German Ecodesign Award
For the next two weeks the winning products and concepts from Germany's Ecodesign Award are on display in Berlin. The prize is a joint project run by the country's Environment Ministry and Environment Agency.
Recognizing sustainable design
An idea which looks great and is good for the environment at the same time? The Federal Ecodesign Award has been running in Germany since 2012, recognizing products, services and concepts that are environmentally-friendly. The work of the current prizewinners is now on display in Berlin, including this wooden tricycle with a battery pack, made by Rennholz.
"Is it still okay to eat?"
When the expiry date has been reached, people often throw away yogurt without opening the container. This happens even if the product was still edible. The innovative "best before" yogurt container is made from see-through plastic allowing consumers to see what is happening inside. The aim is to reduce food waste.
Looks like a normal bicycle
Riding by bicycle needs to made more attractive so as to increase usage rates, that's the hope of the Ecodesign jury. The COBOC bike looks like a modern hybrid bicycle but it is actually a pedal electric cycle. The pedelec weighs just 14 kilograms, the battery and wiring are built into the bike frame.
Reducing internet waste
The internet uses a lot of electricity, especially while saving data on servers. Using the domain ".eco", there are plans afoot to start setting up websites which hold data only for a limited time. A type of environmental seal of approval for the internet, it's hoped .eco will reduce unnecessary online data growth and electricity wastage.
Helping return bottles
Even though lots of bottles are refundable, many end up in landfill anyway. For those that collect recyclable bottles from public trash and return them for cash, the Pfandring is a useful invention. Attached to public trash cans, the rings can be used by the public to dispose of empty bottles. It's hoped this will improve recycling efficiency.
Sweaters from recycled products
The Ecodesign Award jury says that the "Juri and Walentina" sweaters are "easy on the eye and the conscience". They are made from recycled textiles, such as airbags and bicycle tubes and are decorated with accessories like bicycle chains on the hood. Once they wear out, the garments can be recycled and used again.
New designs for a greener future
"ON", a chair design which allows for more natural body movements for the user, is produced sustainably and is 97 percent recyclable. It was one of the winners in the Product section of the current Ecodesign award. The exhibition of the Ecodesign Award winners in the visitor center of the German Environment Ministry in Berlin runs until August 2nd 2013.