Catalytic Clothing: Clothing that breaks down air borne pollutants by means of a photocatalyst.

   

This is amazing clothing, that when light shines on this clothing, the electrons in the material are rearranged and become more reactive which are then able to react with the water in the air and break it apart into 2 radicals (extremely reactive molecules). These radicals then react with the pollutants in the air causing them to break down into non-harmful chemicals.  

This new clothing technology is designed to breakdown pollutants immediately. However, it is likely that some pollutant may not be broken down and get attached to the clothing, but they will then be washed off during laundering.

How is the technology delivered to the surface of the clothing?

During your laundry procedure the photocatalyst is delivered to the surface of the clothing as an addictive within a standard product such as a fabric softer.

Mass participated is need

As each garment is only able to remove a small amount of air pollutant, the more people wearing the Catalytic Clothing the more noticeable the pollution reduction level will be.

It has been estimated that to see a significant reduction in the level of air borne pollutants in a city such as London, for every metre of pavement, 30 people wearing Catalytic Clothes walked past each minute. 

Why should we reduce or ideally get rid of air borne Pollutants?

Air borne pollutants are mostly caused from motor vehicles and industry, and present a risk to human health as well as having detrimental effects on ecosystems and vegetation.

How we will be able to see that the clothing is working

There is already some form of air quality monitoring stations in most major cities and towns. Those monitors record the levels of a range of major pollutants, such as NOx and VOC’s.

The team working on the Catalytic Clothing expect that once the Catalytic Clothing technology is in widespread use considerable reductions in the levels of the pollutants will be observed using those monitors.


When will it be available?

Catalytic Clothing will hopefully be publicly available in 2013.


Glossary:

A catalyst - a person/thing that starts or speeds up a reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself.

A photocatalyst – a catalyst which gets the energy it needs to be active from light.

A radical - an extremely reactive molecule.

Sneaker Lab: Local, Fresh and Clean... Environmentally Clean

Sneaker Lab, South African’s new, local, eco-conscious, urban company. They have developed an easy new way of cleaning your shoes with their Sneaker Cleaner.

Sneaker Cleaner

 

  Sneaker Lab’s Sneaker Cleaner combines non-harmful natural elements with environmentally beneficial bacteria to create an eco-friendly cleaning formula that actively biodegrades dirt and chemical elements found on your shoes, as well as in the environment.

The cleaning process begins with surfactants in the solution that soften and break down dirt build up, lifting the dirt molecules off the shoe’s material surface. Sneaker Cleaner solution contains pro-bacteria that produce enzymes who’s primary function is to actively decompose dirt compounds safely in the cleaning process.

What we love about this product is that you can use it on all types of shoes no matter what the fabric or material.

            It is 100% Biodegradable

            Good for the environment

            Cleans on a microscopic level

            Non toxic, non flammable, non-corrosive

            Keeps sneakers cleaner for longer, combating re-soiling

Sneaker Brush

Removes stubborn marks and tough stains on sneakers and shoes.

 

Sneaker Lab’s Sneaker Cleaner and Sneaker Brush are locally manufactured using eco-conscious principles and practices to ensure an environmentally friendly approach to keeping you fresh.

Cap Washer

Designed to protect your cap’s shape during the washing process.

What’s more…we, Eco Effect, did their Point of Sale displays

 

Where to find Sneaker Lab's products

Baseline, Loom and more stores soon 

Sneaker Lab details

Website: www.sneakerlab.co.za

Tumblr: http://sneaker-lab.tumblr.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SneakerLab.KeepingYouFresh

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Sneaker_Lab

No impact Man: a non-profit lifestyle experiment

In 2006 manahhtaning dwelling Colin Beaven, along with his wife, two-year-old daughter and dog, decided to undertake a yearlong project of leading a life with as little environmental impact as possible.

His reason for doing this was to attract public awareness about global issues (such as depletion of energy and material resources, water shortages, global warming and sustainable food systems) by experimenting with various ways of living that would improve the overall quality of life.

They went about doing this by saying no to electricity, taxis, takeout food, and meat and they went organic.

"Only bring into your home what you want," Beavan says. “You want the apples, not the bag they come in.”

"The average American creates 1,600 pounds of trash a year. We’re trying to reduce that to zero," Colin Beavan.

No Impact’s Man’s Top 10 Eco-Lifestyle Changes:

1. Stop eating beef. 

2. Give up bottled water. 
3. Observe an eco-sabbath. For one day or afternoon or even hour a week, don't buy anything, don't use any machines, don't switch on anything electric, don't cook, don't answer your phone, and, in general, don't use any resources. In other words, for this regular period, give yourself and the planet a break. Keep your regular eco-sabbath for a month. You'll find that the enforced downtime represents an improvement to your life.
4. Tithe a fixed percentage of your income to the non-profits of your choice.
5. Get there under your own steam. Commit to getting around by bike or by foot a certain number of days a month.
6. Commit to not wasting. From heat, to food, to air-conditioning to fuel, the list in endless. Spare your money and save the planet. 
7. Build a community. Spend more time with friends & family doing things that involves less waste. For example, have dinners/drinks and play music by candlelight.
8. Take your principles to work. 
9. Dedicate a day's worth of TV viewing to eco-service each week.
10. Believe with all your heart that how you live your life makes a difference to all of us.

The Book

The Movie

Eco-friendly Father's Day Gifts

WeWOOD Watch: for every watch purchased a tree is planted

Bicycle Tire Wallet

iBeanInspired: a plant that grows from a bean with an inspirational message on it

Monkey T-Shirt: the ink on the t-shirt is eco-friendly and water-based

Resail Bag: a bag made from recycled sails and nylon

JakPak: jacket, sleeping bag and tent all in 1

Inventions which Convert Unused Energy into Electricity

Take a look at these superb inventions that capture unused energy and convert it into electricity for us to reuse. The best bit is that these creations do not require us, lazy humans, to change our behaviour in order to become more environmentally friendly. 

Although several of these designs are still at concept level, we love them and take our hats off to the designers, researchers and scientists behind each and every one of these beauties.

Dancepants: your movement generates electricity to power your MP3 player

Sneakers which charge your mobile phone

Solar powered tie and other photovoltaic clothing

Moss Table: furniture demonstrating the use of Bio-Photo-Voltaic (BPV) technology

ALMA  Tree Lamps

Solar Floating Resort

Solar Power Satellite

CNF-PZT Cantilever: a process whereby a carbon nanotube film absorbs thermal energy from electrical devices, forcing a cantilever to bend creating an electrical current

Colours Everywhere!

Colours are EVERYWHERE this year! From the chairs we sit on to the things we eat. When choosing your colours this season go for the most environmentally friendly option possible. For example, you can choose locally grown organic food, products made form recycled goods, or paints that are VOC free.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals with low boiling points, causing a large number of molecules to evaporate at room temperature. Even though VOCs are both naturally occurring and man-made chemical compounds, many are harmful to the environment and our health.

Fortunately, our clever little hamsters at Eco Effect make sure that all our prints are done with VOC free inks, as well as insuring that none of our products contain any of those bad boys!

May the colours of the rainbow be with you!

Mac Keyboards

Watches

Shoes

Wallpaper

Wallpaper

Books

Books

Advertising

Munich's Georg-Brauchle-Ring Subway Station

Pencil Fence

Crockery

Hanging Chair

Chair

Cushions and Place Mats

Painted Shelf

Rainbow Food

Colourful Flower Arrangements