Articles tagged with "carbon-footprint-reduction"
Happy Hour Clean Technology Special: Pubinno Smart Tap at CES - CleanTechnica
The article highlights Pubinno’s Smart Tap, showcased at CES, as an innovative clean technology designed to reduce waste in draft beer dispensing. Traditional draft beer systems often result in significant beer loss due to cleaning, poor pressure control, and excess foam. Pubinno’s smart tap precisely controls the pour, increasing keg yield by about 21% and reportedly saving over 1.4 billion liters of water from more than 200 million draft beers served. Unlike some competitors, Pubinno’s system does not require special glassware, reducing additional costs and carbon footprint. It also operates autonomously, making it suitable for self-service or inexperienced bartenders, and can adjust foam levels based on beer type and local preferences. The technology works with both carbonated and nitrogenated beers, as well as sodas, and delivers a consistent pour that minimizes waste and enhances user experience. The article suggests that the greatest environmental and economic benefits may come from reducing waste in expensive imported beers, which have a high transportation
IoTsmart-tapbeverage-technologywater-conservationcarbon-footprint-reductionclean-technologyCES-innovationsCoffee waste turned into eco-friendly concrete, slashes CO2 emissions
Australian researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed an innovative concrete mix that incorporates coffee ground waste transformed into biochar, resulting in a material that is both stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional concrete. By converting spent coffee grounds—an abundant waste stream—into biochar through pyrolysis, the team was able to replace a portion of sand in concrete production. Their experiments showed that substituting 15 percent of sand with coffee biochar increased concrete strength by nearly 30 percent and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 26 percent. Lower substitution rates of 5 and 10 percent also yielded significant CO2 reductions of 15 and 23 percent, respectively, alongside a 31 percent decrease in fossil fuel use and improved impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The process involves heating used coffee grounds to around 350 degrees Celsius to produce a stable, carbon-rich charcoal-like substance that locks carbon within the concrete mix, supporting carbon sequestration. This approach aligns with circular economy principles and Australia
materialssustainable-concretebiocharcarbon-footprint-reductionconstruction-innovationwaste-recyclingeco-friendly-materialsCoffee ground waste into eco-friendly concrete, slashes CO2 emissions
Australian researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed an innovative concrete mix incorporating coffee ground waste transformed into biochar, resulting in a material that is both stronger and more environmentally sustainable than traditional concrete. By converting spent coffee grounds—an abundant waste stream in Australia—into biochar through pyrolysis, the team was able to replace a portion of sand in concrete production. Their experiments demonstrated that substituting 15 percent of sand with coffee biochar increased concrete strength by nearly 30 percent while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 26 percent. Even lower substitution rates of 5 and 10 percent yielded CO2 reductions of 15 and 23 percent, respectively, along with a 31 percent decrease in fossil fuel use and improved impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The process involves heating used coffee grounds to approximately 350 degrees Celsius to produce a stable, carbon-rich charcoal-like material that locks carbon within the concrete matrix. This approach supports circular economy principles by diverting organic waste from land
materialssustainable-concretebiocharcarbon-footprint-reductionconstruction-materialswaste-recyclingeco-friendly-building-materialsNew tech upcycles biodiesel waste into $78B industrial solvent
Scientists at Loughborough University spin-out R3V Tech have developed an innovative electrochemical process that converts crude glycerol, a low-value by-product of biodiesel production, directly into solketal—a high-value bio-derived solvent used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and as a fuel additive. This technology operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to traditional energy-intensive refining methods. By enabling on-site conversion, the process eliminates costly transport and waste, while also utilizing waste carbon dioxide to further lower the carbon footprint of biodiesel production. The global market for solketal is estimated at $78 billion, presenting a substantial new revenue opportunity for biodiesel producers who currently pay to dispose of crude glycerol. R3V Tech’s modular, plug-in system aims to allow producers to refine their waste easily and sustainably, creating a circular, low-carbon economy. Supported by Innovate UK grants and recognized by programs such as Shell Start-Up Engine and the Royal Society of Chemistry Change
energybiodieselelectrochemical-processwaste-upcyclingsustainable-technologybio-derived-solventcarbon-footprint-reductionDacia Hipster Concept cuts EV emissions by 50% with lighter build
The Dacia Hipster Concept is a minimalist electric vehicle designed to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% compared to current EV models. This ambitious goal is achieved through a lightweight construction that is 20% lighter than the Dacia Spring, extensive use of recycled materials such as Starkle panels and mass-dyed components, and a simplified manufacturing process that minimizes paint layers and production emissions. The car’s compact design includes a smaller battery optimized for urban and suburban driving, balancing sufficient daily range with lower environmental impact from battery production. The exterior features a single body color with only three painted parts, using mass-dyed materials to reduce paint waste and energy consumption. Its blocky yet balanced design maximizes compactness and functionality, with features like a full-width tailgate and integrated rear lights to reduce material use and costs. Inside, the cabin is space-efficient with vertical windows, a transparent roof section, and flexible seating that expands cargo capacity from 70 to 500 liters. The modular YouClip system allows
energyelectric-vehicleslightweight-materialsrecycled-materialssustainable-manufacturingbattery-efficiencycarbon-footprint-reductionOkosix will show its biodegradable plastic at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Okosix, a company founded by Eddie Yu, aims to address the significant issue of single-use plastics in healthcare by developing a biodegradable plastic alternative. Yu, motivated by a personal moment with his niece during the pandemic, created Okosix after selling his disposable mask company in 2021. The company’s material blends cellulose, chitosan from crustacean shells, wax, and a proprietary compound to produce a biodegradable plastic that is cheaper and functionally comparable or superior to polylactic acid (PLA), a common biodegradable plastic. Okosix’s material is internationally certified to fully biodegrade within six months under natural conditions, avoiding the pitfalls of some plastics that only break down into microplastics. Initially focusing on face masks, Okosix plans to expand its product range to include surgical gowns, diapers, and sanitary napkins, targeting the replacement of fossil-based disposable plastics with safer, non-plastic materials. Although a formal lifecycle analysis is pending, Yu estimates that Okosix’s
biodegradable-plasticssustainable-materialshealthcare-waste-reductioncellulose-based-materialseco-friendly-packagingplastic-alternativescarbon-footprint-reductionAussie engineers turn cardboard waste into strong building material
Australian engineers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed a sustainable building material called cardboard-confined rammed earth, which combines cardboard, water, and soil to create strong walls suitable for low-rise buildings. This innovation addresses two major issues: reducing cardboard waste—over 2.2 million tons of which end up in Australian landfills annually—and cutting carbon emissions associated with cement and concrete production, which contribute about 8% of global emissions. The new material has roughly one-quarter of concrete’s carbon footprint and costs less than one-third as much, eliminating the need for cement by using compacted soil confined within cardboard tubes. Inspired by traditional rammed earth construction and designs like Shigeru Ban’s Cardboard Cathedral, the RMIT team has created a formula to determine the material’s strength based on cardboard tube thickness. The material can be produced on-site by compacting soil and water inside cardboard formwork, reducing transportation costs and logistical complexity by relying mostly on locally sourced materials.
materialssustainable-building-materialscardboard-waste-recyclingrammed-earth-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductiongreen-constructioneco-friendly-materialsPhilippines' MIT to Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy via Virtual Power Purchase Agreement - CleanTechnica
Mapúa University (formerly Mapua Institute of Technology), the Philippines’ oldest engineering and technology institution, has successfully transitioned all its campuses to 100% renewable energy through a partnership with ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES). This transition, completed most recently in May 2025 at the Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna campus, was enabled by the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). GEOP allows large electricity consumers to contract renewable energy from licensed providers, delivering clean power generated from solar, wind, and geothermal sources via the existing grid without the need for additional infrastructure like rooftop solar panels. The environmental benefits are substantial, with the Manila and Makati campuses collectively avoiding around 350 metric tons of CO2 emissions monthly, and the Laguna campus preventing 91 tons monthly. Mapúa’s president, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the university’s mission of environmental stewardship and responsibility to future generations. The project supports several UN
energyrenewable-energysustainable-energycarbon-footprint-reductiongreen-energyclean-energyenergy-transitionHyundai is working with a startup on plant-based leather that smells like the real thing
Hyundai is collaborating with the startup Uncaged to develop a plant-based leather alternative designed for automotive interiors. Unlike traditional synthetic leathers made from fossil fuel-derived plastics, Uncaged’s material is primarily composed of plant proteins sourced from grains such as wheat, soy, and corn. The startup has engineered this material to closely mimic the texture, durability, and even the scent of real animal leather by replicating the fibrous collagen structure found in tanned hides. This innovation aims to offer a customizable, animal- and climate-friendly substitute with a carbon footprint reportedly 95% lower than conventional leather. Uncaged’s plant-based leather is already used in vegan handbags and watch straps, but the automotive sector represents a larger market due to the high leather consumption in vehicle interiors. The material is competitively priced, with costs ranging from under $10 per square foot for small orders to about half that for large orders, offering both environmental and economic benefits. The startup is currently conducting tests with several automakers
materialsplant-based-leathersustainable-materialsautomotive-materialseco-friendly-leather-alternativescarbon-footprint-reductionleather-substitutesAmazon & Brimstone Advance Lower-Carbon Cement Collaboration - CleanTechnica
Amazon and Brimstone have announced promising initial test results for Brimstone’s lower-carbon Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), intended for use in concrete construction. The tests, conducted with Amazon’s concrete consultants, evaluated key properties such as workability and compressive strength based on Amazon’s slab mix designs. Brimstone’s OPC met ASTM C150 standards and performed comparably to conventional cement currently used in Amazon buildings. Encouraged by these outcomes, Amazon has signed a commercial agreement to reserve annual volumes of Brimstone’s OPC and supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) from Brimstone’s upcoming Oakland, CA plant. Building on this success, Amazon and Brimstone plan to conduct more extensive testing in 2025 and 2026 to assess durability, sulfate resistance, aggregate reactivity, and other critical properties across a wider range of concrete mixes and applications. Brimstone’s CEO highlighted that their process produces industry-standard cement at competitive prices, facilitating fast market adoption due to compliance with
energymaterialslow-carbon-cementsustainable-constructionindustrial-materialscarbon-footprint-reductionconcrete-technologyTerra CO2 cements $124M Series B to slash concrete’s carbon footprint
Terra CO2, a Golden, Colorado-based startup, has secured $124.5 million in a Series B funding round to advance its low-carbon cement alternative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of concrete production. Cement manufacturing, particularly Portland cement, is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions due to the chemical processes and fossil fuel use involved. Terra CO2’s approach involves producing supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) by melting silicate-containing rocks into glassy powders that mimic the properties of traditional cement but with significantly lower emissions. The new funding, co-led by prominent investors including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Al Gore’s Just Climate, will support the construction of a large-scale facility near Dallas capable of producing 240,000 tons of SCM annually. Currently, Terra CO2’s SCM can replace up to 40% of Portland cement in concrete mixtures, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% compared to conventional cement. The company is also developing a next-generation product intended
energymaterialslow-carbon-cementsustainable-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductionsupplementary-cementitious-materialsclimate-technologyCoffee waste gets a second life as stronger, low-emission bricks in Australia
Australian researchers at Swinburne University of Technology, led by Dr. Yat Wong, have developed sustainable bricks made from spent coffee grounds (SCGs), offering a significant reduction in construction-related carbon emissions. By blending coffee waste with clay and an alkali activator, these bricks can be fired at just 200°C—about 80% lower than traditional brick firing temperatures—resulting in up to an 80% reduction in electricity-related CO₂ emissions per unit. This innovation not only diverts large quantities of coffee waste from landfills, thereby reducing methane emissions, but also produces bricks that exceed Australian minimum strength standards, making them both environmentally friendly and durable. Globally, around nine million tonnes of ground coffee are consumed annually, generating approximately 18 million tonnes of wet SCGs, much of which ends up in landfills contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In Australia alone, over 1.3 million cups of coffee are sold daily, producing about 10,000 tonnes of coffee
energysustainable-materialslow-emission-brickscoffee-waste-recyclinggreen-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductioncircular-economy