Eco-Friendly Innovation

A team of students at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London has developed a series of machines that could help reduce single-use plastics. Operating under the name, The Shellworks, the group takes lobster shells and turns them into planters, wallets, plastic bags, and more.

The SmartFlower is an intelligent "sunflower" that will "bloom" to produce clean solar energy. By imitating sunflowers and tracking the sun from east to west during the day, it aims to be more efficient than regular solar panels.

This company recycles old fire hoses into hand-crafted luxury bags and accessories, and it donates 50% of its profits to the Fire Fighters Charity. Elvis & Kresse's workshop is based in Kent, England, and we visited to see how they turn the discarded hoses into stylish pieces.

Kaffeeform, a Berlin-based start-up, has been creating coffee cups from recycled coffee grounds for the past three years. With the help of courier services, the company picks up used coffee grounds from cafés all across Berlin to create these eco-friendly cups. We learn how the founder, Julian Lechner, got started and how he makes his products.

Gomi Designs in Brighton, England, turns non-recyclable plastic waste into Bluetooth speakers that are infinitely recyclable. Its aim is to stop plastic waste being incinerated or going to landfill. It collects plastic packaging, bubble-wrap and cling film from local companies and residents, as this type of plastic waste is impossible to recycle and it's not accepted by local authorities.

Benjamin Stern has created a waste-free shampoo tablet that can wash both short and long hair. He had the idea at the age of 14 and has now built a business called Nohbo, which makes a range of plastic-free products.