Young designer, (she’s an undergrad at Western Washington U.), Kristen-Lehua Barcheski has come up with some innovative designs for shipping container housing. Her EIGHTx8 series features concepts that utilize the ubiquitous cargo container as the basic building unit.

The compact, modular nature of the container units makes them an ideal living solution for crowded urban communities. (more…)

Love those fresh and healthy homegrown greens but strapped for space? Think vertical. For a thoroughly modern take on things, check out these living minigarden walls -  modular systems for indoors or out that conserve water – their unique design reduces evaporation and keeps compost moist. The drainage system directs excess water to the base of the installation to prevent the plants in the bottom tier from being over-watered.

Screen systems can even provide extra privacy on your balcony or pretty framing around your windows. Perfect for high stylin’ homesteaders and locavores – just pluck lettuce and herbs off the wall and prepare you and your pals a homegrown salad. (more…)

Brooklyn-based, Palo Samko creates one of a kind sustainable furniture by reclaiming joists and wood beams found in demolished buildings and sourcing his raw materials on a local basis as much as possible. At last month’s ICFF, he added to his collection of tables, chairs and home wares by showcasing new floor lamps, mod mirrors and clocks with a unique spin. The round wall mirrors start at $650 and trippy Salvador Dali-inspired wall & table clocks range from $300 -850. more @ palosamko.com.

O2, the United Kingdom’s leading provider of mobile phones and broadband, have named Nokia’s C6-01 and E7-00 the most environmentally sustainable handsets. The handsets both received a score of 4.1 out of 5 for their reduced environmental impact, sustainable components and the environmental ethics of the manufacturer. Coming in at a close second, Samsung’s Galaxy Mini and Galaxy Ace, the Sony Ericsson X8 and Nokia’s C7-02 all received a 4 out of 5, by O2’s metric. Manufacturers provide information regarding the nature and source of materials used in production, extraneous features that reduce the number of devices a person could need (i.e. music players) as well as the conditions of labor. Apple’s iPhone was left out of O2’s competition due to certain controversies surrounding the company. Apple has come under criticism regarding the iPhone’s environmental impact, as well as the questionable labor conditions within their factories in China.

• These numbers should be going in the other direction. Global Carbon Emissions at Record High: IEA – yahoo! news
• Prudent plan or political over-reaction? Germany Wants Nuclear Exit by 2020 at Latest – reuters
• Clean up your act…Sewage-Derived Nitrogen Increasingly Polluting Caribbean Ecosystems – sciencedaily
• Endangered wild salmon and farmed fish are not created equal...Judge Won’t Guard Fish Farm from Grand Coulee Flow – myway
• It would appear this is a no-brainer…Energy Drinks Not for Kids, Pediatricians Warn – livescience
• Bubbling Sea Signals Severe Coral Damage This Century – bbc

As we ready for the big summer kick-off weekend here in the Rockies, finding a tasty organic beer is at the top of the must-do list and sourcing it locally makes it all the better.

In February 2010, Asher Brewing Company became the first all organic brewery in Colorado. This top of the line, eco-friendly company aims at brewing premium certified organic ales. All the hops, malts, and barley are grown organically to minimize environmental impact and make a better tasting brew. (more…)

What a great use of wasted space! I’d store old photos in them.

Anyone with some DIY capabilities could probably replicate the concept. It doesn’t look that difficult to execute …famous last words. Word of caution – I’d make sure there was a way to ensure that they were locked/latched in place safely – wouldn’t want to encounter an open drawer on the stairs unexpectedly.

Although it looks like they’re Unicraft Joinery Step Drawers, I can’t find where to buy – anyone with ideas, pls jump in.

via trendhunter.com

There’s going to be a lot of long distance driving going on this holiday weekend and in an effort to help consumers cope with rising gas prices, New York State’s Department of Transportation has provided motorists with some simple steps to save fuel. The recommendations are part of an Eco-Driving Campaign to reduce carbon emissions during the busy summer travel season. The Eco-Driving program offers drivers seven easy actions they can take to reduce their fuel cost by up to $80 for a 700-mile round-trip journey. Luckily, you don’t have to live in New York to put these tips into action!

Here are the 7 tips:

• Removing unnecessary items from the trunk in order to reduce vehicle weight can save three to six cents per gallon. (more…)

Yay – it’s here, Memorial Day weekend! We’re highlighting a collection of sustainable style that’s both casual and born in the USA. Fly that flag, celebrate & honor all the heroes who’ve kept our shores safe over the years.

(above) Not just another tee … from NYC-based artist Kristen Terrano, here’s Cloud Gatherer, a limited-edition, organic cotton tee whose design is inspired by clouds crying on New Mexico’s open landscape. Find via Kil Apparel, an eco friendly clothing company encouraging NYC artists to submit work as part of their curated creative network. $40; slim fit

(above) Eco chic beach bums will bliss out on California made Surfmonk threads … a little luxe for the entire laid back clan, from double-sided bamboo beach/spa/yoga wear to totes, beach blankets, jewelry and more … heaven on earth. (more…)