Ideas to save the planet and sensational inventions! 32868

Science and technology are capable of making the Earth a better place, both for us who live in the present and for future generations. As the climate crisis worsens, scientists and startups think about creative solutions to reduce waste polluting water and air. c1x47

Thinking about the importance of all this effort, we selected amazing inventions which, if applied on a large scale, can give us hope in relation to global warming, pollution and other environmental problems facing the world. Check out our list of 20 ideas to save the planet!

1. Biodegradable “plastic” bag 5u6nm

The first of the world-saving inventions brings into focus an item that many use daily: plastic bags. The numbers don't lie, they're made around 56 trillion bags per year globally. This is really bad because the fossil fuels used to produce the item end up reaching the oceans, where it is mistaken for food and kills marine life.

As a solution, the Avani (ecotechnology company based in Bali, Indonesia) presented an ecological “plastic bag”. We put the quotes here because it is made of cassava. That is, 100% biodegradable and soluble in water, without leaving aside the resistance necessary to hold groceries.

2. Technology that rids the oceans of plastic c5l2m

What to do to save the planet? Every year, 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean. In the face of this absurd amount, it can be difficult to find answers to such a difficult question. However, an environmental engineering organization, the The Ocean Cleanup, developed a technology to extract this pollution and intercept the plastic in the rivers before it even reaches the ocean.

The organization founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat, a Dutch entrepreneur-inventor, conducts scientific research on ocean plastic pollution. The system consists of a floating barrier on the water surface that collects marine debris. The project's objective is to place 60 of these systems around the world, with the capacity to clean 50% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (the largest of the five plastic accumulation zones offshore in the world's oceans) in five years.

The project also has the initiative “Interceptor“, equipment that prevents the entry of garbage from rivers into the oceans. According to the organization, approximately 1.000 rivers are responsible for 80% of global plastic pollution in the oceans. In this system, the water current takes the plastic to a mesh conveyor belt, where the water is filtered and returned to the river. The plastic goes on a bus that dumps the waste in on-board trash cans. The collection capacity is 50 to 100 tons of garbage per day.

3. Leather made from pineapple 4w3153

I bet you have a friend who has already recommended vegan leather to you, but is it made from pineapple? This is the proposal of Pinatex, which uses waste from the fruit's leaves to create the "fabric", as the pineapple industry globally produces 40 thousand tons of waste each year, usually being left to rot or burn.

the idealizer, Carmen Hijosa, worked as a consultant in the leather goods industry in the Philippines in the 1990s. There, she observed that the leather produced was of low quality, environmentally unsustainable and involved a production process that was dangerous for those working in the industry. Good for animals, workers and the environment!

4. Mushroom packaging 5pm2c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjlphXoi-4E

Unlike styrofoam, the Mushroom Packaging It is a 100% biodegradable and renewable material, as it comes directly from nature: fungal roots and agricultural residues. By using the power of mushroom growth, these packs are crafted with minimal energy usage.

No light, water or chemical additives are needed. The mycelium (a set of multicellular fungal hyphae) grows around the waste to the desired packaging shape. After a week, growth is stopped by a drying and heat treatment process. Thus is born packaging made of mushrooms, with material properties similar to those of synthetic foam plastics, such as Styrofoam.

5. Plastic bottles transformed into fabric 116m6z

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqzL6ttn988

Another incredible example of sustainable technology, the REPREVE is an State-of-the-art fabric made from all kinds of recycled materials, including plastic bottles. who manufactures it Unifi, which has already managed to recycle more than 31 billion plastic bottles worldwide.

The first part of the process is to send recycled plastic bottles and post-industrial waste (including the company's own) to a conveyor belt where they are sorted and cleaned. After that, they are cut into flakes, which go through several stages of melting. The last step is air jet texturing, which changes the physical shape of the fiber.

Thus, the REPREVE is present in quality clothing from many brands, such as Patagonia, Quiksilver and Roxy, Guess, Aeropostale, Volcom, among others. Household items, shoes and even automotive items also adhere to this sustainable technology, such as Ford, which uses it to make car interiors.

6. Residential waste becomes cooking gas 3n486n

How about transforming the garbage from your house to fuel your gas stove? The HomeBiogas 2.0 It is a kind of small tent that can be set up outside, like the garden or backyard, where you will put your leftover food. With the help of methanogenic bacteria, food waste is transformed into gas that can be used on the stove to cook food.

O autonomous anaerobic digestion system treats organic waste (food waste, animal manure and human faeces) properly. The result of decomposition is biogas and liquid organic effluent. In addition to being one of the great ideas to save the planet, it also generates savings!

7. Packaging rings for ecological drinks 3x2q6e

Almost half of the plastic waste generated worldwide comes from plastic packaging, which is mostly non-biodegradable. O Echo Six Pack Ring (E6PR) It's one of those six-pack rings commonly used in beverage transport. the difference is that brewing waste are part of its composition. Perfect for replacing environmentally problematic plastic rings!

They're used Wheat and barley residues from breweries, along with other compostable materials, withstanding high levels of humidity and the weight of the cans contained. So, the E6PR it is not harmful if ingested by animals and degrades in a matter of weeks if left in the environment. It has been used by craft breweries in the US, South Africa, Australia, Poland, Scotland and the Solomon Islands. Corona was the first major beverage company to use it.

8. Beer bottles turned into sand 1o6e68

Did you know we're running out of sand? That's because of its high use in civil construction and road paving, for example. In this way, two-thirds of the world's beaches are retreating. While most bottles were accumulating in landfills, with no better use, a New Zealand company presented one of the ideas to save the planet.

appear the Beer Bottle Sand Machines, machines that turn bottles into sand-like material. The process starts with a laser that drives a wheel of small steel hammers rotating at 2800 rpm. A vacuum system removes silica dust and the label as the bottle is sprayed. That's 200 grams of sand substitute material in just 5 seconds.

9. River currents as a source of energy 55um

Brazil is one of the largest producers of hydroelectric energy, however, the structures used have major socio-environmental impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to find sustainable technology alternatives. That's where the watertor, a kind of micro power plant capable of enhancing energy production without causing damage to the environment.

Responsible for this sustainable technology is the company Water Motor Energy Technologies. It consists of a device that generates hydrokinetic energy. In other words, it uses the current of rivers, through a rotating turbine that sits in the slowly moving water and collects energy to generate electricity. This is great because it prevents the construction of dams and other structures that negatively affect the environment.

10. Technology to clean oceans 2d595n

When we think about “what to do to save the planet”, many of the initiatives are linked to the ocean. Created in 2016 by Australian Pete Ceglinski, Seabin Projectt uses a device that looks like a sucker to clean oceans, currently operating in more than 53 countries. Based on ocean technology and marine health data systems, the aim of the project is to remove and prevent pollution from entering the waters, as well as driving behavioral changes on land.

Yes, they believe the final solution is awareness, education, prevention, policy and behavior change. Since its inception, the technology platform has evolved into a full-service offering, including community engagement, marine data, environmental services and impact reporting to inform and guide future ocean health policies for cities and governments. Not to mention that more than 1.400 tonnes of pollution is being removed from the water by Seabin's global fleet every year. Incredible!

11. Dirt from the water 575h7

Just imagine, taking a portion of extremely dirty and unsafe water, seeing it become clean and drinkable in a matter of seconds. That's the power of polyGlu, a coagulant made from fermented soybeans. It mixes between dirt and pollutants, causing the dirt to separate and sink.

One gram of this powder can treat up to 5 liters of polluted water., being one of the great ideas to save the world as it can help improve water quality in third world countries.

12. Transparent solar s 6o2i15

With the potential to be a game changer in of expanding the scope of solar energy, Solar Transparent is a state-of-the-art technology that captures and uses light energy through any glass surface. That is, it would be possible to generate electricity from windows in offices, houses, the sunroof of cars and even smartphones.

It was in 2020 that the researchers in the US and Europe have achieved full transparency for solar glass. That was a challenge is a counterintuitive idea. Solar cells absorb sunlight (photons) and convert them into energy (electrons). If a solar glass is transparent, sunlight will through the middle, but new technology is changing how solar cells absorb light. This recent invention is likely to kick-start a clean energy revolution!

13. Sustainable Toothpaste Pills 8522x

As toothpaste pills are small tablets that foam and quickly become toothpaste when you chew them. They are stored in a glass bottle and are available in two varieties: Naturally Brightening Mint e Fresh Mint with Activated Charcoal.

Do you know why this is cool? You Toothpaste tubes are incredibly difficult to recycle and therefore end up in landfills. Did you see how everyday items are increasingly sustainable thanks to ideas to save the world?!

14. Charging electrical devices without electricity 556x34

Now, let's talk about an innovative way to charge electrical devices. As much as electrical energy is an efficient form of energy, the use of Waterlily Micro Turbine allows s to continue browsing, chatting or filming on the go, without having to resort to a shot.

The device has dual function: uses wind or hydro energy to recharge your smartphone or GoPro, for example. It's perfect for campers, hikers, rowers, cyclists and anyone who is often outside, because of its portability too. In this way, the turbine allows the collect clean, sustainable energy from your natural environment!

15. Shower that creates a sensation of more water 5r3y5k

Nebia by Moen is a spa shower that differentiates itself from its peers by using an exclusive water delivery system that guarantees greater pressure. In addition, it also doubles the water coverage of traditional showers. The superior bathing experience is given through atomization, the process of breaking water down into tiny droplets.

All this patented spray technology from Nebia by Moen creates the sensation of more water, while actually using 45% less when compared to a standard showerhead. Deserves a place among inventions to save the world!

16. Portable Solar Oven 4h1q1s

Those who love to be in charge of the barbecue usually have a deep understanding of the principles of wood and charcoal. However, burning such fuels is not good for the environment. That's why a great solution for activity is sunlight! THE gosun is a company that uses solar energy for cooking, lighting and many other things. In other words, a reference in sustainable technology!

By combining the evacuated tube design with a backup electric to allow cooking after sunset, the GoSun Fusion is an hybrid solar cooker – works with energy from sunlight, in addition to having a lithium battery charged by a photovoltaic during the day. It is portable, it can even go in a backpack for some camping trip. With an outer box and weighing just under two kilos, the oven kitchen meals or boil your water for breakfast, using only sunlight.

17. Polluted air turns to pen ink 5r2k5l

A stick pen that applies ink made by collecting pollution? We have! When using the Kaalink, a device that filters soot released by vehicles, discovered a way to turn the particles that pollute the air into pen ink. The first step is to retain the particles that come out of the exhausts, including micro particles that are harmful to health. It is worth noting that Kaalink can capture up to 95% of them.

A Graviky Labs got the idea from an experiment where they hacked a tool to capture soot from a burning candle and used the closest available solvents, vodka and vegetable oil. After a few years, the result is the air-ink, a completely non-toxic paint and that fills a pen after 45 minutes of vehicular broadcasts captured. The more ink, the less pollution!

18. Floor that transforms steps into clean energy 4l2nu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkEGoBe-EdA

If you thought that ideas to save the planet couldn't get more creative, check out the floor that transforms the mechanical energy of your steps into electrical energy. The founder and CEO of pavegen, Laurence Kemball Cook, developed triangular plates that contain individual generators and fit together to form a floor, where each one is capable of capturing seven watts per step.

Upon receiving the impact of the step, small wheels of these generators are driven and rotate at high speed. The generated energy is sent and stored in a battery, which can supply offices, shopping malls, lit neighborhoods, sports games or music festivals.

the floors pavegen they have already been installed in several locations in England, such as Heathrow International Airport, universities and high-traffic streets. Installations were also carried out in other countries in Europe, Asia, North America, Central America and South America. Top sustainable technology!

19. Drones that plant trees 3b1a6y

A startup flash forest created aerial drones to plant trees 10 times faster than a worker planting with shovels. The goal is to plant 1 billion trees by 2028. As? Modifying machines to launch tree seeds that germinate quickly in the ground! They are equipped with a pneumatic firing system that allows planting pods to be placed at the ideal depth in the soil and enter more complicated areas where human planters cannot reach.

Among the inventions to save the world, this idea combines technology, software and ecological science to meet an absurd demand for effort in reforestation. Not only is it amazing, it also costs less! The work is carried out at a cost 80% cheaper than traditional tree planting methods.

20. Roads made from recycled plastic 6j4073

Last but not least, sustainable technology that promises to reduce road construction time to intervals of days rather than months. PlasticRoad, a modular paving structure made from recycled plastic. Because of its composition, it has a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional road structures and guarantees a longer lifespan.

The structure also has a hollow space that can be used to temporarily store water, avoiding flooding with heavy rains. Other benefits involve reductions in the cost, time and noise associated with excavation, as the hollow space can also be used for cable and pipe installation. It is a remarkable idea among the inventions to save the world, after all, there are a number of environmental impacts related to road construction.

So, what's your favorite invention among ideas to save the planet?

Learn more 2l2m1s

Since we're talking about ideas to save the planet, take the opportunity to check out one of its infinite beauties in the article See how was the total eclipse of the Moon.

Sources: The Insiders, CNET