The wrap battle continues
PUMPED FOR PLASTIC FREE JULY
With all of the discussion of microplastics in everything from water bottles to cord blood, it's easy to get overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel, but remember there was a gaping hole in the ozone that was many a headline in the 80's? We closed that by collectively cutting out aerosol sprays and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Likewise, there are lots of simple and small swaps that will make a huge impact on waste. So, I say we just recognize it is time to turn off the plastic spigot. This month we are featuring zero-waste heroes that are creatively turning the tide.
GET IN THE LOOP
BIRDS OF A PLEATHER
A fully circular leather and pleather replacement is poised to hit closets next year. CEO Rebecca Mink has been at the leather replacement game for 2 decades and Plhyde's biomimetic plant leather hyde is working with nature, utilizing waste to grow non-toxic, no-sacrifice options.
SPICY DUO
If microplastics in your sushi isn't the spice you crave, try Finneato Fysh Food. The dynamic duo behind the brand wowed us with their Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice. After that... and a successful appearance on Shark Tank, it is harder to come by, but you can get yours at Bestie Vegan Paradise.
LAST STRAW
No one wants to drink out of single-use bottles and the Fellow tumblers are always the family faves. This year's venti-sized hot/cold thermos was extra special as our wonderful friends at Pineapple designed an iconic 10-year anniversary emblem. You can design your own custom tumbler too!
WHAT’S NEW WITH NEAR FUTURISTS
See updates from other NF eco-stars
It’s a wrap
Sway is scaling the next generation of packaging. Their new polybag and retail bag alternatives perform like petro-plastic, but are crafted from regeneratively farmed seaweed, plants, and home compostable polymers. This packaging lasts only as long as needed.
Cruisin for a bruisin
This Plastic Free July, Cruz Foam shares 2 big milestones: securing TÜV certification and launching their new Customers page. From sustainable seafood pioneers like Cultured Abalone to Wine labels like Mondavi Sisters, Cruz Foam is redefining protective packaging for mission-driven (and all) brands.
FAVE FUN GUY
Last month we celebrated the launch of Paul Stamets' new book Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats: A Guide to the History, Identification, and Use of Psychoactive Fungi. Learn how to forage, grow and safely use psilocybin mushrooms from an eco-icon. Get your copy now.
catching up with karp
The bioinspired tissue fixation technology designed at the Karp Lab and shared by Jeff Karp at Near Future Summit '19 just received FDA approval for peripheral nerve repair, the first approval in nearly two decades of a device built on a novel polymer platform. The approved product includes a 3D-printed conduit to guide nerve regeneration, opening the door to a new wave of patient-tailored, 3D-printed implants. It also lays the foundation for broader use of the programmable fixation polymer across multiple therapeutic areas requiring atraumatic, tissue regeneration. Congrats, Jeff Karp and team!!