How 30 tons of plastic bags and bubble wrap were turned into building blocks

Presented by   Americans produce 42 million tons of single-use plastic every year, but only 9% gets recycled. L.A.-based startup ByFusion has found a way to take this plastic and turn it into standard building blocks that can be used in construction. The system works something like this: Mounds of plastic are fed through an industrial machine that uses a combination of steam and compression to squeeze it into lightweight, durable, multicolored bricks (no sorting or cleaning required). The best part? It works with any kind of plastic, including those that can’t be recycled in any other way.  ByFusion has already recycled 103 tons of plastic. Its goal? To reach 100 million tons by 2030. Find out more in my story here. — Elissaveta M. Brandon   This startup is turning nonrecyclable plastic into building blocks fit for construction After years of R&D, startup ByFusion is processing 450 tons of plastic a year—with the goal of reaching 100 million tons by 2030.   READ MORE   Enter the 2022 Innovation by Design Awards Applications are open until April 29. Apply today!   READ MORE   The secret to creating new public parks out of thin air? Foam Thanks to (much) lighter materials, designers are finding new ways to layer lush urban spaces on top of unsightly infrastructure.   READ MORE   Ralph Lauren’s Olympic jackets automatically adapt to athletes’ body temp The material in Ralph Lauren’s jackets reacts to athletes’ body temperatures, keeping them warm regardless of outdoor conditions.   READ MORE

a message from polestar How automakers can accelerate the shift to a sustainable future Electrification is just the first step automakers must take toward sustainable innovation. Read more here.

The case for never buying new clothes again Changing the way we think about clothes is a revolutionary act.   READ MORE

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