Twenty aims to dramatically reduce the waste of household products

Dubai Design Week — an annual event celebrating and promoting design and creativity — took place earlier this month, with imaginative minds from all over the world competing for the coveted Progress Prize at the Global Grad Show. This year’s winner, Twenty, sets out to cut down the environmental costs of packaging and shipping household products, like shampoos or cleaners, by offering dry capsules and reusable containers — just add water , and the items are ready for use. Considered to be the largest creative festival in the Middle East, Dubai Design Week takes place at venues throughout the city, with the central hub of the festival being in the Dubai Design District. The competition’s coveted Progress Prize celebrates the next generation of design talent while recognizing the impact of design on society and the environment . Related: How to decode confusing labels on common household cleaners This year, the competition announced Twenty — designed by Mirjam de Bruijn from the Design Academy Eindhoven in The Netherlands — as the winner of the Progress Prize for a collection of dehydrated household products designed to reduce waste and unnecessary emissions by eliminating water content. Judges chose Twenty from 150 selections that came from all over the world, which they then shortlisted to 11 finalists. Since most everyday cleaning products contain at least 80 percent water, Twenty proposes to eliminate the waste and simplify production and transportation with a capsule that you can put into a bottle, add water and then shake to create a cleaning liquid that is just as effective as a store-bought option. “I designed Twenty for people like myself who really want to be sustainable but also have busy lives and need products that are simple, economical, easy to use and fit into their lifestyle,” said de Bruijn. She added that she wants Twenty to be the new standard in household cleaning products, and she is working closely with the university to refine the product while talking to producers and retailers to adopt the perfect strategy for bringing it to market. Brendan McGetrick, the director and curator of the Global Grad Show, said that Twenty is exceptional because it is based on a smart analysis of something that we all need and take for granted. + Twenty Images via Twenty

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Twenty aims to dramatically reduce the waste of household products

Can Asia make sustainable palm oil?

A new report shows that our progress has been marginal, but also illuminates major opportunities for private sector intervention.

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Can Asia make sustainable palm oil?

Staggered volumes help make Portland’s Slate building an energy-efficient marvel

Portland, Oregon’s new mixed-use development , known as Slate, consists of a shifting stack of volumes that reflect the vibrancy and complexity of the neighborhood. The development, designed by Works Progress Architecture for co-developers Urban Development Partners and Beam Development , earned  LEED Gold certification as an energy-efficient complex that takes the curtain-wall system to the next level. The 10-story development has six floors of apartment units, up to four floors of co-working office spaces and around 7,800 square feet of retail space at street level. Its modular, rectangular shapes have a sculptural quality on the east and west elevations, while a flat, clean look dominates the north and south side of the building. Related: Oregon’s Largest Education Building Achieves LEED Platinum Certification The architects worked closely with the glazing contractor to create a unitized curtain-wall system. Dallas Glass installed Wausau Window and Wall Systems, which can be put in place in a fraction of the time needed to install field-glazed systems. Related: Cherokee Mixed-Use Lofts is a LEED Platinum Award Winning Design The facade was thermally improved to respond to the challenges of Portland ‘s climate. This thermal barrier is combined with solar-control, low-e, insulating glass to achieve a high performance for solar heat gain control, condensation resistance and high visible light transmittance. The system also facilitates optimal natural ventilation in order to reduce the reliance of HVAC systems. + Works Progress Architecture Photos by Joshua Jay Elliott , courtesy of Works Progress Architecture

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Staggered volumes help make Portland’s Slate building an energy-efficient marvel

Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

When a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck British Columbia on 17 August, 2015, many were suspicious the event had something to do with a nearby fracking site operated by Progress Energy Canada. Now, the BC Oil and Gas Commission has released a report definitively linking the quake to the underground injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids, making it the strongest known earthquake caused by fracking. Read the rest of Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

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Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

Russia’s historic metro stations captured in awe-inspiring photographs

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Russia’s historic metro stations captured in awe-inspiring photographs

An unmanned Russian supply spacecraft is spinning out of control in orbit

A Russian spacecraft currently in orbit 200km (124.27 miles) above Earth known as the Progress M-27M cargo vessel is spinning out of control as it orbits the Earth. Fortunately, the craft , which was launched from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, does not have any crew on board, but unless control can be regained, the spacecraft will return to Earth in it’s out of control spin and will likely explode upon re-entering the atmosphere in a spectacular fashion. The Progress M-27M was designed to carry cargo to the International Space Station and is carrying 2,357kg (5,196 pounds) of fuel and supplies – which should make the fireworks even more interesting. It is not known exactly what could have sent the spacecraft reeling, but a sudden release of gas, an explosion or even a rocket thruster that didn’t shut down could have caused it. In 1966, the Gemini VIII spacecraft piloted by Neil Armstrong had a similar rocket thruster issue and his piloting skills were required to save the craft. Via Phys.org Image via NASA Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: cargo spacecraft out of control , international space station cargo ship , progress m27m , rocket explosion , russian cargo spacecraft , russian space craft , russian spacecraft spinning out of control , spacecraft explosion , spacecraft in orbit , uncontrolled spacecraft

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An unmanned Russian supply spacecraft is spinning out of control in orbit

BSR Conference 2012 New York

The BSR Conference 2012 will help companies create lasting change over the years to come. Bringing together a global community of more than 1,000 leaders from business, civil society, and the public sector, the annual BSR Conference is one of the world’s largest and most influential events devoted to sustainable business. Our 20th anniversary Conference agenda will provide the inspiration, networking, and practical learning to fast forward your progress toward a just and sustainable world.

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BSR Conference 2012 New York

How Aussies are adapting to the carbon tax

Before Australia's carbon tax was introduced, two-thirds of businesses surveyed considered the unclear regulatory environment the biggest barrier to making further progress on carbon reduction.

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How Aussies are adapting to the carbon tax

Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Consumer brands are taking climate change more seriously than ever, but voluntary corporate behavior alone isn’t enough to move the needle.  

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Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Consumer brands are taking climate change more seriously than ever, but voluntary corporate behavior alone isn’t enough to move the needle.  

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Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

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