to hook up to a plumbing system, the only thing a user needs is an electrical outlet.
The Winter Olympics kick off this February in PyeongChang, South Korea. To meet their zero emission goal, the committee has implemented several green initiatives.
The series lifts the veil behind the multibillion-dollar food industry to reveal serious crimes and corruption behind staples foods like fish, chicken, milk, honey, peanuts, and garlic.
A company in Spain is working with the European Union to create an environmentally friendly coffee machine. The machine is designed to use energy and water more efficiently. It also keeps the user connected through high tech features.
A Dutch company is planning to launch the first emission-free barges in Europe this summer. These vessels will be the first autonomous and fully electric barges to operate in the coastal highways between the Netherlands and Belgium.
From fashion to accessories to homeware, the line boasts a wide range of eco-friendly, lightweight items. While they look and feel like leather, the secret behind these bags is a special natural fiber.
Unlike other sponges and cleanup methods, the Oleo Sponge can recover oil and other petroleum products from under the water and poses no harm to the environment.
John Deere has recently bought a robotics startup for $305 million. The technology offers farmers a system that can spot and kill weeds with incredible precision.
Mezcal, tequila's cousin, has been made in the same traditional way for decades. Entrepreneur Richard Bretts has taken a more environmentally sustainable approach to making this Mexican liquor by adding new tweaks t old methods. In doing so, he's been able to make a more eco-friendly mezcal.
As coral reefs continue to die off from increasing ocean temperatures, scientists like Professor Madeleine van Oppen are working to find solutions to save these crucial ocean organisms. Van Oppen and her team are helping restore coral reefs by researching an array of solutions such as genetic manipulations and bacteria administration.
One company has created a product helps keep a woman’s reproductive health private while also minimizing plastic in landfills. After years of research, Lia Diagnostics has designed a pregnancy test that's not only plastic free but also made out of sustainable materials.
Based in Italy's world renown wine region, Salcheto successfully produces environmentally friendly wine by blending technological innovation into the ancient art of winemaking. The Tuscan winery uses organic ingredients and incorporates “off-grid” winery model to reach optimal environmental efficiency.
A new low carbon cruise ship called the Ecoship is bringing a new look to the travel industry. The vessel is designed to be self-sufficient while transporting 2,000 passengers and spreading awareness about environmental sustainability.
Researchers at Kiel University have teamed up with Phi-Stone to make an eco-friendly paint that doesn’t harm barnacles but allows them to be easily removed. This innovation allows boats to move easier so they don’t need to burn more fuel.
To protect its natural environment, Palau, a tiny country in the Pacific, has created the world’s first conservation pledge which will be stamped into every visitor's passport. The statement which promises environmental responsibility and stewardship must be signed before entry into the country is granted.
London's iconic black cabs are going electric and will include modern luxuries like WiFi. Electric stations are being built around the city to support the new electrified fleet of cabs, and there are plans to have 300 charging stations by 2020.
China created a completely electric cargo ship that can travel about 50 miles per charge, and later charge while it’s being unloaded. This new vessel represents a new standard for electric shipbuilders, as it's the first of its kind.
Disney teamed up with the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Groups to create a destination focused on sustainability. Located right outside of France's capital, Villages Nature Paris offers three "worlds" to bring visitors closer to nature.
BMW revealed they are working on creating an electric MINI model. While they already offer a MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid which uses gas and electric batteries, this would be the first fully electric MINI to hit the road.
Carlsberg, a leader in the beer industry, has announced that one of their facilities is now operating on biogas and green electricity. As a result, the brewery produces zero carbon emissions and offers a promising model for brewers everywhere.
Iron Ox, a California tech startup, created a robotic system for greenhouse farming to help grow food locally with low labor costs. The robotic farmers are programed to identify the health status of each plant while tending to their needs.
A new housing development in Austin, Texas aims to make eco-friendly housing units with sustainable features more affordable for the average homeowner.
Dutch designer, Ermi van Oers has created a lamp that can power itself with the energy from living plants. Dubbed, the Living Light, this futuristic luminary offers a fresh look at off the grid renewable energy sourced directly from nature.
After two recent hurricanes destroyed many Caribbean islands, including his own, Richard Branson is encouraging Caribbean governments to shift to more reliable sources of green energy like solar power.
Large companies can buy the right to pollute by purchasing CO2 emissions permits instead of implementing less harmful environmental practices. Chooose makes it harder for businesses to pollute through this system by purchasing and reducing available CO2 emission permits on the market.
Spoiler Alert is a new company that creates software to connect organizations like food producers, food banks, and pantries. This system allows everyone to communicate in real time and keep food waste down by getting it to the right people quickly.
Vespa is releasing an electric scooter called the Vespa Elettrica. The latest addition to the iconic Italian brand will offer a greener way of getting around. As of 2018, users will be able to charge their electric Vespa at any standard outlet.
The Podbike offers an alternative to cars and traditional bikes with a weather protection air cabin and high tech comfort features, making it both a sustainable and practical choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Kroger launched a plan to tackle hunger while eliminating food waste across the company by 2025. The company hopes to meet their goal by teaming up with partners like Feeding America and the World Wildlife Foundation.
Girlfriend Collective is breaking away from the fast fashion crowd and making strides towards more eco-friendly activewear. Every level of their clothing production is in line with their mission to make the most sustainable gym gear possible.
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