Eco 2013

+ eco-friendly household *Anwithout any major changes?

energy, how does it work?�

Lefteri on durable *“Solar *Chris and: 4 solar myths: BUSTED! materials

we be without water? * Will What can we do?

It is possible!

001 - 2013

WIN! Sunshine rger solar cha

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Contents Where to start?

The world could use some positive changes in these times. Our political leaders and captains of industry must take the bull by the horns and make changes happen! Not least in the field of ecology! We all are convinced by now that profound changes must take place if we want keep the world liveable for future generations. Fortunately, we already see much evidence of these kind of changes.

Cars running on solar energy are breaking record after record; there is more and more investment in electric transport, wind energy, durable household products, etc., etc...

As an individual consumer, employee or employer, there are also many changes we can accomplish. We can be aware of our environment, and make smarter and more efficient use of energy and materials.

This magazine pays attention to this subject from different perspectives in a light-hearted and pleasant tone. Eco+ magazine wants to contribute to an environmentally conscious attitude and stimulate the contributions we can make regardless how small these may be. Because you have to start somewhere and taking this personally is, after all, not a bad start.

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Editorial office P.S:

Do not forget to complete the puzzle giving you the chance to win great prizes, which enable you to make your own contribution in an easy way!

Solar energy, how does it work?

Find the ten characters scattered throughout this Eco+ magazine and create the required word, obviously comprising ten characters!

How do you participate?

Go to the website www.xdeco.com/win and fill in the word there as well as your own contact data and the name of the distributor (see back cover of this magazine).

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Contributors are automatically informed if they have won a prize.

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All rights are reserved. No part of this work, or of the information mentioned herein and / or derived from this and / or developed in relation with this, in any form, may be reproduced or used. Legal action will be taken against any violation hereof. Note: All prices mentioned in this catalogue are indicative. Deviations in price, colour aberrations and misprints are accepted.

All prints shown in this catalogue are designed merely to demonstrate the products and serve as a reference only.

Rights XD Eco + has done its utmost to respect the rights of all entitled persons and parties. Of some images perhaps not all entitled persons were traced. Should you consider yourself an entitled person, please do not hesitate to contact XD Eco+ via info@xdeco.nl.

Queries More information about XD Eco as well as the entire XD Eco product programme is available from distributors, or via www.xdeco.com.

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My friend Bill Clinton

Chris Lefteri on durable materials

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Win your own Sunshine Solar Charger!

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The Battle The Bottle

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Tips on how to save: Running an eco-friendly household Solar & Design: stay charged using the sun Greenest European cities, the top 5 “Booming bamboo”, the best grass in the world

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From bad to worse, will we be without water?

Alternative energy sources: what’s available today?

Check in - Check out: sustainable solutions Simply save € 1.000, by implementing small changes

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Chris Lefteri

Chris Lefteri is an internationally recognized leading authority on materials and their application in design. His achievements in this area have created an unparalled bridge between the materials and the design industry.

Text: Chris Leftery

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ccording to www.worldometers.info at 16.54 GMT on the 5th March 2013 (the moment this was written) 3,690,602 mobile phones had been sold today across the world and

as of today there are 14,883 days left until the end of coal. These compelling statistics, and equally compelling website, clearly show that the environmental impact of our hunger for products is a theme that should be at the top of the global agenda.

But for such an important challenge the world of sustainability sometimes feels like a muddle of increasingly confusing information, filled with terminology and contradictory information about what is good and what’s bad. In relation to material’s for example: are bioplastics good or bad? Is it ok to have biodegradable materials or is it better that they are compostable, or indeed is it better that they don’t disappear at all but can be infinitely recycled?

Is it ok to have biodegradable materials, or is it better that they are compostable?

It is essential that research focuses on as many options of how to address our dwindling resources in our industrial, throw away, object obsessed society but take bamboo for example. Just because you make your fabric from bamboo fibres instead of cotton doesn’t always make it a better, or even eco-friendlier, product. There are good reasons to use bamboo and there are reasons for using bamboo that actually make no difference to using cotton at all from an environmental standpoint. When it comes to alternatives to petroleum-based materials, some “experts” even argue that using biodegradable, plant-based materials on a large-scale, industrial basis would be a disaster for the environment, because these materials emit methane when they degrade in the landfill, which is actually worse for the environment than Co2. On the other hand

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many materials from plants are not taking from the food chain but utilising waste.

Since sustainability

into account what we know about them to reduce their impact on the planet.

generated a mass-awakening

Plants have never been more important

of consciousness at the tail

Paperfoam and Wellboard are

end of the 90’s, people have

highly versatile biodegradable

become a lot more savvy to the

cellulose materials essentially made

trend for putting eco labels on

with paper without any binders

everything from a juice carton

or adhesives and in the case of

to an office chair. But as there

Paperfoam it’s a foamed material that

are more options for new

Paperfoam and Wellboard are highly versatile biodegradable cellulose materials

can be moulded into more complex

Fabric 100% made of recycled PET bottles

types of materials it is clearly

shapes than your standard egg box and are both renewable and

becoming more confusing as

biodegradable but doesn’t use food crops.

to which are the best materials for reducing environmental

The difficulty with all these materials and their use in products

impact. Alongside the traditional plastics derived from

is they are essentially invisible, with the only way a consumer

oil for example there are an increasing number of

knowing they are there is by reading the label, and it’s the design

materials that are grown. In a BBC interview, Professor

of these labels that is at the heart of a better understanding

Stephen Hopper, Head of Kew Gardens in London said

of eco materials. Hermann Miller are one the new breed of

that “plants have never been more important”, referring

companies that attempt to lay their eco message clearly out with

to their use in reducing the impact of climate change, in

an initiative called “Perfect Vision”. This is not just a standard

medicine, food, energy and as raw materials. In those

“eco label” but which consists of a broad set of

terms, we are only just starting to scratch the surface of

sustainability targets that through design and

what is possible to do with plants and materials.

materials sits in three territories: the chemical make up of the materials, disassembly of the product and whether materials can be

Amongst this new generation of plastics (or if we can still call them plastic) that are beginning to evolve into

recycled and are they made from recycled

a higher level of eco are materials such as reSound™, a

materials. Timberland on the other hand

material that is made of a proportion of starch combined

have a “nutrition label” that gives consumers

with a tough grade of plastic that allows it to perform

a simple explanation of its product and

at much higher levels of performance that the first

corporate environmental footprint.

generation of bio-plastics. In addition there is also UPM ForMI a plastic from the Finish wood giants UPM who

Most of us really want to be good people:

are using the small unwanted branches from trees that

eat chickens that have been allowed to roam; Paperfoam

can’t be used for timber, breaking it down into pure cellulose and combining it with standard plastic giving

buy timber products sourced from sustainable and managed forests; buy packaging that’s

it much more strength and stiffness than the equivalent

made with a biodegradable plastic. But there

reSound™ handle on XD Design Brolly umbrella

virgin plastic. Less advanced in its development and

is a point where over use of a theme, that is

at the other end of the “grown’ spectrum is a method

confusing, stops having meaning and becomes

of converting waste from thousands of tons of chicken

just a fad. In the world of sustainable design

feathers, that are the by-product of the food industry

and materials we have hit the point of maturity

into plastics, a technology developed by Commonwealth

where it’s no longer enough to just cover our

Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

conscience with the right buzzwords, but to

in Australia.

keep exploring as many options as possible, from the right materials to right type of straightforward information.

But amongst these new materials lets not forget about revisiting the properties of all the materials like paper that have been around for thousands years and taking

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Paperfoam products

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Save energy Practical tips for an eco-friendly household

Office

Bathroom Tips by the BBC: :

The Eco mouse has a button to easily set your computer on standby. This way your computer consumes minimal energy, but remains switched on.

• Take a 5 minute shower instead of a bath! This will save you a third of water consumption, about 400 litters per week!

The idea is that sometimes you do not actively use your computer, but you should be able activate your PC immediately. The same button on the Eco mouse activates your computer quickly from the standby mode.

• The Shower coach sticks to the wall with a suction cup. The hourglass can be turned just like a kitchen timer. Very simple and effective.

Bedroom Instead of charging your phone or tablet all night via the net and often consuming too much power, you should use a solar charger. During the day it saves energy and during the night it can charge your appliances. And it is trendy!

Kitchen Your refrigerator and freezer consume an enormous amount of energy. By setting both to exactly the right temperature you will save you a lot of energy and thus money. The refrigerator is the most economical when the temperature is set at 4 ° and the freezer when set at -18 ° Celsius.

Recycle bags are an ideal solution for you to organize waste separation. A simple, sustainable way to separate glass, cans and paper.

Living room Stop the unnoticed energy guzzling of stand-by TV’s, hi-fi and other electronic equipment. Use an intelligent stand-by killer with a remote control sensor. Switching off your equipment with your remote and standby killer makes sure that in no time all equipment is completely off, in this way saving energy and reducing the risk of fire.

Garden

Y Garage Motion sensors can help in areas where you do not go very often and / or not stay for very long. They do not save as much as CFL lamps. Anyone who cares already has energy saving lamps in the house. The motion sensor may just save a little extra.

Bedroom: Tab solar charger stand Living room: Standby Killer Garage: 360 degrees motion sensor Office: Save standby mouse Bathroom: Eco booster coach

Kitchen: Energy saving set Home Kitchen: 3pcs recycle waste bags Garden: Bird set Washroom: Laundry dryer set

Making your garden or balcony bird friendly is more important than you might think. A healthy living environment ensures that birds like to be there and, in a natural way, help to control insects. Furthermore, with a little luck, you will be rewarded with the cheerful singing of many species.

Washroom Dryer balls reduce the time required for the laundry in the dryer to dry. And since time is money, using these you not only save time but also energy and money. An additional advantage is that your laundry is less wrinkled coming from the drier. And on a sunny day you, of course, use good old clothes pegs to dry your laundry in the sun.

www.xdeco.com

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Solar myths

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SOLAR ENERGY Cheap & greener electricity from sunlight

Ancient invention

Endless possibilities

Solar energy is one of the oldest, most reliable and most sustainable forms of energy. Sunlight has for centuries been used as an important element for the illumination of houses and buildings.

For an example of the use of solar lighting in antiquity think of the Oculus in the Pantheon of Rome. The Romans who built this the incidence of light not only used it to illuminate the Pantheon, they were also able to use heat from the sun to provide hot water to the wealthy inhabitants of Rome. They used what actually is like a contemporary solar boiler. In ancient times, the sun was already exploited to gain salt from salt pans by means of evaporation, a technique which is still used today.

In modern times concentrated sunlight can be used in a similar manner to clean sewage water by evaporation. The sunlight helps to disinfect and distil the water. Where in the past all drinking water was obtained by distillation powered by the sun, nowadays this technique is applied to obtain drinking water in places where it is not immediately available. Even in everyday applications sunlight has often been used for centuries, for example, something as mundane as the daily drying laundry.

With advancing technology ever more inventive methods are found to use the sun as a source of energy. Where the sun in the past was used primarily as a source of light and heat, solar energy now is used more widely to generate electricity. Along the road side you increasingly find traffic signs running on solar energy, and calculators and solar-powered phone chargers are everywhere.

Further development in efficiency and dimensions of solar cells will lead to even more applications. The wider use of solar energy in, for instance, means of transport should, especially given the dwindling supply of oil, certainly be considered. An increasing number of scientists and engineers see the practical use of the electric car. Currently, the electric car is provided with solar energy mainly indirectly (through charging), but in the future we will undoubtedly see vehicles propelled directly by solar energy.

Photovoltaic energy >> Photovoltaic energy (in short “PV” for Photo Voltaic) is

more common than generally thought. Nowadays, the most common form of solar energy is electricity which is obtained via PV cells.

Since this technology is rapidly becoming cheaper and increasingly easy to use and install, it is spreading fast worldwide. Not only households, but also farms, industries and governments increasingly start grasping the benefits of PV energy. Consequently solar panels appear more and more often in the everyday streetscape. National subsidy schemes frequently form an extra incentive.

With the rapid succession of developments in the field of thin-film solar panels and organic solar paint, solar energy is rapidly becoming more flexible to use. This makes it likely that PV energy will be a major pillar of the energy infrastructure in the near future.

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The cost of solar energy decreases rapidly. Since 1980, an annual average drop of 7% can be seen in the cost per watt through solar cells. One of the myths is that solar energy would be too expensive.

This myth only considers the current cost of solar energy, or uses a now obsolete average over the past five years.

“Solar energy reduces electricity costs in the long term”

During peak hours of electricity demand suppliers charge a higher price for electricity. If more solar energy is added, higher prices at peak hours can be reduced. A frequently heard myth is that solar energy costs consumers extra money. But what happens to that money? According to German data most of this money flows back to households, businesses and farmers in the form of grants and subsidies.

“Solar energy also works on cloudy days”

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The advantages of solar energy

“Solar is getting cheaper”

Eclipse torch Eclipse Desk torch

Source

Money

Maintenance

Additional lighting

One of the many advantages of solar energy is that it comes from a sustainable source: the sun. The sun will continue to deliver energy when energy sources such as coal and uranium have long been depleted.

Initial cost of solar may seem very high, but there are short-term and long-term benefits of solar power to be reckoned with. When solar cells supply more energy than is used, the surplus energy can be supplied to the electricity grid and the power company will pay you for it.

After the installation of solar cells, there is little or no maintenance required on the panels. And an average installation will last about 30 years before replacement is required.

Even if you do not run your entire household on solar energy, using smaller solar panels you can still keep a lot of lights on and reduce costs. Garden and Christmas lights, fountains and other outdoor gear with integrated solar panels are widely available. This also saves running a lot of cables and making connections!

It is proven that some solar modules actually are more efficient under dimly lit conditions. A wellknown myth is that solar energy can be generated only during sunshine. This is incorrect. On a cloudy day a solar still yields about half of what it can generate on a sunny day. There are many countries in which clouds occur frequently that have embraced solar energy such as Germany, China and Canada.

“Solar energy will compete with fossil fuels”

In 2010 the cost of solar energy dropped below that of nuclear energy. And now it’s clearly on its way to drop well below the price of fossil fuels. It is often said that solar power, concerning its price, can not compete with fossil fuels. But if the effects of coal on the environment and health care are included, solar energy is already cheaper today. Even without these effects solar energy will eventually be cheaper than fossil fuels, given the price development of both.

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SOLAR & DESIGN keep your phone charged by the sun

Photovoltaic solar panels >> PV cells convert (sun) light into electricity. Solar panels consist of

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multiple solar cells that are connected to each other. Each solar cell is made of (amorphous) silicon in which, under the influence of light, a voltage difference is created. The yield of conventional solar panels lies between about 5 and 10%. Most devices only work on an alternating current of 230 volts.

Therefore usually a convertor (also called inverter) is needed.

The convertor ensures that the current from the solar panels is converted to an alternating current of the proper voltage. This current subsequently can be applied for personal use. PV systems can be connected to the electricity grid. This makes it possible,

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in case of overproduction, to supply electricity to the electricity grid.

Also PV systems can provide energy in remote places for example for communication systems, water pumps etc.

Thermal solar panels Thermal solar panels work on the principle that the sun heats a fluid that flows through the solar panel. The liquid, usually some kind of coolant, is used for the hot water supply in the house. These systems are also called solar water heaters. A solar water heater consists of a collector (solar panel), pump and a storage tank. In the storage tank the heated liquid transferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heat to the tap water. This preheated water is heated further by a geyser, heat pump or boiler and then flows to the tap or shower.

Source: duurzame-energiebronnen.nl

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R Solar Tree Art in Milan

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whose work is considered as the ultimate when it comes to

3. Bat emergency battery

stimulating to think differently about the design of our threedimensional world. One of his most recent projects is realised in Milanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand new business centre Porta Nuova. The Solar Tree

4. Port solar charger

stands there centrally on the Piazza Gae Aulenti. For more work by Ross Lovegrove see:

5. Tab solar charger stand

www.rosslovegrove.com.

Your own Solar Tree in miniature?

from your supplier of promotional products.

1. Solar Suntree

2. Sol travel charger

Ross Lovegrove is an artistically-minded designer and visionary

XD Design Solar Tree is available

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6. Sunshine solar charger

7. Solar sunflower

Top 5

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eco-friendly European cities

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Reykjavik This is the most eco-friendly city in Europe. Actually being an island in an island, Reykjavík has everything to seduce you in a green way. You can visit green, eat green, travel green and sleep green. As a tourist you can indulge yourself in all aspects of green in this breathtaking city. And the inhabitants of this city have fantastic sustainable facilities available for their use to reduce dependence on resources that inevitably will be exhausted in time.

Malmo When travelling past the Scandinavian beauties, people probably tend to overlook this city. Malmö has a huge impact on the cultural life in Sweden and Denmark (it was previously part of Denmark). This modern and independent city has set itself the admirable goal to become and stay one of the most ecofriendly cities in Europe. Tirelessly they are working on realizing their 10-year plan to run the entire city on durable energy. Another spectacular feature of this plan is that it pursues a three dimensional growth strategy ecologically, socially and economically. Ambitious and admirable.

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We design products that stand out from the crowd. We deliver sustainable, affordable uniqueness. Rio unites 100% RPET and well thought out design in a series of urban bags.

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Copenhagen Pioneering and responsible urban planning give Copenhagen a place in the top 5 most eco-friendly cities in Europe. Breathtaking planning goes hand in hand with undisturbed medieval architecture and typical sidewalk cafes. The open spaces make this city a pleasure to discover. Prepare yourself to walk through the city as a tourist; there is hardly room for polluting motorized transport. If you really do not want to walk you can also rent an electric car to see the sights. Furthermore, Copenhagen is also home to many green spaces that guarantee a unique experience.

London Wondering how London has ended up in this list? London is not only dull and grey; there is a whole new side to London to discover. There is of course ‘the Tube’, the remarkable underground system that reduces the exhaust emissions in the city. Additionally, the entire public transport network has been expanded which is very eco friendly and the city accommodates many hotels and restaurants that give the environment a high priority and act accordingly.

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Rio

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Barcelona How much charm can an old metropolis retain? Interestingly, Barcelona has always been able to hold on to its captivating charm and beauty. In Barca tourism is largely organised around extreme eco-friendly principles. The city also expects tourists to adapt to these promising principles. This makes it justified that Barcelona has its place in the top 5 European Eco-friendly cities.

Source: www.greendiary.com

1. Rio RPET laptop bag 2. Rio RPET utility bag

100% made of recycled PET bottles

3. Rio RPET laptop backback

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Booming Bamboo

YOU • • •

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Bamboo is botanically classified under the grasses and probably one of the world’s most sustainable resources. It is the fastest growing grass that, under ideal conditions, can grow almost one metre per day. Unlike trees, bamboo can be fully grown in a single season of about four months. In three to seven years, the bamboo can grow to maturity and be ready to harvest.

The average human brain consists of about 78% of water 66% of the human body is water Human blood is six times as thick as water

Because of its rhizome system bamboo does not need to be replanted.

The new shoots absorb sunlight and convert CO2 into oxygen through photosynthesis. Bamboo does not require pesticides for protection or fertilizer for growth.

YOUR WORLD

Processing bamboo into products is a small change that may form a major contribution to the ecological impact over time. Use bamboo, save water, fossil fuels and energy.

• Approximately 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water, only 2.5% of it is freshwater. Of the freshwater almost 70% is trapped in glaciers and polar ice caps, almost 30% in groundwater and only about half a percent can be found in rivers and lakes • Almost 97% of the earth’s water is saltwater or otherwise undrinkable. 2% of all water is trapped in glaciers and polar ice caps. This leaves a meagre 1% for human use, agriculture, housing, industry and private consumption.

• Between today and 2025 it is expected that the demand for fresh water is growing by 17% to meet the growing population in developing countries, and that total water consumption will increase by 40%.

• The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean • One centimetre of rain over an area of one square kilometre equals more than 10,000 litres of water, which is sufficient for 134 full baths!

• Water is the only substance in three forms (solid, liquid, gas) on earth.

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YOUR ENVIRONMENT • • • • • •

80% of the diseases in the third world countries are water related.

A banana contains 75% water Cucumbers consist of 96% of water Giraffes can not swim An elephant’s trunk can hold 5 litres of water Rain contains vitamin B12

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1. Pip oil & vinegar set

5. Glu mulled wine set with

glasses

2. Herba herb garden

6. Cocoa chocolate fondue set

3. Plant pot

7. Cutting board with 4 pcs

4. Bamboo ballpoint pen in box

hygienic boards

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Running out of water, running out of time?

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“The most valuable asset in today’s world and probably the rest of the century is not oil, natural gas, other durable energy sources or even gold.

It is water. Clean, clear and safe drinking water.”

Follow the money If you want to spot new trends, follow the trail of money.

Today, many of the leading investors and businesses put their money on water. A little research quickly shows why.

There is simply not enough drinking water available, and this situation will only worsen before it gets any better.

According to Bloomberg News, the present scarcity makes freshwater already more expensive than oil. The Bloomberg World Water Index since 2003 has paid out 35% annually, where payments on oil and gas are at 29%, and even at 10% for the other sectors.

“There is only one direction the price for water can go now, and that’s up,” says Hans Peter Portner, who manages a fund of almost three billion U.S. dollars at Pictet Asset Management in Geneva in a report by Bloomberg News. The value of the fund grew by 26% in 2005, and Portner expects further growth of the fund by 8% per year until 2020.

Freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce The United Nations expects that by 2050 more than two billion people will not have sufficient fresh water available.

Approximately 97% to 98% of all the water on Earth is salt water (depending on the source). Much of the fresh water is trapped in glaciers or polar ice caps. Lakes, rivers and groundwater cover approximately 1% of the fresh water.

If the expected global warming leads to further melting of glaciers and polar icecaps this will make the stock of freshwater shrink increasingly. First, the freshwater mixes with the salty ocean water and become too salty to drink. In addition the sea level will rise and thus the salt water will contaminate fresh groundwater in coastal regions.

To further complicate matters 95% of all cities in the world dumps untreated waste via the sewers into rivers and

Annual consumption in m3 per capita of the population 0

500

1.500

2.000

2.500

U.S.A. Greece Libya Canada Mali Russia Germany Australia Israel Brazil Iceland England Netherlands Japan

Agriculture globally demands the bulk of freshwater

Egypt India China Agriculture

Industry

Consumer

Source: www.wired.com

other freshwater sources. Thus making these sources also unsafe for drinking.

The need for clean freshwater is growing rapidly.

While the fresh water stock at its best is stable, and is decreasing in more negative scenarios, the world’s population increases significantly. The United Nations estimates that the world’s population (about 6.5 billion in 2006) will rise to about 9.4 billion in 2050.

Flow, stop & go By saving water you not only help the environment but also your wallet. Tap Traffic Light is a tap water saver of German manufacture. The LEDs are powered by a water turbine. The colour of the LEDs indicates how long you have opened the tap. Is the valve open for long, the LED begins to flash.

Tap Traffic Light.

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Every single day 150 million plastic water bottles are sold.

Only 25% are recycled. The rest ends up as litter or in a landfill.

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To produce a water bottle, this is the amount of oil you need.

And four times as much water as fits inside the bottle.

Refilling of your plastic bottle? Better not. Bacteria grow well on the edge and the only way to prevent this is by cleaning the bottle with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly between uses.

Ever seen anyone do that?

Š Chris Jordan Every single day 150 million plastic water bottles are sold.

A huge industry for its production, filling and transportation.

A quarter of the bottles are recycled, the rest is waste.

The environmental damage is enormous and the problem is growing.

And all that while we do not need this water: what comes out of the tap is just as tasty and just as healthy. www.thebattlethebottle.com

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Most adults lose about 10 cups of water per day through normal body functions such as breathing and perspiration. In order to allow our bodies to work properly, we must compensate the water we lose.

Make it your battle and your bottle. More and more companies are entering into this battle. It is an easy step to, at the same time, save both the environment and a lot of money.

The bottles can obviously be personalized with your company logo and printed in a colour of your choice.

Refill your own bottle? Preferably not. For reuse provides an opportunity for bacteria. Therefore, there now is The Bottle. An indestructible bottle with a wide mouth which makes cleaning easy. A product with a clear message. A story of social awareness and durable entrepreneurship. Exactly the story that is high on the agenda of your customers.

It is not just a bottle, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a company statement. www.thebattlethebottle.com

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Alternative energy sources

What is available besides fossil fuels?

Manpower

Solar Energy Increasingly popular is the use of solar panels.

Where in the beginning solar energy was applied particularly in small items such as calculators and watches, we now find complete roofs and large plains covered with collectors.

And also on ships and in prestigious races such as the “World Solar Challenge” solar panels are applied more efficiently as energy converters.

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Wind energy We all know the big wind farms in the open field.

They lead to fierce confrontations because of the spoiled view, sound and effect on birds, but they also provide a substantial contribution! However, there is one important detail: the wind has to blow!

The wind of change

While solar energy already is well known today by its applications in the consumer market, another source of energy may also be about to break through in that sector. Large wind turbines are already a known phenomenon in Europe,

Twist torch

Geothermal energy

The core of the earth holds lava and rock at many thousands of degrees. It continues to stay hot because of radioactive reactions in the inner part of the earth. This heat can be applied to heat buildings, but also in order to generate electricity. The energy generated from internal heat of the earth is called geothermal energy.

Nuclear energy

both on land and at sea. For many years’ technicians, scientists and companies worked on producing smaller models that are suitable for the private market. The

We all know the dynamo chargers for the bike and flashlight. There is a limitation to our strength, and in addition, this must be supplemented by food and drink, which, in turn, costs energy. So for giving a little light yes, but human power alone will never solve the energy problem.

Eclipse solar torch

latest in the row may have tackled the winning formula.

The Dutch company “The Archimedes BV” has developed a much smaller model, suitable for domestic use, which can compete with solar panels, both in terms of cost and revenue. By focusing the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes and his studies and drawings it seems this company has now succeeded.

Solar radio

Their wind turbine distinguishes itself by combining high efficiency with low

Hydroelectric power station

Biomass energy

This is a nice application when river and mountains can be combined. Water simply flows through a turbine, generating electricity. Nothing new, this has been done this way for centuries by watermills generating energy for factories and machinery.

Electricity can be generated from uranium: nuclear energy. Moreover this results in net 10 to 100 times less CO2 emission than fossil fuels. About the same result as for electricity production from wind, water and sun.

But opinions vary strongly about nuclear energy.

investment. The European premiere of “Archimedes” was on 12 December 2012 at the Innovation Centre Sustainable Building (ICDuBo) in Rotterdam.

The Archimedes Urban Wind Turbine is a new type of turbine, formed of three coils that are braided together and enlarged. This leads to a three-dimensional

Fusion

cone-shaped turbine, very similar to some of the deep shells that can be found on beaches. The scientific term for such a technological solution based on appearances in nature is called bio-mimicry or bio-imitation. The special construction ensures an optimum yield that is much higher than that of the known open propeller windmills. In addition the wind turbine is much quieter

Tidal energy Another old principle can be found in utilizing the tides of the seas and oceans. By constructing a dam near the coast where the water flows through turbines energy can be generated. The tide is there day after day, year after year, the only drawback is that the salt water affects the power plant and means that regular and often costly repairs are needed.

than its big brothers in open field or water.

This year The Archimedes will officially launch the turbine on the Dutch market.

3pcs recycle waste bags

Biomass is in fact released during recycling. Still much research is required in order to optimize production and reduce the negative side effects such as the release of chlorine and fluorine emissions – that cause acid rain - . Positive aspect: we manage to reduce our mountains of waste.

The spiral shape and the low noise level make it ideal for use in urban areas. The hip helical design of the turbine and the aerodynamic shape following the theory of Archimedes provides a much higher yield than the traditional windmills. The investment in an Archimedes wind turbine is much lower and the period for recovering the costs is much shorter compared to that of solar panels.

Source: www.dearchimedes.nl

In nuclear fusion light nuclei fuse together to form heavier nuclei. This releases immense energy. The sun and the stars work this way. Since the 1920s science understands how the sun manages to radiate so much energy, it has been a dream to copy that energy source on earth.

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27

Bill Clinton

Green and sustainable: until recently you had to frequently explain yourself if you did anything in that direction, currently you have a lot to explain if you do nothing with it. Journalist Max Christern has been writing about this for years and knows that you achieve more with your stories by being inspiring than pedantic. In line with this conviction, he wrote his experiences for this Eco+ magazine concerning the durable power of a good story.

Text: Max Christern

B

ill Clinton is one of my best friends. Yes, that is one of the most unforgettable tips I ever got during a course â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;creative writingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: provide a catchy first sentence that drags your reader into

your story.

If you now have started reading this sentence, this theory still

seems to work. Thank you Bill! And my catchy opening sentence is not total nonsense either. For I actually did meet Bill about four years ago and during at least five minutes he certainly behaved as if he fully agreed with the first sentence of this story. What happened was in fact quite comical. I would like to tell you this allowing me to come to the core message of this article next.

Bill Clinton is one of my best friends The story takes place in April 2009. Bill Clinton, together with Tony Blair, was invited as keynote speaker at a symposium on climate change, organized by the Swedish Postal Code Lottery, a subsidiary of the Dutch organization. Both men spoke for a full theatre in Stockholm with excellent routine. They primarily addressed the opportunities we have to look for to find solutions to the crises the world struggles with.

At that time I was editor of Ode Magazine, an international magazine that focuses on people and ideas that change the world (www.odemagazine.com), with many articles on sustainability, leadership, innovation and meaning. For many years we practiced left: middle: right:

Max Christern Bill Clinton Ivo Opstelten

optimistic journalism so the words of Clinton and Blair sounded

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like music to my ears. After their performance, I had the opportunity to briefly meet the speakers to be on a photo with them.

that crazy picture began a series of photos of famous people who read our magazine. From Bill Gates to the Dalai Lama, they all

Opstelten, then commissioner at the lottery and former mayor of

went on the photo with Ode. We made it into an informal campaign

my hometown Rotterdam, offered to introduce me personally to

and it worked mainly as a conversation cracker: the conversation

Clinton. “And give him a copy of your magazine, he will like that,”

with new readers or advertisers that we wanted in our magazine

was his advice.

with their campaigns, in this way got a whole new and successful dimension.

When I was introduced to Clinton and gave him the magazine, the former president

A good story is more effective than any campaign or brochure

immediately became enthusiastic. “Thank you Max”, it sounded (Americans have the enviable trait to use your name immediately so they do not forget it, what never happens anyway).

But to my surprise, he went on: ‘I know this magazine, it’s all about optimism, and I love it.

This anecdote is a somewhat long introduction to the core of

I want to subscribe to it,” he said, and called

my story, but I hope you are still there, because here he comes.

his assistant to hand me his card with contact

With the photo and particularly the story of Bill Clinton and Ode

details. An animated conversation developed

we, unintentionally, achieved something beautiful. We sold our

about some of the topics on the cover of the

magazine easier, both to readers and advertisers. Why? Since we

magazine. And Bill was only becoming happier

told about our meeting with Bill on our platforms. And because

and happier.

a good story is more effective than any campaign or folder.

R

Meanwhile there grew panic around Clinton, because it was not the custom that Mister President (the title you keep for life)

Tony Blair

Especially where it is about sustainability people often experience pedantic pushiness if you tell them that it is better to consume less fuel, burn less gas, consume less energy. The message of ‘less’ is rarely received with enthusiasm. But if something is more ‘fun’, it

spoke to the guests so extensively. It was

immediately is a different story.

supposed to be a quick photo not a drawn-out chat. So after five minutes (that was four and

Another proof for this thesis: when the cleaning company Ecover

a half minutes longer than planned) Clinton

presented its new line of cleaning detergents, there was a press

was told in a friendly but clear manner by

conference. The director at that time understood that a story about

assistants that it was time for the photo.

the biodegradable formula of his products would not immediately

Without hesitation he picked up the magazine

lead to enthusiasm among the media. So what did he do? After

and held it to his body. And Opstelten and

his brief explanation of the new line he drank a glass Ecover toilet

I were like two happy assistants merely

cleaner to prove that it only contained biodegradable stuff. A

laughing at his side. When the photo was

wonderful story that everyone gladly tells, even now. And Ecover,

taken and we said goodbye to Clinton, we

partly because of this story, still sells very well.

walked as surprised and excited about what just happened to us, away from the hall. But

Or take the Swedish product

immediately a lady came running up behind

developer Mats Nilsson who on

us. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, would you not like to be on a photo with Mr Blair?” She said.

an occasion was commissioned

Dalai Lama

by a major international

Blair? Yes of course, he was there also. “It’s like Madame Tussaud ‘,

corporation to invent a safe

Opstelten laughed as we walked following the cheerful lady to Tony

and healthy alternative for fire

Blair, who meanwhile had waited for minutes all alone until his

retardants filled with hazardous

friend Clinton finished his ode to Ode.

chemicals, used in carpets, upholstery and plastics. When

The photo with Bill holding Ode in his hands was my souvenir of a special evening in Sweden. And it was more than that: with

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during a dinner party with

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friends who had used too much

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hot Spanish pepper in their dish Nilssons tongue felt as if it had caught fire and his host gave him a container with a mixture of yogurt and lemon to ‘extinguish’ this ‘fire’ in his mouth. It worked immediately and with that experience in his pocket, he developed

We introduced a new range of products that are not only durable, recyclable, sustainable, but

a healthy flame retardant based on citrus fruit and yoghurt

also wonderful to give and to receive. This way

which now sells worldwide. And finally, the

‘eco’ perfectly fits into the strategy of socially

story of the Dutch woman removed vegan cooking from the corner of the eccentrics to

responsible corporations who like to combine

mainstream: Lisette Kreicher a few years ago

‘people, planet and profit’.

wrote “Veggie in Pumps” and with her funky

www.xdeco.com

cookbook became a trendsetter for healthy and sustainable food and life. She removed the prejudice that vegan food a lot was not allowed and presented it as the hip, fun and delicious.

Home energy saving set extended

Who saw this female version of Jamie Oliver in the kitchen could only think that something divine was being cooked. Her own favourite recipe: red cabbage with ginger bread sauce. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to you.

Storytelling is the best marketing tool So it is done in the world of green and sustainable: show that

Gardening set

Bird set

life is nicer, better, richer and more fun by sharing stories. If you do this well, then the stuff sells itself. Really, storytelling is the

Finally, briefly about Bill again, because that writing course I followed also taught me that you have to complete the circle.

Every reader likes that. So, one year after Stockholm I met Bill again. In a packed hall in Davos in the margin of the World

Battery saving set Energy saving set

Economic Forum, he presented a lecture to a group of students.

I was a journalist for the Forum in the Swiss mountain village and decided to also attend his lecture. I had another Ode with me and posted myself modestly near the exit, at the end of a row of students who wanted to be on a photo with him. When he reached the end of the row, he did to me what he did all in line before me: he looked at me - and he not only saw me but also that magazine.

And to my amazement he said, “Hey, that’s Ode again. Good to

Home energy saving set

Energy saving starter set

Office set

Water awareness set

see you Max! “This really happened, I swear. It will therefore not surprise you that I cherish our friendship, even though I suspect that for my friend Bill this is slightly different. But this should not in any way reduce the fun of this story.

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t f s i that g e h ple T as

best marketing tool.

. t e n a l p e h t e

32

0

waste

CHECK IN CHECK OUT

33

100% innovation

Recycled PET bottles -> rPET

rPET finds its origin in plastic packaging, especially for bottles.

This used plastic is sorted, cleaned and transformed into new packaging, including governments approved food packaging.

You do not need to do extreme things in order to realise some environmental and money-saving measures.

Here are some basic suggestions to get you started.

An example of another application: the Rio XD Eco bags series.

100% rPET in three trendy models: * Laptop backpack * Utility bag * Laptop bag

Unplug yourself!

Reduce the slumber consumption of standby power (consumption by deactivated appliances at home and in the office switched to standby). The simplest solution is switching off these devices completely when not in use. It is also possible to install a ‘bye-bye’ standby plug or a smart meter reducing power consumption to zero after the appliance is switched off.

TV saver socket with infrared switch.

O

Trash it

Corn Plastic

You breathe a sigh of relief when you have dropped a ketchup bottle on the floor. What a fine material polyethylene terepthtalaat (abbreviated PET) is, virtually indestructible. Most plastic containers and bottles are made of, so it ends well!

However if you drop the same bottle in our environment, then it is a different story.

Why? Because oil-based products such as PET do not compost as easily as organic materials. Here are some everyday products and their required degradation times:

What at first glance looks like ordinary plastic is actually polyactic acid (PLA) plastic, made from specially grown crops. Indeed: corn plastic. You can drink coffee from it, store vegetables in it, but above all you can be assured that it is much more sustainable than, for example PET. You can count on it, like on this PLA calculator

5 minutes

Plastic

An average person spends approximately 8.5 minutes under the shower, room for improvement. By reducing this to 5 minutes you can save about 35 litres per shower. That means weekly savings of 225 litres ... An average family of 4 in this way could save about 50,000 litres of water per year, equivalent to two full container trucks! A simple shower coach helps you remember when the five minutes are over.

Mini shower coach.

500 years

Use CFLs

These are known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and they use less than a third of power compared with the ordinary light bulb. They also last 10 times longer.

So they earn their costs back within a few months. If in every household in Europe one light bulb was replaced by a CFL the energy saved could be used to provide light for 3.5 household for one year.

Aluminium can

500 years

Organic material

Your own herb garden

Do not buy herbs, grow them yourself and use these when cooking. Place the Eco herbal set with the included note crayons and seeds in a sunny spot in the house or outside and you’re started. 3 pcs herb garden with chalkboard writing surface.

Outdoor work

Farmers, surveyors, builders, architects, foresters and others who are working mobile or outdoor benefit from a charger providing them at all times with sufficient power for phone or tablet. Solar energy with Sol is the answer. Free energy, functional even on cloudy days. Keep your mobile topped up and keep your business connected with the Sol travel charger!

6 months

Cotton, paper, rags 6 months

Air defence

If you can not flee, it’s best you have a good protection for what falls from the sky. The Brolly Umbrella is the greenest umbrella of the country: the canopy is made of recycled PET, and the ergonomic crooked handle with unique opening and closing system is made of Resound material. Keeps you durably dry!

21.5’ Brolly in 4 colours.

34

35 This page may save you Green shopper

Worldwide between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic disposable bags are used! This calculates to about one million bags per minute ... Using a personal reusable shopping bag helps to reduce this number.

In space mainly solar power is used for generation of electricity. This is particularly true for spacecraft moving in orbit around the earth and towards the sun. Spacecraft travelling away farther from the earth can no longer make use of solar energy.

€1.000 *

per year!

We are increasingly aware that energy sources are not infinite. Alternatives must be found and waste should be prevented. A nice aspect of reducing waste: it can save us a lot of money!

Square shopper.

Outer space

* £ 850 / $ 1300 / DKK 7500

Here's a list of simple tips to save energy and the amount involved.

Solar charged

The XD Design Window solar charger can be used to charge mobile phones or MP3 players in your car, office or at home. The clever silicone suction cup allows you to stick the charger with its collector side out on a window surface to charge even more efficiently with solar energy.

Window Solar Charger.

° Heating one degree lower

€ 111,-

° Heating, before departure or before the end of the day, lower

€ 380,-

° Two minutes shorter under the shower

Festival gear

Many festival goers often bring their own food and drinks, blankets and chairs and other essential attributes. The Seat’n Cooler is a practical product, made of durable PVC-free materials, strong and sturdy.

After the festival it can easily be folded and stored for the festival season of the next year

€ 39,-

° Replacing the shower head by a saving shower head

€ 35,-

° Running your washing machine at 30 degrees instead of 40 degrees

€ 12,-

° Drying your laundry in outdoor air

€ 23,-

° Use of radiator foil

€ 26,-

° Repairing seams and cracks

€ 75,-

° Use of energy saving lamps

€ 65,-

° Completely disable equipment instead of leaving it on stand-by ° Timely thawing the freezer ° Abolishing the second freezer

€ 65,€ 5,€ 85,-

€ 921,-

The above tips will help you to save in and around the house, but what about your car? The correct tyre pressure on average saves you a full tank per year. That is about 75 euro's, and this will only increase with rising fuel prices!

Cooler seat.

P Shower coach / Eco booster coach / Laundry dryer set / Eco House / Light bulb 220V and LED torch / TV saver socket with infrared switch / All in one digital tire gauge

36 Are you curious after all the information and tips, and are you wondering:

How green am I? Take the test and within 2 minutes you know!

Yes

50-80 85-120 125-150 points

points

points

?

No

I separate my paper, glass, cans and biological waste

10

I drive a hybrid car

25

5

When I get chilly, I sooner turn the heating up one degree higher than I put on a sweater or cardigan

5

15

If I need hot water, I catch the first cold tap water for other purposes until the tap water is hot

20

5

I prefer water from a bottle above water from the tap

5

10

When I brush my teeth the tap is running

5

10

A hot shower should last as long as the entire Bohemian Rhapsody, so I can sing it loud from start to finish

5

15

I close the curtains at night when I turn on the heater

15

5

At least half of all the lights in my house consists of compact fluorescent or LED lamps

10

5

I leave my TV at night on standby, so in the morning I can quickly turn it on for the weather and traffic messages 5

20

5

Of course you know all about the basic rules, and nobody needs to explain to you how important it is to care about the environment. It is not easy to always think about it, let alone to act accordingly. It might help to know that many of the actions you take save money! Acting green thus often means: saving the environment = savings for your account!

You can be very green if you put your mind to it. Environmentally conscious acting is in your character when it is about most common affairs. There are only few things about environmentally conscious living you do not already know about! But with just that little bit more background and some helpful tips you are able, to really live more environmentally friendly.

You’re as green as can be. There is not a tip you do not know about, no possibility you leave unexploited. You inspire others to live environmentally-friendly and you are always looking for new opportunities to do even better. You are a true “ambassador for sustainability”, one of an ever growing army!

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