The Best Green Designs from ICFF 2013 Day One!

Inhabitat's Top Transportation Stories of 2012 - Vote for Your Favorite!

by Diane Pham , 12/27/12

filed under: carousel showcase, Features, Green Transportation

From a real life Star Wars-inspired hover bike to near-indestructible airless bicycle tires, 2012 gave way to some incredible innovations in green transportation. Environmentally-friendly alternatives are certainly on the rise, and we were never at a loss for exciting new developments that put clean energy above carbon emissions. See our 6 most read green transportation stories below and then vote for your favorite!

Loading ...

ART

Inhabitat's Top 6 Art Stories of 2012 – Vote for Your Favorite!

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/27/12

filed under: Art, carousel showcase, Features

2012 once again saw an abundance of unique and beautiful eco art that captured our senses by using unconventional materials and methods. From intricate worlds built right into bonsai trees to horrific pumpkin zombies to NYC phonebooths transformed into mini libraries, check out the top 6 green art stories that rocked the charts and vote on which you think deserves to take the crown for 2012!

Loading ...

HOW TO: Swap, Sell or Steal Your Way to the Holiday Gift You Really Wanted

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/26/12

filed under: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, carousel showcase, DIY, Features, Green Holidays, green technology, Recycled Materials

You dropped hints, posted on your Facebook wall and even flat out told your relatives exactly what you wanted for your holiday gift, but sadly, you still ended up getting a Snuggie. But wait! Before you throw in the (in this case, fleecy) white towel, did you know that you can still swap, sew, sell or even steal your way to the holiday gift you really wanted? Read on to see our 5 tips on what you can do to take your happiness into your own hands – and get that Snuggie to someone who actually wants it!

How to Reuse, Recycle and Green Your After Christmas Waste

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/26/12

filed under: carousel showcase, Features, Recycled Materials

Want to get a P.H.D. in what to do with your P.H.W.? (That’s short for post-holiday waste in case you didn’t know.) While you may not have heard of the term (we kind of just made it up), we’re pretty sure you know what we’re talking about – the crumpled wads of giftwrap, the withering tree, that sweater from Aunt Mabel that was so fugly that it made a baby cry. Don’t worry if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, however – P.H.W isn’t contagious, and there’s a quick cure – read on to check out our 5 easy tips for what to do with all that stuff after Christmas!

Inhabitat's Top Environmental News Stories of 2012 – Vote for Your Favorite!

by Mike Chino , 12/26/12

filed under: carousel showcase, Features, global warming

From natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy to the intensifying threat of climate change, 2012 had its share of ominous environmental stories. But the news wasn’t all bleak – we also brought you the inspiring story of an Indian man who single-handedly planted a 1,360 acre forest and one company’s plans to create the world’s tallest skyscraper in just 90 days. Read on for our most popular news stories of 2012 – and make sure to vote for your favorite!

Loading ...

ART

Santa and the 'Shrooms: The Real Story Behind the "Design" of Christmas

by Holly McWhorter , 12/24/12

filed under: Art, Botanical, Decorative Objects, Features, Green Holidays

Most people think of Santa Claus and the cheery red and white we decorate with at Christmas as little more than lighthearted fun and pretty colors. But the real story behind that Christmas look that takes over the Western world at this time of year is a bit… shall we say, darker. Or at least way, way more tripped-out. Read on to find out about the psychedelic and mystical roots of the Santa Claus myth and the traditional Christmas decorating scheme!

6 Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Alternatives

by Beth Buczynski , 12/24/12

filed under: Features, Green Holidays, Recycled Materials

'Tis the season for gift giving! During the holidays, finding the right gift is only half the battle. Whether it's a DIY, upcycled, or store-bought gift, you've still got to find a way to wrap it up. For decades, we've relied on massive rolls of printed paper wrapping to hide our presents from prying eyes. Yet every year, it only takes a few seconds to unwrap a gift, and all that shredded paper heads off to the landfill. In the interest of reducing waste (over the holidays and every day), we decided to collect a variety of creative, more sustainable ways to wrap a holiday gift. Some are recycled, some are reuseable, but all will allow you to enjoy a holiday that's filled with fun, not waste.

PRODUCTS

14 Last Minute Gifts for the Green Procrastinator

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/24/12

filed under: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, carousel showcase, Features, Green Holidays, Green Products

Were you so busy surfing the web for cool gift ideas that you totally forgot to do any actual shopping? If so, there's no need to fret because we've got you covered with a last-minute gift guide full of clever and imaginative presents that can be whipped up at the 11th hour. Check out all of our ideas - from a basket full of practical presents they're sure to appreciate to the ever-elusive gift of closet organization and this foolproof crowdpleaser.

'Twas the Night Before (a Green) Christmas...

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/24/12

filed under: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, carousel showcase, Features, Green Holidays, Recycled Materials, Recycling initiatives

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the green house
“We’re not ready for Christmas yet!” the whole family groused
They’d all been too busy working and living
Seems like only a day had passed since Thanksgiving!
But they knew they still wanted a green holiday
So they prepared to celebrate thoughtfully – they could do it in just 1 day!

PRODUCTS

15 Green Gifts That Give Back

by Diane Pham , 12/22/12

filed under: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, Features, Green Products

This holiday season, double up on your do-gooding by gifting your loved ones items that that not only do well by the environment, but also give back to the community. There are tons of great organizations and companies out there working hard to bring us products that are not only gentle on the earth, but support important causes and initiatives around the globe. From delicious wines to stylish sunglasses to cute teddy bears, check out these 15 fantastic gift ideas that also give back!

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK >

Make Your Own DIY Green Gifts This Holiday Season!

by Yuka Yoneda , 12/22/12

filed under: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, carousel showcase, Features, Green Holidays

This holiday season, skip the consumer madness and get crafty! Why not give your friends and family hand-made one-of-a-kind gifts that you made with a little of your own elbow grease (and we don’t mean the kind you use to knock people out of the way on Black Friday). With so many easy online tutorials available these days, there are many wonderful DIY gifts you can whip up in a jiffy for little to no money, and your gift recipients will be touched that you went out of your way to make something especially for them. From homemade lip balms to home-made DIY texting gloves to terrarium necklaces and ornaments, we’ve got some great make-it-yourself gift ideas in our guide for everyone.

MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE DIY GIFTS >

CONTESTS

LAST CHANCE: Win an Eco-Friendly Sprout Watch (Worth Up To $80!)

by Diane Pham , 12/22/12

filed under: Accessories and Fashion, carousel showcase, Contests, Features, Giveaway, Green Design Competitions, Green Products

A well-designed watch is a great way to add a little something extra to an outfit. From colorful faces with unique illustrations to more classic styles fashioned with sustainable cork, timepiece maker Sprout boasts and enviable collection that will appease every fashion type. Just in time for the holidays we’ve teamed up with the eco-conscious watchmaker to give not one, but three watches away to a few of you lucky readers! Whether you’ll choose to keep the watch for yourself or give it to someone special for the holidays, enter by tomorrow, December 23rd for three chances to win!

ENTER TO WIN HERE >

LAST CHANCE: Win $200 Worth of Organic and Fair Trade Knitwear from Indigenous!

by Alyssa Alimurung , 12/21/12

filed under: carousel showcase, Contests, Ecouterre, Features

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!

If you missed out on the opportunity to win a $200 eco-shopping spree to Indigenous in our last giveaway, don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Back by popular demand, Indigenous is giving away another $200 gift certificate to one lucky reader! The giveaway’s deadline is TONIGHT at midnight EST, so don’t miss out on a chance to win some beautiful fair trade and organic clothing for the new year — hit the jump to find out how you can win!