22 Inventions That Are Saving the World

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We all know that we need to do our part to save the Earth, but the hardest part is knowing where to start. Everyday, it seems like there’s a new headline about how humans are destroying the planet. Under such circumstances, it is especially easy to feel overwhelmed by the state of the environment.

Beginning with the 22 inventions that are saving the world is a great place to start, however. These eco-friendly inventions prove that humans are capable of creating change. From solar-powered trash removal to water blobs, these inventions are helping the world move towards a more sustainable future.

Liter of Light

In 2011, Brazilian mechanic Alfredo Moser’s idea sparked the Liter of Light movement. During the day, Moser was able to light up the inside of his home by combining bleach and water in an empty bottle and inserting it in a hole in the roof. Through the process of refraction, the water bottle gets transformed into a source of illumination as powerful as a 40 to 60-watt lightbulb.

Edible water blobs

The water in an edible water bottle is contained in a transparent sachet composed of chloride and seaweed. The bottle is even biodegradable. In 2014, a group of London-based design students developed a prototype they named “Ooho!” In quick succession, Pierre-Yves Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia González founded Skipping Rocks Lab to market their product.

Mr. Trash Wheel

Jump aboard me this Thursday 10/6 in Fells Point! Register for the Harbor Heartbeat Report Card Release and you’ll get a FREE tour of your friendly neighborhood trash wheel. https://t.co/MY9zCsmuYZ pic.twitter.com/mC58UiaKyB

— Mr. Trash Wheel (@MrTrashWheel) October 3, 2022

The Inner Harbor Water Wheel, often known as “Mr. Trash Wheel” in the area, is a hybrid of old and new technologies that use the force of water and sunlight to gather the trash from the Jones Falls River.

The garbage and debris in the river are collected by a water wheel powered by the river’s current and dumped onto a dumpster barge.

A solar panel array supplements the machine’s power needs when there is insufficient energy from the water current. As soon as the dumpster is full, it is removed by boat, and a fresh one is brought into its place.

Plastic-free shampoo pods

We're shaping the future of personal care 💧🔮 #plasticfree #sustainable #personalcare pic.twitter.com/lnoQTP9J3a

— Nohbo (@nohbodrops) April 8, 2021

The Drop collection by NOHBO was introduced in 2018. The NOHBO team spent years perfecting its single-use, water-soluble Drop for personal care products, and they spent countless hours in the lab.

A single drop of shampoo in the palm of one’s hand while under running shower water completely dissolves, leaving no trace behind.

Waterotor

We have harnessed the power of slow moving water! #GreenEnergy #hydropower #waterotor #technews #power #environment pic.twitter.com/ktZl5geVAS

— info (@waterotor) June 20, 2016

At speeds as low as 3.2 km/h (0.9 m/s), the Waterotor is capable of converting more than half of the available energy in slow-flowing water (streams, rivers, canals, and waterways) into electricity through the use of unique hydrokinetic technology.

The Waterotor’s exceptional efficiency can be attributed to its one-of-a-kind rotor, which was designed, tested, and optimized in a NASA wind tunnel.

Shipping container pool

How amazing is this?

A swimming pool made out of a shipping container

I want….. pic.twitter.com/DH72K4koQv

— Antonia (@Flaminhaystack) January 26, 2020

A shipping container pool is a swimming pool built from a shipping container.

Because of their robust construction, these containers may be used in anything from storage sheds to playground equipment. They are also put to use in the building of structures such as walls, fences, and even homes.

The Seabin

Please share. Sick of seeing plastic pollution in the water? Have your say; https://t.co/0ZvaOVjIA5 pic.twitter.com/1tXkBd3Zcj

— Seabin™ (@Seabin_project) November 21, 2022

The Seabin unit is an in-water “trash skimmer” that may be placed in the water of marinas, yacht clubs, ports, or any other calm body of water that meets certain requirements.

By pumping water into the unit, it serves as a floating waste bin that skims the water’s surface. Floating trash, macro and microplastics, and even microfibers are all things that the Seabin can filter out.

Edible spoons

In 2010, a researcher and agriculture consultant named Peesapaty from Hyderabad, India created an edible spoon from millet, rice, and wheat flour.

The “edible lunch spoon” is available in sugar, ginger-cinnamon, ginger-garlic, cumin, celery, black pepper, mint-ginger, carrot-beetroot, and other flavors. It can withstand boiling fluids for up to twenty minutes. There is a shelf life of between two and three years for the spoons.

SaltWater Brewery

Pick up a six pack today! Always fresh, always eco friendly 🍻🌿 #saltwaterbrewery #ecosixpackring #e6pr #screaminreelsipa https://t.co/XxQFz0hi1J pic.twitter.com/cDZdpU7ILK

— SaltWater Brewery – Reef Room – Main Tasting Room (@TheReefRoom) July 11, 2019

New sustainable beer packaging described as “edible six-pack rings” was introduced by Saltwater Brewery of Delray Beach, Florida.

These six-pack rings, made from leftover barley and wheat ribbons from the brewing process, are completely biodegradable and edible. Animals that come into touch with trash can safely consume this packaging without being harmed in any way.

Portable turbine

River turbine manufacturer @Idenergie_Inc at #altesolarcon @altEstore pic.twitter.com/a1t6GFcKLK

— Sascha (@SaschaDeri) February 23, 2016

Depending on the water velocity, the Idénergie river turbine can generate up to twelve kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day, more than enough to power a typical home.

In its most basic setting, the device can provide enough energy to run essentials such as a refrigerator, television, computer, and lights.

The manufacturer claims that one river turbine operating at full capacity can generate as much power as twelve solar panels.

Plastic bottle cutter

#asghedomshop Eco-Friendly Plastic Bottle Cutter pic.twitter.com/iq7AkGAw63

— Asghedom.com (@asghedomshop) March 3, 2021

The Plastic Bottle Cutter is a twenty-five dollar gadget essentially consisting of a razor blade enclosed in plastic and attached to a wooden handle with a cutting guide.

What comes out of the Plastic Bottle Cutter, though, is what is really impressive. In order to begin the cut, the user must first remove the bottle’s base and heat the plastic until it is flexible and free of ridges.

The bottle is then spun into a fine plastic rope by pushing on the cut piece. This rope can be unraveled into a length of line that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Bite toothpaste bits

Trying to minimize plastic use. Excited to use @bitetoothpaste pic.twitter.com/4ed44hi56j

— Elizabeth Sturcken (@esturcken) July 13, 2022

As the name suggests, these “toothpaste bits” from Bite are small, chewable tablets of toothpaste that can be used in place of your regular toothpaste.

They have the benefit of being vegan and are easy to use. The bits are made with natural ingredients comprised of only a tiny proportion of the chemicals used in ordinary toothpaste. There are also no artificial chemicals such as flavorings, fillers, or dyes in the product.

Tire shredder

our shredder machine for plastic, wood, carton,tire,and other waste materials pic.twitter.com/dDmatVOokV

— hekiki (@hekiki2) November 30, 2016

To dispose of or recycle old tires, tire shredding is a widespread practice. Tires can be shredded into pieces of various sizes before they are dumped into a landfill. Crumb tire or tire mulch can, for instance, be recycled into surfaces for playgrounds, athletic tracks, and highways. This process is known as tire recycling.

Waterlily turbine

Today is #WorldWaterDay

The WaterLily turbine allows you to harvest power directly from rivers and streams. Our goal is to use our technology to help #EndEnergyPoverty and to allow people to harvest #EnergyAnywhere

Learn more at https://t.co/jXOo9WFrXD pic.twitter.com/kq9HDc2vxw

— WaterLily Turbine (@WaterLilyGen) March 22, 2021

The WaterLily concept was first developed as a scalable power source for keeping data stations operational in the waters of the Northern Atlantic. Over the course of ten years of development and testing, this equipment was refined until it could be reduced in size to produce the modern WaterLily.

There are now two WaterLily turbine models to choose from. The first is a standard 12V output model, suitable for charging power packs, batteries, and other 12V technology. The second is a USB output model.

Polyglu

@IOM_Somalia welcomes use of Polyglu tech in ensuring vulnerable communities in #somalia have access 2 clean water pic.twitter.com/hp3T9sKc92

— IOM Somalia (@IOM_Somalia) August 25, 2016

Somalia has suffered through a severe drought, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is treating potential drinking water with a coagulant called Polyglu to help individuals who have been impacted.

Polyglu is a powder that helps remove toxins from water by using a coagulant derived from fermented soybeans. The product is one of a kind because it may be used without risk as a purification agent in the food and industrial equipment industries. It is sustainable for the environment.

Charcoal from human waste

@SustainaBizKe #Innovation Briquettes from human waste, sawdust taking place of charcoal @NAWASSCO
#cleanenergy #Improvedhealth #Stopdeforestation #Sustainablealternatives https://t.co/i5II8UtCIE pic.twitter.com/jsjRaCdffV

— Pracksidis A. Wandera (@PracksidisA) July 9, 2019

In the Nakuru, Kenya area, a company is turning human waste and sawdust into charcoal. The briquettes have been widely adopted and used by locals for a variety of applications, including cooking. The hope is that this initiative will help reduce pollution and improve cleanliness, particularly in underprivileged areas of town.

Biodegradable bags

The Cassava Bag is a biodegradable, plastic-free alternative that is sustainable, organic & safe for all, as it can dissolve in hot water. pic.twitter.com/WBVYFh4xpZ

— GOOD (@good) February 7, 2022

It has been reported that a guy in Bali has developed a biodegradable and compostable ‘plastic’ bag created from cassava that dissolves in hot water and is even safe to consume. This is widely known in the area as the cassava bag.

Whirlpool turbine

This whirlpool turbine can be installed in a week and could power up to 60 homes https://t.co/hSFJ2IPntG pic.twitter.com/Aj1nD9h1Pq

— Insider International (@InsiderIntl) February 7, 2018

A whirlpool turbine, which is a low-pressure turbine with a submersible generator, can produce enough electricity to continuously power sixty homes with no negative impact on the environment. A water level differential of 1.5 meters is needed for whirlpool turbine installation.

HomeBiogas system

HomeBiogas is an Israeli system that converts organic household waste into natural gas for cooking and into garden fertilizer. It helps people in more than 100 countries lower their gas bills and decreases dangerous greenhouse gas pollutants. #COP26 #mfacadets37 @Home_Biogas pic.twitter.com/PODzlAv9Zm

— Yonatan Gonen (@GonenYonatan) November 10, 2021

In 2015, an Israeli startup business called HomeBioGas Ltd launched a crowdfunding effort under the name HomeBiogas.

The idea was to provide a place for people to store food waste (a digester) in order to produce their own cooking gas. Bacteria would eat the trash and produce natural gas.

The SpinCycle

A washer on wheels!

The SpinCycle is an attachable device for a bike. It washes clothes in developing countries, where it has been used. It can be transported on the back of the bike or used to harness pedal power for washing clothes in a stationary position. #sustainability pic.twitter.com/FWBd0gXssr

— ElectraFix Appliance Repair (@ElectrafixR) August 5, 2020

Wash your clothes on the go with the SpinCycle, a portable washing machine that can be mounted on almost any bicycle.

Rich Hewitt thought of it while traveling in Burundi, and he made it a reality. He had to wash a lot of laundry by hand and looked for a better way to do it while he was there.

The CampStove 2

There has never been a camping stove like the Biolite CampStove 2. Small and powerful, it adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor adventures.

You can use the Biolite stove for cooking, grilling, and charging devices outdoors. The CampStove 2 is very handy because it can burn wood and includes a USB connector for charging electronics.

The Barsha Pump

The Barsha pump by aQysta B.V. is an affordable and creative way for smallholder farmers to water their crops without the need for fuel or electricity. The hydro-powered pump can be installed nearly anywhere there is access to running water, and it requires minimal maintenance.

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