Did you know that there are over 4.5 trillion individual CBs on our planet? Another fact: over 750,000 metric tonnes of CBs find their way into our environment every year, ending up in waterways and causing soil pollution.

With such disturbing figures, one would think that there’d be more of a spotlight shone on the environmental impact of CBs. But probably because of their size, people don’t even regard CBs as waste and often dispose of them carelessly – simply flicking them onto the pavement when they’re finished smoking.

There’s also a common misconception that CBs are made of paper and cotton. While there is some paper, cigarette filters are made of man-made cellulose acetate that takes at least ten years to fully degrade. Moreover, the chemicals released by CBs (including arsenic, lead and nicotine) are enough to actually classify CBs as hazardous waste.

Tackling CBs One Butt At A Time

Fortunately, someone is taking action to reverse this trend. Enter Code Effort, an India-based start-up that collects CBs and uses them as raw materials to create sustainable products like cushions, mattresses, accessories and even mosquito repellent.

Their story follows the tried-and-tested origin of a start-up: brothers Naman and Vipul Gupta saw a problem and put their efforts into solving that problem to make a better world. In their case, it was the unhealthy number of CBs in the city of Noida, Uttar Pradesh in India. They hunkered down and thus Code Effort – which stands for ‘Conserve Our Depleting Environment’ – was born in 2015.

Naman shares, “A common saying is that smoking is bad for our health, but I believe that this saying is incomplete. In the process of building a cigarette waste management and recycling industry, I can confidently say that smoking is not only bad for our health, but also lethal to the planet!”

The idea behind Code Effort is simple – collect CBs from around the city, drop them off at their factory and transform that waste into usable products. Initially, Code Effort placed special bins around the city to collect CBs. But to build the volume necessary for their recycling operations, they soon scaled up collection by partnering with various government units and institutions, incentivising people by exchanging CBs for cash.

But is Code Effort putting those who collect the CBs in harm’s way? It’s important to note that the company has taken several steps to educate CB collectors about the harmful effects of cigarette toxins. In addition to implementing practical hygiene and safety protocols, Naman insists that those dealing with the waste use N95 masks and gloves. This extends to their own factory, which is ISO 45001:2018-compliant and regularly audited.

Turning Waste To Gold

What happens next is the critical part of this programme – transforming these toxic materials into a safe and sustainable product. Naman shares, “Our closed-loop recycling process ensures 100 percent utilisation of the materials, has a net-zero carbon footprint and fosters a circular economy.”

Collected CBs are first separated into tobacco, paper and polymer. The tobacco undergoes a month-long process to break it down to powder, turning it into organic compost used in plantations.

The paper is ground to pulp, with binders, colours and fragrances added to turn the paper into mosquito repellent. Code Effort is also in the process of producing stationery and packaging material from this recycled paper. Naman says that they are even able to customise the thickness of the paper according to their customers’ needs – and that these papers are sustainable and sturdy enough to be recycled up to eight times!

As for the polymer, Code Effort treats the material with biodegradable and organic chemicals to remove its toxicity before using its recycled fibres to stuff cushions, pillows, mattress and even toys. To date, these cushions have been the bestsellers among Code Efforts end products!

Not A Social Enterprise

Since its launch, Code Effort has recycled over 1.2 billion CBs across India, thereby preventing toxins from seeping into 30 billion litres of water and offsetting 48 billion grams of carbon dioxide. It has been able to scale up its operations from Noida to now include the entirety of India, as well as partnerships in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Naman is also open to more partnerships beyond South Asia, either through the import-export of CBs or a technology licensing agreement. After all, CBs are a problem for the whole planet.

In addition to uplifting the environment, Code Effort has also uplifted the lives of countless people in its network including over 2,000 rag-pickers who collect the CBs and hundreds of local artisans who use the recycled materials to make the final products.

In this way, Code Effort has been able to go beyond its tech start-up roots to become a sustainable business, something Naman wants to underline: “Code Effort is a sustainable, rather than social enterprise!”

Find out more about Code Effort

See also: What Happens To All That Plastic We Try So Hard To Recycle

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But this change didn’t come about overnight. In fact, Copenhagen used to be just like any other city – polluted and fully dependent on fossil fuels. But when the 1973 Oil Crisis happened, its leaders sought to change the city’s environmental policies.

What happened next was a total transformation, turning Copenhagen into a sustainable city that decreased its water and energy consumption without sacrificing economic growth. As a result, Copenhagen has become the holy grail for urban planners and policy makers – proof that a vibrant green economy is possible and sustainable.

For the latest in our ‘Green City Goals’ series, let’s take a look at eight initiatives Copenhagen has undertaken to become the world’s greenest city.

See also: 10 Most Eco-Friendly Cities in the World

BIKES > EVs

Another misconception to clear up: while the Netherlands is the country with the most cyclists per capita, the city with the greatest number of cyclists is Copenhagen! 62 percent of Copenhageners commute to work or school using the 675,000 bicycles in the city. By 2050, it is estimated that half of all journeys across Copenhagen will be made on a bike.

While Copenhagen does view electric vehicles as another viable solution for transportation, the government has chosen to focus on bicycles by prioritising funding of the city’s cycling infrastructure.

CHARGING UP

That doesn’t mean that they’ve totally forgotten about cars though! In fact, Copenhagen is heavily investing in electric and hydrogen-powered cars too, with the local government aiming for 85 percent of the city’s fleet to comprise of these green vehicles.

It’s not the government alone that’s enamoured with EVs; residents have been making the change as well, with sales of EVs doubling in 2020 alone. To further encourage ownership of EVs or hybrids, the city is aiming that by 2025, a charging point will be available no more than 250m away from any multistorey building, guaranteeing charging accessibility throughout Copenhagen.

DECARBONISATION THROUGH RENEWABLES

With its green credentials, it’s no surprise that Copenhagen is a leading proponent of renewable energy. With the city mainly powered by wind and solar energy, its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 is firmly on track.

But the city also generates power from another renewable source – biomass. The city uses discarded wood, straw and refuse, along with human and animal waste to produce heat, electricity and biofuel.  As an example, Copenhagen’s CopenHill power plant turns waste to energy, generating up to 57MW of electricity and 190MW of heat for tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

OUTSIDE-THE-BOX THINKING

In addition to being one of the symbols of Copenhagen’s green initiatives, CopenHill is also notable for another thing – it’s an activity destination for adrenaline junkies, with a year-round artificial ski slope, hiking slope and climbing wall. This outside-the-box thinking proves that public infrastructure need not be only for a single purpose; a little daring and imagination can change the landscape and add to the city’s urban design.

And if those weren’t enough accolades for CopenHill, its cutting-edge filtration technology means that it produces more clean water than it uses!

CAPTURING HEAT AND COLD

Copenhagen has also invested in the efficient distribution of energy throughout its network – meaning that heat, which is otherwise dissipated when generating electricity, is captured and re-used through redistribution. Meanwhile, chilled water is partly cooled through the use of cold seawater, reducing demand on the electricity grid.

BIG DATA, GREEN DATA

But what truly sets Copenhagen apart is its use of data, thanks to the city’s extensive and sophisticated network of sensors that monitor energy and water consumption. This means more resources can be allocated towards generation when necessary and adjusted to minimise waste, reducing carbon emissions.

The use of water is another particular focus. Acoustic leak sensors, intelligent valves and pumps, smart water meters and software modelling have all been implemented to create an efficient water management system.

INNOVATING WASTE COLLECTION

As part of its mission to be a carbon neutral city, Copenhagen has taken a leading position in circular economics too. It has mounted an aggressive campaign for residents to separate their rubbish, as well as recycle and reuse products – which the city hopes will lead to a reduction of 59,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

What’s even more interesting is the way Copenhagen manages waste; it is pilot-testing a robotics-based facility to sort plastic. The city also currently uses waste trucks that run on biogas, but these will soon be replaced with autonomous vehicles and small EVs – reducing noise and carbon emissions.

THE OVAL GARDENS OF COPENHAGEN

“Urban garden” has become a trendy phrase in this age of sustainability – and whether its vertical farming, rooftop gardens or hydroponic systems, every city seems to have some kind of urban garden in their green strategy. But Copenhagen has another type of garden in its arsenal – one that dates back to 1948.

In the suburban district of Naerum, you’ll find 40 plots of land designed by famed landscape artist Søren Carl Theodor Marius Sørensen. Known as one of the world’s most visually appealing allotment gardens, these ‘Oval Gardens’ are meant to not only add to the overall aesthetic of the district, but also to impress upon owners the importance of nature and greenery.

See also: All Green City Goals articles

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But there are some other useful terms worth knowing to make sure you understand the impact of your adventures in the places you visit. As part of our ‘Sustainability Defined‘ series, we’ve rounded up 10 helpful sustainable travel terms – so read on intrepid travellers!

See also: 10 Useful Eco Fashion Terms

Biophilic Design

This concept is a growing trend in hotels and resorts to make their building designs increasingly look and feel closer to nature. Not only does this idea aim to integrate natural elements such as trees or natural light to a building’s overall appearance, it also seeks to preserve original elements of the building’s surroundings – whether that’s geological features, vegetation or wildlife.

Community-Based Tourism

Community-based tourism is a sustainable strategy that a community adopts to ensure they directly benefit from tourism within their areas. This means that locals are involved in the decision-making process, with the aim that the local economy profits from holiday-goers. Therefore, every provider – including hotels, restaurants, transport and guides – should be owned locally and more specifically, within the community itself.

Conscious Travel

Understanding the impact of your travels actually has its own term: ‘conscious travel’. But this means more than just being mindful about the negative effects of your journey. Conscious travel also takes into account the positive impact too, such as making a deliberate effort to travel to a less popular destination and contribute to its economy, rather than an already popular site.

Flygskam & Tagskryt

Both originating from Sweden, these terms are closely connected; they were popularised with the rise to prominence of climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose refusal to take flights and instead travel by train spawned these terms. ‘Flygskam’ or flight shaming refers to when air trips are considered non-essential and a less carbon-intense alternative is available – such as making a phone call, going on a video conference or…’Tagskryt’ aka train-bragging, where travellers brag about the rail lifestyle instead of being a jet-setter.

Homestays

A homestay is when a foreign traveller stays with a local – either a family or an individual – to get an immersive look into their way of life and learn more about the local community from a direct source. In addition to getting an authentic experience, homestays are a cheaper alternative than staying in hotels and also more interactive than staying at a hostel or Airbnb.

Nature Reserve

Nature reserves are often part of government land, are usually open to the public and have set aside land for native plants and animals to not only survive but thrive. Some of the best-known nature reserves include Yellowstone National Park in the US and Banff in Canada. There are also aquatic nature reserves such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Off-Grid

This refers to hosts or destinations that are self-sufficient, using renewable energy instead of existing grids to cool their rooms, heat their pools, power their rooms and supply electricity to the entire resort. In addition to lowering your carbon footprint, another benefit of staying at an off-grid option is the opportunity to disconnect from the world with a digital detox.

Regenerative Travel

When you take sustainable travel and turn it all the way up to eleven, that means you’ve unlocked ‘regenerative travel’. This refers to when you not only seek to minimise the harm you do to your destination, but also ensure that you leave it healthier and better than how you originally found it.

See also: 8 Ways to Make Your Junk Trips More Sustainable

Voluntourism

This portmanteau of ‘volunteering’ and ‘tourism’ means exactly that you think it does: when you travel for leisure but with a side aspect of volunteerism. An example of this would be travelling to Sumba Island in Indonesia for a surfing holiday or to explore hidden lagoons – but also help with English lessons for locals or tend the gardens at a local eco-lodge and hotel while you’re there.

Wild Camping & Swimming

Now if you really want to go off the grid, don’t stay at a resort! ‘Wild camping’ is camping anywhere that’s not an official campsite, while ‘wild swimming’ is the act of swimming in natural bodies of water. Just make sure to check local rules and regulations before doing either!

See also: 5 Sustainable Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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However, this hasn’t stopped the city from pursuing a better, greener future. Over the past 40 years, Mumbai has experienced a 0.25°C temperature increase every decade; this, together with the near-annual devastating floods that the city experiences, has provided leaders the impetus to tackle climate change.

The result? The Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) – a 30-year roadmap that lays out short-, middle- and long-term climate goals for the city to mitigate the impact of climate change and secure its future.

There is a lot riding on the success of the MCAP. Not only is this a long overdue step in the right direction for the city, but it will also serve as a template for other cities in a similar position to Mumbai. If they can do it, then it’s proof that ‘sustainability’ is not just a first-world buzzword but is in fact, something tangible and achievable by all. We take a look at seven ways Mumbai is working on becoming more sustainable.

See also: 8 Cool Sustainability Initiatives In Paris

FLOOD CONTROL WATER TANKS

The most immediate problem that city planners must solve is Mumbai’s annual flooding. While climate change has shrunk the city’s annual monsoon period from 120 to 70 days, the volume of rain has increased – and it’s often accompanied by gusty winds that contribute to further damage. To mitigate this, Mumbai has installed underground water pumps designed to siphon excess water and store it in massive underground silos. It has constructed three of these structures, creating a capacity of over 26 million litres.

Conservationists are also constructing 6,000 ‘rainwater harvesting pits’ in municipal gardens. They hope that these structures – which hold up to 5,000 litres – will prove popular enough for residents to install them in their neighbourhoods.

CLEANING UP

While Mumbai is India’s wealthiest city and home to the country’s highest number of millionaires and billionaires, it is also home to the country’s poorest population. In fact, over 40 percent of Mumbai’s population live in slums with little to no access to proper sanitation.

This simple but critical problem led Hindustan Unilever to establish hygiene and sanitation community centres around the city, with six open so far. They function as oases to slum dwellers – providing them with access to potable water, functioning toilets and laundry facilities, moving them away from using the city’s waterways for these activities.

ELECTRIFIED TUK-TUKS

Transport is another key focus, with plans to electrify Mumbai’s extensive urban transport network – including its cars, motorcycles, tuk-tuks and buses – to cut emissions and pollution. Authorities are targeting that by 2025, 10 percent of all registered new vehicles will be electric.

Mumbai’s state bus corporation will also put more than 2,000 electric buses on the road by 2023, as it begins a programme to convert 15 percent of its fleet to electric. The government is also encouraging residents to make the switch to EVs by implementing tax concessions and creating more charging stations.

SWAPPING COAL FOR THE SUN

However, the success of Mumbai’s EV programme hinges on the city being able to switch to more renewable energy sources. Currently, its entire grid is almost wholly powered by coal, which would make any EV programme expensive and unsustainable. Authorities are thus betting heavily on solar power; only green power projects will be approved going forwards, with a heavy focus on solar energy.

By 2026, Mumbai aims to generate over 17 gigawatts of electricity from the sun, helping the city meet its target of 35 percent of energy consumption coming from renewables. Buildings will be a focus for the increased installation of solar power sources, as they make up most of the city’s energy emissions.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Mumbai generates over 10,000 tonnes of waste daily that is delivered to landfills with little to no separation or processing, thereby further aggravating methane emissions. The city is aiming to cut its waste emissions by 10 percent via a zero-landfill waste management plan and planting urban forests.

While this is laudable, civic groups have also taken it upon themselves to accelerate this zero-waste strategy. Startups like Mumbai-based Skrap have been busy educating other businesses and organisations by preaching the gospel of ‘zero waste’. They also hold waste-free events with corporate partners to demonstrate simple, innovative ways to be eco-friendly and alleviate waste disposal.

PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR REGREENING

One of the most striking things about Mumbai’s current situation is its lack of green cover. Over the past 30 years, Mumbai’s development has sacrificed urban greenery, losing as much as 42.5 percent of its green cover to public and private infrastructure projects.

To reverse this, over 400,000 trees have been planted through volunteering efforts – and to advance this further, the city is borrowing the Miyawaki Method of cramming more trees into small corners to restore greenery. While this method alone won’t reverse decades of deforestation, it’s a positive step: between 2011 and 2021, Mumbai has recorded a 9 percent increase in forest cover.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

All these plans – while well and good – will require funding. Mumbai is fortunate enough to be India’s wealthiest city with access to a $6 billion annual budget. As the home to India’s wealthiest individuals and families, the possibility of privately funded initiatives is also more likely.

To further backstop this access to investment, the government has been raising funds through ‘green bonds’ that are geared towards climate mitigation projects. Since 2015, India has so far raised over $9.6 billion locally and overseas.

See also: 10 Most Eco-Friendly Cities in the World

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It’s easy to get stumped with all the new sustainability terms cropping up – but fret not! As part of our ‘Sustainability Defined‘ series, 8Shades is here to help guide you through the confusing world of responsible fashion, with these useful definitions for ten common sustainability terms.

See also: 10 Useful Food Sustainability Terms

Deadstock Fabric

This may sound an unnerving term, but there’s nothing sinister about it! When fashion industry people refer to ‘deadstock fabric’, they’re talking about surplus or leftover fabric, which wasn’t used or sold and would have been ordinarily thrown away. Instead artisans repurpose these materials, breathing new life into them by incorporating them into their existing designs or creating entirely new pieces with them, thus extending their lifespan and enhancing their sustainability.

Downcycling

This is what happens when you break down a product to extend its life, keeping it from ending up in landfill. An example of this is when you use old socks or garments as cleaning rags, or when clothing is shredded down for its fibres to be used as insulation stuffing. A popular example of downcycling is Nike breaking down old sneakers to be used to make basketball courts.

Fair Fashion

Also known as ‘fair trade’, this term is similar to its food equivalent – meaning companies that carry this label have ensured that the workers who make its clothes have been paid a fair wage and work at factories that meet or exceed safety guidelines.

Natural Fibres

These are fibres like cotton, linen or wool that come from plants and animals, instead of synthetic sources like polyester. Though these are generally more sustainable, not all natural fibres are biodegradable – especially if they’re treated with chemicals during the manufacturing process. For instance, while leather is a natural fibre, it actually has a larger carbon footprint than polyester.

Organic

While closely associated with food sustainability, the term ‘organic’ can also be found in fashion. Organic clothing means clothes that were made from materials like cotton, wool or hemp that have not been genetically-modified or grown with chemicals. In addition to not using any pesticides, organic clothing also has the added benefit of being biodegradable.

Pre-Loved vs Vintage

Both of these refer to second-hand items that you might come across via a thrift shop, hand-me-downs or swapping with friends. ‘Vintage’ items have the added distinction of being over 20 years old and accurately representing the style of a certain era, like bell-bottom jeans from the 1970s.

See also: 8Shades Of Christina Dean of Redress

Sustainable Collections

This is usually a brand’s way of highlighting their eco credentials, with collections that include items or accessories made from organic materials or eco-friendly packaging. Examples of this include Stella McCartney’s Mylo Bag that’s made from lab-grown mushroom leather and Zara’s Join Life Collection that uses fibres sourced from controlled-growth and protected forests.

See also: Why Is Sustainable Fashion More Expensive Than Fast Fashion?

Upcycling

This is essentially the opposite of downcycling. While both processes turn waste into usable material, upcycling involves repurposing waste to make it into a better product – for example, sewing shirts into bags or making leather scraps into mobile device cases.

Vegan

In addition to being cruelty-free and not tested on animals, vegan fashion also does not use any animal byproducts – so leather jackets, fur coats and wool mittens are a big no no.

Zero-Waste

The fashion industry is notorious for creating a lot of rubbish. Zero-waste fashion aims to minimise the amount of waste created during the manufacturing process, as well as considering how items can be repaired to keep them out of landfill for as long as possible. An example is using fabric scraps to create other fashion items.

See also: 8 Sustainable Fashion Brands in Southeast Asia to Know

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Not only will using the right terminology make you sound a full-fledged champion of ethical food consumption, you can also help pay more attention on the produce they buy, how they consume it and their role in building a better, more sustainable future.

To help give you a start on your way to becoming a positive influence in your community, here are 10 useful terms (and their definitions) for talking anything and everything about food sustainability.

See also: All ‘Sustainability Defined’ features

Biodynamics

A holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming that uses only organic additives to fertilise and preserve soil health. This approach also creates a closed BUT diversified ecosystem that includes plants and animals, to maintain an ecological balance with little to no input from external factors.

Circular Food System

Circular economy is one of those phrases that has created a growing buzz in the world of sustainability. It usually means creating a more durable product that lasts a long time, enough for it to be reused, repaired or remanufactured.

In food terms, a circular food system means producing food in a less harmful, more regenerative way. It also extends to chefs integrating food scraps into their dishes, food sharing apps or the way food is packaged to use less plastic and more biodegradable materials.

Composting

Every eco warrior probably knows about composting: the act of collecting organic waste to use as fertiliser. While we usually associate composting with collecting food scraps such as rotting fruit, coffee grounds and eggshells, it can also include weeds, leaves and even grass clippings – after all, they are organic! Not only does this contribute to the health of the soil, but it also keeps waste out of landfills.

Farm to Fork & Farm to Table

Growing out of the local food movement, “farm to fork” or “farm to table” is the act of buying food from local producers or farmers’ markets rather than from national or industrial suppliers.

The assumption is that local farmers use more organic farming methods for their produce – no growth hormones or pesticides – and raise animals or livestock in more humane conditions. Patronising these local producers also lowers your carbon footprint and allows the local economy to thrive.

Fair Trade

For most of us, the term “fair trade” (thank you Starbucks) was probably our entry point into wanting to know more about sustainability. The term covers an arrangement that helps small-scale farmers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships.

This means that countries purchasing products labelled as “fair trade” are expected to pay higher prices for them, but with the knowledge that those goods were produced by manufacturers that have met the labour (no slave labour) and sustainability (reduced carbon footprint) standards set out by Fairtrade International.

Free Range

Ask different people and you’ll get different answers on what this one means. “Free range” is typically defined as a farming method where animals are allowed to roam, instead of being raised and caged in barns.

While the United States Department of Agriculture agrees with this definition on paper, it hasn’t actually implemented any regulations on how long an animal should be allowed to roam outside or what constitutes the space they roam in. So technically, a chicken that’s set loose outside before being… “processed” can be termed as a “free range chicken” – so be warned and do more research before your next purchase.

Genetically Modified & Genetically Engineered

While these terms, GM and GE for conciseness, are used interchangeably, there is a fine difference between the two. Both do involve genetic manipulation at a molecular level to allow something to achieve a desirable trait, which it normally wouldn’t have.

The difference lies in how the end game is achieved: GM does it though human or natural intervention such as cross breeding or selective breeding of plants within the same species, meaning it can happen naturally. Meanwhile, GE brings about change that normally wouldn’t happen in nature – through human intervention – by inserting genes from unrelated species.

Low Carbon Diet

This pertains to consuming food that is eco-friendly and has a low carbon footprint. It involves looking at how the food you consume is prepared, produced and transported. A “low-carbon diet” usually means shifting more to a plant-based diet and minimising or giving up meat and dairy, which the UN states are responsible for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Naturally Raised

Yet another term that is a bone of contention between food advocates and marketers. Strictly speaking “naturally raised” means animals that are grown without being given any medication, vaccines, vitamins or antibiotics.

However, this would mean that only animals in the wild can accurately claim to be naturally raised. Yet there are some certified animals that can carry this label while still being given parasitic medicine, but without being fed anything made with animal by-products.

Nose to Tail

This phrase refers to eating as much of an animal (‘from nose to tail’) as possible to minimise waste. For example, in addition to the traditional cuts of beef, more parts of a cow such as its organs or entrails should be prepared as food. This isn’t a new-fangled way of consuming an animal, rather a return to a more traditional way of eating and handling meat.

See also: 8 Sustainable Food Trends to Look Forward to in 2022

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It’s all but natural for the city to lead the sustainability movement. Paris is, after all, the home of the Paris Agreement from the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) that prescribed 1.5°C as the limit for global temperature increase to prevent severe climate change effects.

In our latest series called Green City Goals, we take a look at different cities around the world and how we can all learn from their sustainable initiatives, starting with Paris.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

Central to Paris’ sustainability efforts is the realisation of the ’15-minute city’. This concept aims to promote the idea of “hyperproximity” where the basic essentials – public transport, shops, schools, etc – are all within 15 minutes from a Parisian home. Doing this not only strengthens the local (read: neighbourhood) economy but also reduces carbon emissions by encouraging walking or biking instead of driving.

See also: Take a walk on the wild side

THE NEW AMSTERDAM

Speaking of biking, we’re familiar with the stereotype of a Parisian on a bike, wearing a beret and carrying a baguette. Well, get ready to see more of this in the near future (beret and baguette, optional). City authorities cleverly took advantage of the reduced public commuting during the COVID-19 pandemic to build over 60km (out of a 180km target) of bike lanes to add to the city’s already extensive bike lane network.

By 2026, Paris aims to be 100% cyclable with over 180,000 bike parking spaces. This program is important as Paris has passed a resolution to ban diesel cars by 2024 and all petrol cars by 2030.

BRAND NEW LUNGS

Plans are also afoot to literally green the city. Urban planners will be creating ‘urban forests’ next to landmarks such as the Gare de Lyon and Opera Garnier to add more ‘lungs’ in an increasingly congested city. More than 170,000 trees are targeted to be planted by 2030 and this is further being encouraged by updating building codes to make it easier for residents to plant trees in their neighborhoods.

A GREENER CHAMPS ELYSEES

In addition to greening the city, another eye-popping plan is the proposal to create a ‘tree tunnel’ in Paris’s most famous thoroughfare – the Champs Elysees. This is part of the masterplan to make over the 19km street in time for the 2024 Olympic Games. Not only will this transform the area to a tree-lined, urban forest but also reduce the number of car lanes from four to two, to create more space for pedestrian and green areas.

30,000 BINS AND COUNTING

Did you know that Paris is blanketed with over 30,000 bins? That’s a waste bin available every 100 metres. Authorities took this important step to ensure that waste is discarded of and recycled properly, as Paris aims to adopt a zero-waste strategy and create a circular economy. Door-to-door collection is also being stepped up, especially from restaurants and food markets with the aim of halving food waste by 2025.

REPAIR INSTEAD OF CHUCKING

However, Paris doesn’t want their residents to get the wrong idea that more waste bins should equal more waste. Part of their zero-waste strategy is to also set up ‘Ressourceries’ around the city in an effort to teach Parisians to repair things instead of throwing them away. Whether it’s furniture, appliances, clothing, or even toys, this program lets people get hands-on with keeping their “broken” items out of landfill.

SPROUTING GREEN ROOFTOPS

Paris has a green roof law dating back to 2014 – when Hidalgo took the reins of the city. It decreed that new buildings built in commercial zones must be covered by plants or solar panels. Since then, the city has made its mark in renewable energy with over 76,000sqm of solar panels already installed on Paris rooftops. By 2030, the city is targeting to have 20% of buildings equipped with these PV cells.

ZERO INTEREST ECO LOANS

One of the biggest obstacles in Paris’ greening initiatives is the question of what to do with older, heritage buildings. While new developments can easily be made sustainable and receive the ‘Habitat et Evironnement’ certification, it is tricky to retrofit older buildings and require more investment. While there is no set official template, the city government has been encouraging owners to go green by extending financial incentives such as tax credits and zero interest eco-loans.

See also: 10 Most Eco-friendly Cities in the World

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The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability – named after its primary donors venture capitalist John Doerr and his wife Ann – is the university’s first new school in over 70 years and will start operations in September.

It will initially be staffed by 90 faculty members and will add 60 more positions over the next 10 years as its focuses on studies covering climate change, Earth and planetary sciences, energy technology, sustainable cities, natural environment, food and water security, human society and behaviour, and human health and the environment. 

The Largest and Best Funded Sustainability Program

With a combined endowment of US$1.69 billion, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability will be the largest and best funded sustainability programs in academia, and positions Stanford to be one of the leading voices in weaning of the world from fossil fuels and preventing widespread climatological disasters. 

The new school will fold in several of Stanford’s existing programs that deal with environmental issues including the famed School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (also known as Stanford Earth). Also joining are the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment that currently serves as the university’s hub for environmental studies, and the Precourt Institute of Energy that focuses on energy research and policy creation. 

It will also feature a sustainability accelerator program that will promote any policy and technology coming out of the institutes – or other related university programs – and develop them with external partners.

See also: Impact Kommons: Asia’s First UNSDG accelerator

WHO ARE THE DOERRS?

The US$1.1 billion gift by the Doerrs rank as the largest endowment in Stanford’s history and the second largest gift in higher education, just behind the US$1.8 billion given by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Johns Hopkins University for student financial aid.

Doerr is an investor at venture capitalist firm Kleiner Perkins. He was the driving force in funding some of the most successful tech companies in the world including Google, Amazon, Sun Microsystems and Intuit. He previously worked for Intel and holds several patents for memory devices. 

Doerr is also the author of Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now and credits his daughters who after watching Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth propelled their family to be active on environmental issues.

See also: David Attenborough: 10 Best Documentaries to Watch

With this gift, the Doerrs join the ranks of ultra-rich individuals that have donated huge sums of their wealth to fight global warming. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently committed US$10 billion towards the Bezos Earth Fund, while Bloomberg said he was willing to spend up to US$500 million to help close down coal-fired power plants.

And let’s not forget Bill Gates, who through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have been steadily funding initiatives working on climate-related issues.  

Learn more about the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

See also: 6 Must-See Documentaries About Food Waste

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The post Good News: Stanford Launches Sustainability School With US$1.1 Billion Donation appeared first on 8Shades.

Sustainable products are usually more pricy than their conventional counterparts simply because they are more expensive to produce – often requiring quality raw products and specialised processes. They can also be hard to find, and even then, you’d still have to do your due diligence into seeing if they are truly sustainable or just greenwashing.

See also: Greenwashing? Take My Money… Not

However, one company is out to change all these barriers to sustainable shopping by making it both more affordable and accessible. Meet Cerqular, an LA-based e-commerce startup, that’s created an online marketplace solely dedicated to eco-friendly goods. Think Amazon or Taobao, but stocked only with products that are 100% certified to be sustainable – meaning organic, vegan, carbon-neutral, upcycled or recycled.

Founded by the husband and wife team of David Friedrichs and Janine Aeroporos, Cerqular was borne out of their passion for sustainable living. While they may not have been your typical dyed-in-the-wool eco-warriors – with Friedrichs working in pharmaceuticals and Aeroporos in the legal and financial sector – they have always sought to live sustainably and hoped to make it more commercial and available to the masses. And so, in 2020, they started Cerqular.

E-COMMERCE, THE SUSTAINABLE WAY

Cerqular currently features over 80 mission-driven brands and more than 58,000 products, with around 400 new products added daily. Brands include German denim brand, Dawn Denim, UK-based accessories maker, BEEN London, and Asian names such as Japanese apparel brand, Kapok Knot, and Singapore’s WhatIF Foods.

Some Hong Kong brands we have spotted on Cerqular include KIBO, Tove & Libra, and Just Peachy Diapers.

The right timing

Cerqular entered the market at a very opportune time. Eco-friendly products are a US$150 billion market in the US alone, while the global ethical fashion industry will be worth over US$15 billion by 2030. These figures are still dwarfed by conventional products (especially fast-fashion), but the market for sustainable products is growing at a rapid pace.

A recent study by consultancy firm Simon-Kucher & Partners also reveals that there’s a paradigm shift now happening with consumers. Consumers in the past have been overly conscious of price, but a new generation of consumers – specifically millennials and Gen Z – are supporting companies that sell products with clear “end-of-life solutions”. In fact, 42% of millennials and 39% of Gen Z are willing to pay more for sustainability – by as much as 32% more.

A MARKETPLACE YOU CAN TRUST

While many sustainable marketplaces tend to focus on a single or few product categories such as fashion apparel, electronics, or accessories, Cerqular carries all that and more – including beauty products, home furnishings, groceries, and even pet essentials!

With so many product categories covered, Cerqular needs to vet every single seller and product that’s listed on their site. Knockoffs are filtered out of the platform regularly, so rest assured that what’s actually on there is both sustainable and genuine.

So is it expensive? Friedrichs assures us that the pricing on Cerqular is competitive with the brand’s own website, giving consumers the choice to shop where they feel most comfortable. However, Cerqular does run a loyalty program that lets shoppers earn points (aka. cerq-cash) for discounts on future purchases. They also collaborate with brands on special promotions that make their prices equally – if not more – affordable than conventional products.

That’s not all – Cerqular even offers a 100% carbon neutral shipping option by partnering with Sendle to ship orders, particularly in the US and Australia – a courier service that mitigates the impact on the environment.

Cerqular in Asia + exclusive 8Shades discount!

While Cerqular has been focused on the US for its launch, they also have their eyes set on Asia as a high-growth market. In fact, both of Cerqular’s founders, Friedrichs and Aeroporos, lived in Hong Kong for seven years (up until 2019) and know the region well.

Cerqular is happy to offer 8Shades readers an exclusive discount of 20% off everything on the marketplace from now until 31 May 2022.

Simply use the code ‘8SHADES20‘ at checkout and start shopping here!

Make the 8Shades Switch:

The next time you’re in the mood to shop, try these easy sustainable switches:

• do your best to support sustainable brands
• shop on sustainable marketplaces like Cerqular
• go for pre-loved fashion like HULA and Vestiaire Collective

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The post How Cerqular Is Bringing Sustainable Shopping To The Mainstream appeared first on 8Shades.

Faced with this alarming trend, Hongkongers Carla Martinesi and Chris Wettling came up with an idea for the community to access unsold food at the end of the day, buy it at great deal, and of course – as with most things these days – do it digitally, right at their fingertips.

Thus, Chomp was born. This mobile app (IOS/Android) fights food waste in Hong Kong by allowing consumers to purchase a Mystery Box – packed with perfectly edible goodies – from a partner at a discount, and rescue food that would otherwise be headed straight to landfill.

A NO-BRAINER SOLUTION

The founders of Chomp have been passionate about food waste from a young age. “Even in our homes, we’re always sharing tips for using up food scraps and ways to extend food,” shared Martinesi. Both also took up hospitality courses and were involved in the F&B industry, with Martinesi working at hotels and several restaurants including The Upper House, while Wettling’s father used to be the executive chef at The Peninsula.

While Chomp isn’t the first to tackle food wastage in Hong Kong (there’s also other food rescue apps like Phenix or Breadline), their fresh approach to the market is what they say differentiates them.

“We are definitely newer, smaller, but that makes us incredibly flexible and easy to work with,” said Martinesi. “Our solution is 100% app-based which makes working with us, that much easier since it’s right in your hands.”

The concept behind Chomp is as simple as it gets: After downloading the app and signing up for an account, users can start looking for vendors offering the “Mystery Box”. Once you’ve selected one, simply purchase and arrange for a pickup time – and that’s it!

Each Mystery Box can be anything – from a box of teas or liter of milk to a sandwich or an assortment of treats – and sold typically around 15-25% off, sometimes bigger.

Since its launch in August 2021, Chomp has steadily built a network of 60+ F&B partners and a loyal user base – skewing more to a local audience – that’s on the lookout for deals in Hong Kong’s most popular foodie locations such as Causeway Bay, Central, Sheung Wan and Wanchai.

Fire up the app and you’ll see establishments such as healthy dish purveyors Food Folk and Nosh, local favourites Lok Cha Teahouse and Golden China Restaurant, or neighbourhood bakeries such as Lily’s Pastry or Lo Chen offering deals.

In addition to trying to solve wastage, the founders also saw Chomp as a way to help F&B establishments who were already struggling because of COVID-19 to attract new customers and gain an additional revenue stream.

“We focused on local businesses especially now during COVID. They are the ones that need the most support,” shared Martinesi.

A BRIGHTER FUTURE…PAUSED?

With Hong Kong currently in the midst of the fifth wave, Martinesi and Wettling are working hard to help out the local F&B scene and firmly believe that panic buying and hoarding are not the answer.

“How much food are you really going to freeze until the lockdown starts?” asked Martinesi. “Next time you’re thinking of buying a couple loafs of bread to put in your freezer, why not open Chomp and see if your local bakery in your neighbourhood has goodies in need of rescuing and support their business at the same time!”

Chomp’s Long-term Goals

Moving forward, both founders continue to refine the app and grow their presence around Hong Kong. Their ultimate goal: to have a partner in every district, while promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. “If we could bring that number down from 13 million (rice bowls thrown out daily) to 12 million, every small step counts and every crumb matters,” shared Martinesi.

In addition to a growing partner and customer base, Chomp’s mission is also being noticed. In November 2021, they were accepted by Impact Kommons as part of their third cohort, which would allow Chomp to further optimise their operations, scale their solution and expand within the New World Group’s ecosystem.

See also: 8Shades Of… Anne-Claire Béraud of Phenix by OnTheList

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