ecoconscious

Plastic cutlery, abandoned tents, artists flown in to perform … the traditional music festival has not been a bastion of eco-friendliness. Now several UK and European events are introducing measures to reduce their impact, using locally sourced food, low-emission transport and renewable energy. Sustainability-minded shows range from new-generation affairs, such as Italy’s Terraforma, to veterans like the Isle of Wight festival.Green Gathering, MonmouthshireThe family-friendly Green Gathering festival (3-6 August) usually…

A significant percentage of waterborne microplastic pollution takes the form of synthetic microfibers, which are shed by our clothes as they're being washed. A new device known as Gulp lets homeowners filter those fibers out of their wash water, keeping them from reaching rivers or the sea.Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, Gulp was invented by British engineer Adam Root. He previously designed products for Dyson, and founded his own company, Matter, to develop and manufacture the device.Gulp is reportedly…

Acer is adding a Chromebook to its Vero lineup, which it says is meant to offer laptop buyers an “eco-conscious” option. Like the (rather disappointing) Windows laptop that came before it, the Chromebook Vero 514 is made using recycled plastics, has a chassis that’s 99 percent recyclable, and comes in packaging that’s 90 percent recycled paper, according to the company. Acer’s press release even suggests that part of the Chromebook’s packaging can be “transformed into a multi-purpose triangular laptop stand,” if you’re…