Category: Sustainable

Triathlon to Bring Awareness to Renewable Technology

The organizers of the Encap Triathlon, to be held this September, on Arran Island hope to attract 2,000 entrants of all abilities, but given that the swimming will be held in Lamlash Bay, which is on the Irish Sea we can only expect this be a rather chilly experience.

But that’s not the point. For organizer Nick Scott, co-founder of Encap, a Glasgow-based firm that works to help its clients reduce cost by reducing energy consumption, while also working to identify renewable technologies, the event could still be the largest held yet in Scotland. And it could further give an economic boost to the island, while helping shed light on Encap’s goal of bringing out green technology for business. Many of the competitors will also be there to raise money for various local charities.

Triathlons are growing in popularity in the U.K., and the Encap Triathlon will consist of a 1.5km swim, a 23-mile cycling course followed by a six mile run. In addition to the cold water, and good cause we expect this event will have some spectacular scenery as well.

[Via Telegraph.co.uk: Arran to host Scotland’s biggest triathlon]

Encap Arran Triathlon

Encap Limited Official Website

Pedal Power to Purify Water

Over the years we’ve heard of how bicycles can generate power for lights (on the bike and off), but how about purifying the liquid needed to cool down the rider? That’s the idea of a new bicycle that could soon be mass produced for the developing world. Nippon Basic Company announced a new bike system called Cycloclean that needs only manpower to help run a motor to pump water through a series of filters, purifying five liters (1.3 gallons) of water in about a minute.

So far the company has sold about 300 bikes since launching the system in 2005, and soon the bikes could be mass-produced in Bangladesh, where demand for the cycles has increased. The only drawback could be the cost – currently the bikes sell for about $6,600 – making this a rather expensive glass of water. But if costs can come down, this could be a way to have clean, safe drinking water for those long rides.

[Via Bangkok Post: Japan touts pedal-powered water purifier]

Chris Del Bosco to Donate 1,000 Solar Light Bulbs

We reported a couple of weeks ago that Skicross World Champion Chris Del Bosco would spread the word on the plight of those without electric lights in Africa, and true to his word he worn an LED helmet that spelled out the word “NOKERO” to mean no kerosene during his silver medal performance in the X Games in Aspen.

To celebrate his victory at the 2011 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championship it has been announced that Del Bosco would donate 1,000 solar light bulbs to Kenya. Del Bosco has been raising money through the Ski 4 Light program to help bring Nokero solar light bulbs to those often live in the dark.

With his latest victory Del Bosco has pleaded to now donate 1,000 more bulbs to the program. We at KineticShift.com salute his efforts! Way to light up someone’s life Chris!

Ski 4 Light Program Official Website

The Gym as the New Power Plant

When you go to the gym, do you think about how much power you’re expelling? The Columbia Athletic Club, part of Columbia Association, in Columbia, MD, just installed 28 Green Revolution stationary bicycles to divert the power exercisers produce and put it into the facility’s power grid.

The bikes in the spin class work to power the building. Each 45-minute cycling class averages about 20 bikes, and produces as much as 3.6 Megawatts of energy over the course of the year. That’s enough power to light 72 homes for a month. It reduces about two tons of carbon emissions per year, according to Green Revolution Inc.

Does it feel like you’re generating energy on the bike? “The ride is actually smoother than it was previously, so that has been an added bonus!” said Leslie Flynn, general manager of the Columbia Athletic Club.

“The generator does not add any measurable resistance to the bike,” explained Mike Curnyn, chief strategy and marketing officer and co-founder of Green Revolution, the Ridgefield, CT-based company that supplies the green bikes.

Since adding the bikes to the gym, Columbia Athletic Association has seen an increase in participants in its spin classes. “We have added two classes due to an increase in demand, partly because of the new Green Revolution bikes, but also in part to the usual increase during the busy season,” said Flynn, referring to January to March when more people attend fitness classes. The club currently runs 22 classes a week and looks to put more on the schedule. “We are maximizing our energy producing potential,” Flynn said.

Columbia Association

Green Revolution

Meet Copenhagen’s New Waste Treatment Plant and Ski Slope

A new waste-to-energy plant on the outskirts of Copenhagen will double as a recreational ski area. Design firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) won the design competition for client Amagerforbraending to create a waste-to-energy treatment plant on the crossroads between a residential neighborhood and an industrial zone. Another criteria for the building is to serve as a recreational area.

Continue reading Meet Copenhagen’s New Waste Treatment Plant and Ski Slope

Chris Del Bosco Lights Up Africa From Ski Slopes

This week Nokero International Ltd., maker of the world’s only solar light bulb, announced an interesting partnership with Olympian  and X Games Ski Cross defending gold medalist Chris Del Bosco to provide light for those in Kenya. This is part of a new program called Ski 4 Light, which will be launched at the ESPN Winter X Games 15 in Aspen, Colorado.

Del Bosco will be wearing a Nokero-enhanced helmet outfitted with an LCD display and solar panel when he competes Friday, January 28 and Sunday, January 30. The skier is doing this to bring attention to the 1.6 billion people who live daily without electricity across the globe and often burn kerosene for light. Del Bosco, a Colorado native, is looking to use his talents and exposure in the sports world to spread the word and help bring light to those who need it most.

“I believe in setting goals and going after them,” said Del Bosco. “My goal is to help raise $20,000 in donations, translating into 1,000 Nokero bulbs for the people of Kenya.”

The Nokero bulb is already being used in over 70 countries that have limited, intermittent or no electricity such as Haiti, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Ghana and Chile. The Ski 4 Light project’s aim is to directly help the people in Kenya, who live with no electricity and use dangerous fuel-based lanterns. With each $20 donation, a Nokero solar light bulb will be delivered to Kenyan.

Del Bosco and Nokero have further pledged to give 1,000 bulbs to impoverished people in Kenya if he can win the Winter X Games 15 Skier X competition.

Nokero Official Website

Loeka Women’s Cycling Clothier Starts Recycling Program

It’s hard to let go of that loved cycling jersey, or the shorts with the perfect padding. If you recycle the garments, they really are going to a better place … back on the trails. Women’s mountain biking label Loeka Clothing just started a clothing recycling program that gives incentive to those who turn in their gear for recycling.

Loeka started manufacturing women’s mountain biking apparel in 2005; just enough time that the clothes might be showing just a little wear, or you might want to switch it up for a new design. Fill out a form on Loeka’s website and either mail in your gear or take it to a participating retailer. Retailers currently include Ruckus Skis, Boards and Bikes in Prince George BC; Ski Dazzle at Silverstar Resort; Mt Washington Alpine Resort, Mt Washington BC; Pedal Chic Greenville, South Carolina; and Iride Vermont, Stowe, Vermont.

Continue reading Loeka Women’s Cycling Clothier Starts Recycling Program

Baggy Shoes

We’ve seen a lot of products turned into other things, like the American Express Card dress worn at the Oscars a few years back – and we’ve heard about products using recycled plastics that can be turned into all sorts of things, including bike frames.

Now Civic Duty is doing its something unique. The company has introduced a new line of futuristic sneakers made from FedEx airmail envelopes, mounted to a recyclable rubber sole. The result is a shoe that is easy to stash in a carryon bag, yet is comfortable for hours of walking – best of all it is waterproof thanks to its Tyvek material so ideal for those trips during the rainy season.

The shoes, which are available for purchase now online, are the brain child of Steven Weinreb, Civic Duty founder and Chief Inspiration Officer. The shoe’s material promises to be both comfortable and breathable while being water resistant and highly durable. It should also be easily recyclable as well. Best of all it comes with a worn vintage look right out of the box.

Civic Duty Official Website

NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

At the North American International Auto Show, also referred to as the Detroit Auto Show, Daimler’s smart ebike concept bike was on display. We wrote about the bike last fall when electric car manufacturer smart planned to display it at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. We thought it was worth showing again now that we got to take a look at it, and find out more details.

It’s a striking bike. The simple modified triangle design looks futuristic. While it looks light, it weighs in at approximately 50 lbs. With a full charge, the bike has about a 50 mile range though that varies on how much you use the electricity versus pedaling. There’s four modes of electric assist that seem to kick in as needed rather than controlled by the rider. At 50 lbs. I can see wanting the assist more often than on any of my current bikes, especially when faced with a hill. You recharge the battery slightly when you brake, so you can squeeze a few more miles to a ride if you’re strategic. Continue reading NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

Fisher Skis has announced that its utilizing its new core technology with it natural basalt core. These promise to be considerably lighter than many standard materials including fiberglass, awhile the new core material should have a significant effect on the ski’s weight and performance. For the new season this natural basalt core will be available on four ski models.

The company has moved to replace the traditional manufactured laminate with that of the natural fibers made from volcanic rock, and this is part of the Fischer’s commitment to the environment. These efforts to use the basalt will eliminate the chemically-intense process that is involved in creating fiberglass, as well as its harmful byproducts.

To this end Fischer’s Air Core Basalight technology is produced in an environmentally friendly process, but it has the added benefit of reducing the weight of the skis to that of more expensive carbon fiber skis. This makes them up to 70 grams lighter than the fiberglass-core predecessor. These are now available on the new CRS Vasa Skate and Classic models as well as the Superlight Crown and Wax skis. Continue reading Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

Nike Moves Toward Sustainability with Collaborative Design Tool

Expect to see more environmental, sustainable products from Nike and hopefully the industry. The company just released its Environmental Apparel Design Tool to foster collaboration between companies, and maximize the use of sustainable materials and processes.

The Environmental Design Tool is an open source tool based on Nike’s Considered Design Index. This is seven years in the making and the company has made a $6 million investment in the software-based system to help designers make real time choices that decrease environmental impact in their process. Continue reading Nike Moves Toward Sustainability with Collaborative Design Tool

From Skate Deck to iPhone Case

There comes a time for every skateboarder to realize that the old deck just can’t be used any longer. Whether it is cracks in the wood or just other structural issues, skateboard decks just can’t last forever. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t live on afterward.

Portland, Oregon based MapleXo has long been turning trashed decks into thrasher jewelry and now the company is looking to turn old skate decks into iPhone 4 cases. However, the catch is that the company is releasing just 50 limited edition cases so you better skate over to the website quickly to sign up for one.

MapleXO official website

[Via Recombu.com: MapleXO x Grove iPhone 4 cases are made from recycled skateboards]

Hands-on: Boo! Freighting Good Ride With Bamboo

While visiting the Gates Carbon Drive System booth at the 2010 Outdoor Demo in Boulder City, NV, there was one bike the jumped out as being completely unique from all of the other manufacturers using the belt drive system. That manufacturer was Boo Bicycles from Ft. Collins, Colorado. The feature that really made this bike stand out was the use of bamboo as the main tubes and stays of the frame. Bamboo is one of those materials that has picked up steam as a building material in the mainstream recently due to its beauty and more importantly its sustainability as a building material.

Unlike traditional lumber, bamboo can be harvested for use as a building material in a few years as opposed to a few decades. For centuries, Eastern cultures have used bamboo for everything including building shelters, weapons, food and textiles. Boo is certainly not the first manufacturer to use bamboo in a bicycle frame, but they are one of the few to use the material in every single frame they produce. Continue reading Hands-on: Boo! Freighting Good Ride With Bamboo