The Power of Plants

1st Ed. 12th October 2018

THE POWER OF PLANTS

From Plastic to Plants: Exploring the potential of plants in a move towards sustainable living.

CONTENTS Foreword..............................................................................................................................4 Bioluminescence: The Future of Light?...............................................................................5 Nanocellulose: Nature’s Super Material.........................................................................7 Look Book: LUSH Cosmetics..............................................................................................9 Believe In Bamboo.............................................................................................................11 Everyday Plant Uses.........................................................................................................13

Photography by Keelie Smith, 2018

FOREWORD This magazine was creted with the intention of encouraging readers to explore and support the use of plants in our everyday lives.

I have compiled a collection of existing plant based alternatives for everyday produt use, and have researched the futuristic, but forseeable uses of plants.

From plastic replacements to waste reduction, plants hold many thus far overlooked potentials that can ultimately change the way we live, and alter the path we have set for ourselves, in terms of our environmental future.

I have presented outsourced information, as well as including my own personal knowledge on plants and their uses and benefits.

It is my goal, in creating this magazine, that you, as the reader, will look for these sustainable alternatives, and join me, as we walk towards a greener future.

Keelie Smith

BIOLUMINESCENCE: THE FUTURE OF LIGHT? WED 28 FEB 18 theurbandeveloper.com

COULD CITIES REPLACE STREET LIGHTS WITH GLOWING TREES? Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been experimenting with that by making plants and trees glow brightly enough, the need for electricity would be drastically reduced, helping to cut back on power usage, emissions and cost. if successful, MIT hopes that their glowing flora could be use to provide low-intensity indoor lighting, or to transform trees into self-powered street lights.

FRI 15 DEC 17 curbed.com

MIT DEVELOPS A GLOWING PLANT THAT COULD ONE DAY REPLACE DESK LAMPS Lighting accounts for roughly 20 percent of the world’s energy consumption, so why not make it greener? Literally.

A team of MIT engineers have created living bioluminescent lamps out of watercress plants with the goal of one day replacing conventional electrical lighting with the glowing greenery. The plants were not genetically engineered into lamps. Rather, they were treated to soak up a solution of nanoproteins inclusing luciferase, the enzyme that enables fireflies to give off their bioluminescent glow.

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The Brilliance of Bioluminescence Leslie Kenna

Creator Unknown (https://nasglowingplants.wordpress.com) 2015

Lacy Cooke (https://inhabitat.com/mit-engineers-just-unveiled-living-glowing-plants/) 2017

Creator Unknown (https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/could-cities-replace-streetlights-with-glowing-trees/) 2018

Creator Unknown (www.futureearth.com.au/glowing-plants-future-ligting/) 2015

NANOCELLULOSE: NATURE’S SUPER MATERIAL

Nanotechmag, Is. 40, 2016

TUE 07 NOV 17 geminiresearchnews.com

THE SUPER MATERIAL THAT CAN REPLACE PLASTIC Plastic trash is a rapidly growing environmental problem. But a biodegradable and natural material could replace plastic packaging and eliminate this problem.

Nanocellulose is a unique material that can potentially be used for many different applications, from replacing plastic in packaging, to helping the body repair damaged tissue or extracting more oil from oil wells.

Nanocellulose is nature’s own nanomaterial. Each fibre consists of a bundle of cellulose molecules that fit snugly together. It can best be ompared to a rope that is composed of many different thin threads. The fibers are strong and allow plants to grow straight and stand upright.

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Wesley Fenlon (https://tested.com/science/) 2013

WED 12 DEC 12 azonano.com

WHAT IS NANOCELLULOSE? Nanocellulose is a light solid substance obtained from plant matter which comprises nanosized cellulose fibrils. This new material is a pseudo-plastic and possesses the property of specific kinds of fluids or gels that are generally thick in normal conditions.

The lateral dimensions of nanocellulose range from 5 to 20 nm, and the longitudinal dimension ranges from a few 10’s of nanometers to several microns.

- Lightweight - Electrically conductive - Non-toxic - Biodegradable

Nanocellulose: It’s A Wrap!

Vegar Ottesen

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LOOK BOOK: LUSH COSMETICS

au.lush.com

LUSH was developed and has grown from 1995 in Poole, England, and focuses on producing ethically sourced and natural, plant based products. The company fights fiercly against animal testing, and are working on preservative free cosmetics.

LUSH provides the opportunity to return empty packaging to any store for recycling purposes, and a number of their priducts, if not recyclable, have no form of packaging, cutting down on a huge amount of potential watse.

LUSH Cosmetics is a great, plant based alternative for all your skin and haircare needs.

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PRODUCTS DISPLAYED LEFT: Charity Pot Hand & Body Lotion $14.95/95g, Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub $14.95/100g, Respect Your Elders Soap $6.95/100g, The Big Blue Bath Bomb $6.95/200g.

RIGHT: Love and Light Hand Crea, $19.50/100g, The Olive Branch Shower Gel $7.95/100g, Sea Vegetable Soap $6.95/100g.

Photography by Keelie Smith, 2018

BELIEVE IN

Find more products like these at: www.bambooaustralia.com.au http://bamboovillage.com.au houseofbamboo.com.au Photography by Keelie Smith, 2018

Bamboo to Save the World Pablo van der Lugt

BAMBOO WHY BAMBOO?

WWW.ECODESIGNZ.COM

The delicate grain of bamboo, whether natural or amber-toned, make it a distinctive, elegant, and subtle material for fine furniture and flooring.

Bamboo can withstand a great deal of use without damage. It’s stronger even than oak, considered the most durable hardwood. When laminated, bamboo is nearly as strong as soft steel. Bamboo doesn’t swell or shrink as hardwoods do, making it ideal for furniture and floors.

Bamboo renews itself readily, unlike hardwood trees, which, once cut, are gone forever.

Bamboo is an endlessly renewable resource.

Farmed bamboo stabilizes the earth with its roots, preventing erosion. It takes in greenhouse gasses and produces oxygen. In fact 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. It can also provide habitat for birds and animals (though our bamboo is not preferred by pandas, and is therefore panda-safe).

Parts of the bamboo that aren’t suitable for furniture are used for many other products.

Though the bamboo is fast-growing and renewable, we’re still committed to using each bamboo stem without waste.

Creator Unknown (https://rebelwalls.com.au) 2018

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EVERYDAY

FREESIA Freesias are grown from blulbs and have a strong, pleasant scent.

Because of this, they can be used in many cosmetics, such as shampoo and purfume, rather than other artificial scents.

Freesias are widely used for their aromatherapy benefits, as their scent can reduce stress levels.

Placing boquets of freesias around your home or work place can significantly improve your mood.

Great incentive to decorate with real flowers rather than fake plastic ones!

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ROSE Rose plants are famous for their beautiful scent, and, as such are widely used for cosmetic purposes.

Rose hips can be made into jam, jelly, marmelade or soups, as they have a high level of Vitamin C. Rose petals and buds can be dried and brewed as tea, either on their own, or as a mixted tea with other herbs.

The rose flower is antiseptic and anti-oxident. Rose water can soothe the skin, and in the treatment of eye infections.

Another perfect ornamental flower.

PLANT USES

PEACH TREE The Peach Tree is known for its soft fuzzy fruits, which can provide more than just a tasty snack. Peaches are shown to be beneficial in our physical health, helping to detoxify our systems, protect out teeth and bones and many others.

Peach Trees have more applications than just edible fruits. Oils extracted from their leaves can be used in remidial skin care, and fragrances.

When boiled and mashed, the fruit can be applies to help improve sunburn.

WATER LILY Water lilies are often crucial in fresh water ecosystems, providing food for many herbivorous animals, and habitats for others. As such, water lilies can be used in fish farming, whcih would cut down a huge amount on the need for artifically produced fish food.

The root of the plant is antiseptic and aatringent. When mixed with rhizome, it can be used as a decoction. Itt can also be used to treat sore throats, and has theraputic uses in easing anxiety and insomnia.

Photography by Keelie Smith, 2018