Eco-Friendly Community Projects

In the Philippines, an innovative project is turning everyday waste into something surprisingly useful — pencils made from old newspapers that can sprout basil once discarded. Instead of being crafted from wood, these eco-friendly pencils are tightly rolled sheets of recycled newsprint wrapped around a graphite core. At the end where an eraser would normally sit, a tiny biodegradable capsule holds basil seeds. As the pencil gets shorter with use, it can be planted instead of thrown away. Users simply insert the stub into soil, water it regularly, and wait for the seeds to germinate. Within a few weeks, fresh basil begins to grow, giving new life to something that would have otherwise ended up as trash. This clever idea encourages recycling, reduces demand for timber, and promotes urban gardening — all while educating people on sustainability. The project has become popular in classrooms and offices, turning writing tools into small lessons about environmental responsibility. It’s a simple but powerful example of circular design, where waste materials are reused and transformed rather than discarded. By combining creativity with ecological awareness, these newspaper pencils are helping to cultivate a greener mindset from the ground up.

In Kenya, an innovative company is transforming the housing sector by building eco-friendly homes from recycled shipping containers. These structures, once used for cargo transport, are repurposed into fully functional, modern houses that are both affordable and sustainable. Designed for quick assembly, these homes can be ready in just a few days — a fraction of the time required for traditional construction. Each container home is equipped with solar panels, ensuring a renewable power supply even in remote areas. Rainwater harvesting systems and natural ventilation designs further reduce environmental impact while lowering utility costs. The interiors are customized with insulation, stylish finishes, kitchens, and bathrooms, making them comfortable and durable living spaces. Using shipping containers not only cuts construction costs but also helps reduce waste by giving discarded containers a second life. These homes are resistant to termites, fire, and harsh weather, making them ideal for diverse climates in Kenya. The project addresses two pressing issues — the shortage of affordable housing and the need for greener building practices. By merging speed, sustainability, and style, Kenya’s container homes are setting an example for eco-conscious urban development in Africa and beyond. #EcoHousing #SustainableLiving #GreenInnovation Thoughts? 💭

In the heart of Assam, two visionary entrepreneurs — Rupankar Bhattacharjee and Aniket Dhar — are rewriting the rules of sustainability with their startup, Kumbhi Kagaz Pvt. Ltd (KKPL). What most people saw as a nuisance, they saw as an opportunity. The invasive water hyacinth (locally known as pani meteka), notorious for choking wetlands like Deepor Beel, has now become the raw material for a green revolution. From Weed to Wonder: With remarkable innovation, they discovered that water hyacinth’s high cellulose and low lignin levels make it perfect for papermaking. Unlike conventional methods that guzzle 15–20 liters of water per A4 sheet, their process uses just 2 liters — producing 100% chemical-free, biodegradable, and blot-free handmade paper. Each sheet tells a story of sustainability, resilience, and responsibility. Community Impact: But KKPL’s success isn’t just in products — it’s in people. By engaging local communities to harvest and process the weed, they’ve turned a problem into prosperity. Over 92 tonnes of water hyacinth have been processed, creating jobs, spreading awareness, and generating sales of more than ₹20 lakh. For the villages around Assam’s wetlands, this project is more than business — it’s a lifeline. Recognition & The Road Ahead: Their innovation has already drawn global attention. From winning the UK-based WasteAid’s Zero Waste Cities Challenge to receiving grants worth ₹35 lakh, KKPL is quickly becoming a model of eco-entrepreneurship. And this is just the beginning — with plans to expand production capacity and bring down costs, they dream of taking their eco-paper beyond borders. The Bigger Picture: What Rupankar and Aniket have built is not just paper — it’s proof that innovation rooted in nature can solve ecological crises while empowering communities. Their journey shows us that sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s the future. A huge salute to these green warriors of Assam — proving that even the most invasive weed can bloom into an idea that changes lives. #EcoInnovation #KumbhiKagaz #GreenEntrepreneurs #Assam #Sustainability #WasteToWealth #Inspiration #fblifestyle

Galena, a remote village in Alaska just cut 200,000 gallons of Diesel a year. Great example of 'Community First' energy: ✅ Biomass heating + 1.5 MW solar + battery ✅ $1.8M/year in diesel savings ✅ New local jobs, youth training, & skill-building ✅ Reliable power in harsh winters ✅ Efficient homes cutting fuel bills by 60%+ It’s a locally run, locally built project that turns energy from a cost into a catalyst. They’re creating value where there was none before. Diesel was flown in at great cost, with almost no local employment. Now, Galena controls its energy. Shoutout to the people who made it happen Tanana Chiefs Conference, CITY OF GALENA, Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP), Denali Commission, Renewable Energy Alaska Project and Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA).

🏗️ What if development worked with nature instead of against it? Traditional site design often prioritizes maximizing buildable area—but at what cost? Increased runoff, flooding risks, and higher maintenance expenses are just a few of the challenges that arise. Low-Impact Development (LID) flips the script. By using nature-based solutions, LID: 🌿 Reduces runoff with permeable surfaces and green infrastructure 💧 Improves water quality by filtering pollutants before they enter waterways 🏘️ Enhances community spaces with green buffers, rain gardens, and natural drainage At Olsson, we’ve seen firsthand how LID strategies can create more resilient, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing developments. Instead of treating stormwater as a problem, we turn it into an asset that enhances the site. Some of our favorite LID techniques include: ✔️ Bioswales that slow, filter, and direct stormwater naturally ✔️ Permeable pavers that allow rain to seep into the ground instead of overwhelming storm drains ✔️ Rain gardens that provide both function and beauty, reducing runoff while adding greenery The result? Smarter, more sustainable development that benefits both people and the environment. 💡 What LID strategies have you seen successfully implemented in your projects? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #SustainableDevelopment #GreenInfrastructure #SmartGrowth #CivilEngineering #WeAreOlsson

Waste cleanups are not the solution, but they can be a gateway into more meaningful action on waste and pollution. Learn about this process in “From Audit to Action.” Plastic Free Senchal (est. 2019) in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India, is a community led project that started with the Himalayan Cleanup and waste audit in 2018. Realizing the impacts of plastic waste, a community of concerned youth evolved into a project for a plastic-free Senchal Temple, and plastic-free surrounding Tiger Hill nature area. The group collaboratively developed a biodegradable temple offering made from bamboo by local women’s groups (as a sustainable alternative to the watershed and park polluting plastic offerings); and declared Tiger Hill as a Plastic-Free Zone with the help of different government and non-government stakeholders. This video is part of the series “Voices from the Himalayas on Reducing Plastic Pollution” of 18 community-narrated stories, case studies, videos and plastic pollution research supported by National Geographic Society Preeti Chauhan Ecoseva Institute Break Free From Plastic Video: https://lnkd.in/gZV8PtV8 Full project page can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ga3kBFc4 #zerowaste #plasticfree #wasteeducation #brandaudit #wasteaudit #cleanup #youthempowerment #hinduism #culturalsustainability #environmentaleducation #alternativelivelihoods #rurallivelihoods #bamboo #traditionalhandcrafts #entrepreneurship #environmentalprotection #environmentaljustice #pollution #socialentrepreneurship #sustainablelivelihoods #sustainability #plasticalternatives #India #youthengagement #ecoliteracy #environmentalprotection #cleanwater #watershed

Imagine this… A future where neighbourhoods aren't just places to live. A future where neighbourhoods are vibrant ecosystems that connect residents with fresh food, reduce waste, and foster a stronger sense of community. This is the promise of agrihoods, a trend taking off in the US and now making its way to Australia. The traditional siloed approach to industries like housing and agriculture is being challenged by systems thinking. This framework encourages us to rethink how resources flow through our systems, maximising reuse and minimising waste. Agrihoods are a perfect example: 🍴 Fresh on your Fork, Light on the Planet: Local produce reduces food miles and spoilage. 🥦 Closing the loop: Compost home scraps to feed the farms 🤲 Grow Food, Grow Community: Shared gardens and farm-to-table initiatives connect residents and foster a sense of shared responsibility. The agrihood movement highlights the power of the circular economy to break down barriers and create win-win situations. It's not just about housing or agriculture, it's about creating a regenerative and resilient future for all. Could the circular economy help other seemingly disparate industries find common ground? Post your thoughts in the comments below! https://lnkd.in/gTzfvzZk