Le Botaniste is the only carbon-neutral restaurant in NYC

Le Botaniste, an organic, plant-based restaurant is now the only carbon-neutral restaurant in New York City. This is the result of a partnership since 2016 with environmental consulting agency CO2logic. They helped Le Botaniste reduce energy use to a minimum and offset greenhouse gas emissions, as well as friendly to the planet in the foods they serve.

To become certified carbon neutral requires a lot of research. CO2logic first calculated the greenhouse gas emissions generated not just by the restaurant but by each recipe. The organization used data from a French environmental organization to determine the carbon footprint of each of Le Botaniste’s organic vegetables, grains and other ingredients they use in their dishes.

Related: Ovolo is the world’s first hotel group to go vegetarian

Then, they calculated electricity consumption and the carbon footprint of paper goods and other supplies used in the restaurants to give an overall look at the environmental impact of the entire supply chain. This means local and global impact, from sustainable farming for sourcing their foods to the compostable containers they use for takeout.

You can even see the carbon calculations on display online. They are updated every year. They also offset by financing a climate project in Ghana for distributing efficient cookstoves that is Gold Standard Certified.

This is a very detailed take on the idea of becoming a carbon-neutral business. Other businesses who don’t want to go through the process of certification could still take some ideas from this process and apply them more generally. For example, any business can try to source as much of its electricity from clean energy sources through the utility company as possible, install solar panels or rent from a building that is as environmentally efficient as possible. In addition, choosing suppliers that help them use recycled paper products, reduce waste or finance environmental programs to offset carbon used like tree planting programs.

Le Botaniste took eco-friendly to the next level. It’ll be interesting to see how this level of detail raises new questions about a business’ ability to reduce its carbon footprint.

Soon, every business from restaurants to tech companies will have the resources for making a positive one overall. One that is greener and healthier for all.

+ Le Botaniste

Images via Le Botaniste

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14 e-bikes you've heard of, and some you likely haven't

There are hundreds of e-bike manufacturers, and copious options in models to choose from. With National Bike Month coming to a close, you may be contemplating an upgrade to boost your peddle power. If so, here are some options to consider. 

Urwahn

Everyone knows biking offers a cleaner alternative to vehicles on the road. E-bikes increase accessibility to biking as an option. Urwahn is out to prove every way e-bikes can be a friend to the environment with a 3D-printed frame for the Platzhirsch model, which was awarded the German Sustainability Award 2022. All models from Urwahn are made from steel, a material that is more durable and more easily recycled than carbon or aluminum frames. 

Related: Urwahn Platzhirsch e-bike wins major sustainability award

Rad Power Bikes

Based out of Seattle, Washington, Rad Power Bikes are perhaps the most notable name in the U.S. They sell directly to consumers, so you won’t see them at the bike shops. They offer a range of styles from off-road to foldable to city commuter bikes and more. Rad Power Bikes offers a 14-day trial and one year warranty on every model. 

Ride1Up

With an emphasis on cruisers and road bikes, Ride1Up offers seven models to choose from. Their mission is to encourage people to give up the polluting emissions of cars in favor of an electric bike, at least occasionally. In fact, if you pledge to replace a car trip with a bike trip at least 2 times month, Ride1Up will give you a one-time $40 discount on your purchase. It offers a 30-day money back guarantee and one-year warranty.

Eunorau

If you’re looking for a fat tire e-bike, Eunorau’s got you covered. It also offers high-performance bikes with ramped up suspensions, power and bigger batteries. The company’s vision is to break the glass ceiling on the idea that e-bikes limit adventure.  

Bunch

Bunch e-bikes offer a range of cargo bikes with families in mind. Think you can’t take the bike to the store because you have young children and no way to get the groceries home? Bunch has you covered. These Dutch-inspired designs resemble those from a region where, notably, biking is a way of life. They’ve been featured on Shark Tank. Bunch cargo bikes are more costly than many other types of e-bikes, but fits the need as a car replacement. 

Biktrix

Another direct-to-consumer brand is Biktrix, a Canadian company with an emphasis on customization. Build the bike you want as if it was a strictly custom job. Start by choosing a multi-purpose, commuter, cruiser or specialty e-bike. Then build it up with your preferred color, frame, fork, brakes, wheels, batteries and more. 

Aventon

Aventon models can be found at dealers across the nation so you can try before you buy. It’s a brand focused on providing a range of styles coupled with affordable pricing. Choose the right bike for commuting, off-road, folding, road riding and more. 

CAKE

Swedish bike maker CAKE has placed the focus on the needs of commuters who use their bikes for more than getting from here to there. Its work series of e-bikes and mopeds cater to professional delivery persons, with accessories ranging from a cargo rack to built-in electrical outlets. The goal is to give the on-the-road professional the features they need without the air pollution. 

Arquimaña OpenBike

If you’re a DIY type, the OpenBike is for you. Its open-source printing instructions are ready to guide you. The bike is half wood and half standardized parts, which allows you to customize it to fit your needs. 

Ariel Rider

Long before the e-bike was the moped, a motorized yet small means of travel. Ariel Rider capitalizes on the familiarity and stability of moped riding with an e-bike design that’s got that moped vibe. It also has fat bikes and city commuters as well as storage racks for hauling supplies. 

Juiced

Juiced has something for everyone. It offers a moped design, a “fun-sized fat tire bike,” a regular-sized fat tire, a commuter and more. Their claim to fame is a 52-volt battery, which was an industry leader at release. They offer a lengthy ranges from 45 to 80 miles to ease range anxiety. 

Serial 1

Harley Davidson isn’t a name notably associated with e-bikes, but now it can be. They’re also working on an electric motorcycle. This bike benefits from that bike-building experience with a sleek, minimalist design that reflects the premium brand. 

Lectric

With a range of up to 100 miles, you’ll be covering some ground on a Lectric bike. But you can even step up from there in the Xpremium series that boasts over 100 miles of range. There’s also a lite series and step through models. No list of e-bikes would be complete without noting the affordability, foldability and comfort of the widely acknowledged Lectric XP series. 

QuietKat

If you’re looking to enhance the offroad experience, the QuietKat Jeep tackles the world of e-bike offroad in the same way the namesake vehicle has for decades. There are two motor sizes to choose from and a powerful braking system to counterbalance the power and weight of the 70-pound bike. 

Lead image via Pexels

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Unique pergola located in Japan merges with its environment

Located in a mountainous and nature-rich region of Shizuoka, Japan, the Pergola House was designed by Takayuki Kuzushima and Associates with the simple goal of merging into the environment. 

The client’s building site consisted of a main house that underwent minor improvements. There were also a series of ill-placed shacks that needed to be replaced. The shacks sat along the edge of the cliff, so the client and the architects removed them in favor of a redesigned functional and eye-catching pergola, work and storage area. 

Related: Old fisherman’s shack is reimagined as a dreamy eco retreat

Additionally, existing trees on the property heavily guided the shape and design of the project. With an emphasis on keeping the assortment of plum, sarsaparilla and maples in place, the roofline contoured around branches. The height was also adjusted to accommodate the trees. The architects paid special attention to the location of cross beams so they would not restrict the natural movement. In addition, the team protected the roots of the surrounding trees by relying on columns with independent foundation legs. The pergola-inspired louvered pattern of the rafters curves in response to the shape of the mountains, blending into nearby shrubs and other plants.

The owner uses the home as a weekend getaway, but hopes to eventually live there full time and run a farm on the land. In planning for this future, the new design leaves a maximum flat field space for growing food and housing livestock. The usable space is sectioned into five divided areas to accommodate farm equipment, a shaded seating area and a workspace. 

Moreover, the composition of the roof was influenced by these intended uses of the spaces. For example, the workshop features an elevated ceiling and the entrance is contoured as an invitation into the structure. 

The project incorporated many recycled materials from the existing shacks. Flooring materials were upcycled into walls that divide the spaces. Meanwhile, beams from columns and joists were dismantled and reused as benches. Even the roof tiles were repurposed as flooring at the entrance. 

Furthermore, to keep costs and waste at a minimum, this approach allowed the new structure to seamlessly blend into the landscape. 

+ Takayuki Kuzushima and Associates 

Photography by Shingo Kanagawa 

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The alcohol company that is committed to good on Earth

JuneShine is an alcohol brand with a serious commitment to sustainability. For starters, they source 100% clean energy, combining carbon-free solar and wind energy through SDGE’s Power100 program. They use 100% organic ingredients and upcycled an old brewery for their operations. Furthermore, they use glassware instead of plastic in the breweries, treat wastewater to reuse it, use recycled products and source local organic food for the JuneShine restaurant Enclave. JuneShine makes tequila, rum, vodka and hard kombucha. It’s a unique brewery, and an even more unique company that is committed to sustainable operations on all fronts.

Believe it or not, that’s just the beginning of how JuneShine continues to work toward fully sustainable operations. Right now, it’s a complicated thing to turn a brewery green, because everything from energy to packaging and shipping carbon footprint needs to be addressed. JuneShine donates one percent of sales to 1% For The Planet. They request their suppliers to get USDA Organic certified where possible and uses a display menu to avoid paper menu waste.

Related: Sip on these clean, vegan botanicals from Optimist Drinks

Furthermore, the company currently uses cardboard six-pack holders instead of plastic. However, they are still working to use printed cans instead of plastic wrapped cans. JuneShine is also working to turn green spaces into community gardens, working toward using recycled water for brewery lawns.

If you’re looking to green your own business or just your lifestyle, here are some tips we’re seeing coming out of the hospitality, restaurant and alcohol industries this year.

Green products: From ingredients to packaging, one of the most obvious ways to green your lifestyle or your business is to consider the sustainability of the products you’re using. This includes ingredients and packaging in the products you create or use daily.

Green energy: Many local energy companies now have clean energy programs that allow you to buy in to wind or solar energy as a percentage of your overall energy usage. It may cost a bit more, so it’s often optional, but this can save you having to install your own solar system.

Upcycling: JuneShine may be the first time we’ve heard of a brewery upcycling an entire facility for operations, but if you think about it, that’s not really so uncommon. Instead of building a business from the ground up, consider refurbishing an existing building that already comes close to your needs.

Community involvement: Many programs now make it easier for individuals and business owners to reduce their carbon footprint. Consider joining a program like 1% For The Planet that helps you find ways to give back to the community and the climate.

Shipping and carbon footprint: If you ship products to or from your location, you probably know that this has a climate impact. Reducing product size, greening packaging or creating closed loops of reusable packaging can all make a difference to reduce carbon footprint from shipping.

In the case of JuneShine, they’ve decided to partner with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to plant trees that were used to make their cartons. They source cardboard and paperboard that were made from sustainably managed forests and that plant only native trees to protect biodiversity and habitat.

JuneShine alcohol is “bubbly, fruity and boozy,” and, we should add, very sustainable.

+ JuneShine

Images via JuneShine

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Oui the People nickel-free razors are gentle on the planet

With all the options on the market for razors and bodycare product, what led to Oui the People gathering a waitlist of 10,000 customers? Oui the People is a Black and female-owned, award-winning bodycare brand that created a nickel-free safety razor and products that are gentler on the earth and the body.

“It’s estimated that over two billion disposable plastic razors end up in landfills every year,” said Founder Karen Young. As the personal care industry is one of the largest producers of waste in the world, Young prioritized not only customer experience and aesthetic, but also sustainability.

Related: This plastic-free, organic personal care kit is ‘All Good’

Oui the People (OTP) razor THE SINGLE Sensitive Skin Razor is $75, including 10 refill blades. It’s a rose gold razor that uses a single blade in a rust-proof casing, promising a close shave without hair pulling or irritation. This might be worth a try if you find yourself constantly irritated by razors or allergic to their moisture strip. OTP’s refill razor blades are 100% nickel-free stainless steel and packaged in a box that’s safe to dispose afterwards.

This may sound like a commitment to sustainability that’s easy to make up in product cost, but OTP works with just a few of the remaining manufacturers in the world that make safe stainless steel razors. In particular, they work with one specialized in this niche for over 100 years.

Additionally, blade packaging allows for safe storage of new and used blades until they’re disposed of. The OTP razor was originally designed from the ground up for women. Rather than packaging for female, the brand continues that tradition of bucking trends with their inclusive bodycare line.

“You’ve never fit into one box. Neither have we. We’re here to honor your complexities. We celebrate your softness and your strength, and champion your journey to doing whatever makes you feel good. The only labels we care about list our ingredients — everything else is just noise,” OTP said.

For instance, their FEATHERWEIGHT Body Gloss goes into a glass bottle. It is made from raw materials and is refillable. Meanwhile, the glass container is reusable and can be recycled and/or upcycled.

Another example, SUGARCOAT Shave Gel is the world’s first refillable shaving gel. SUGARCOAT is stored in an airless bottle with a removable cap. OTP’s goal is to provide a safe product in the shower environment with the use of refillable sustainable containers.

Lastly, AROUND THE BUSH Bikini Mask is a unique product for giving your skin around the bikini line some TLC. It’s made of cellulose material that biodegrades six weeks after being thrown out. Also, it hydrates and cools your skin with honey extract, niacinamide and skin-clearing witch hazel.

+ Oui the People

Images via Oui the People

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London office balances tech, nature and the future

The pandemic created a ripple effect through countless industries, architectural design notwithstanding. A new office in Central London created a post-pandemic atmosphere that balances technology, nature, and a vision of the future. 

Southworks is a smart office created in collaboration between Developer MiddleCap and Designer SPPARC. Equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) technology developed by Dutch company bGrid, Southworks features sensors that control HVAC and lighting systems. IoT also monitors air quality, occupancy and noise levels in order to provide optimum energy efficiency and healthy internal environment.

Related: London floods spark worry over climate change preparedness

Sustainability is prioritized throughout the complex, covering seven stories and 70,000 square feet. As a result, Southworks was named “The world’s smartest building” at the Futureproof Awards. Additionally, it earned recognition as the first U.K. building to achieve the Smart Building Certification Platinum Certificate. 

Furthermore, the complex architecture incorporates elements of the area’s industrial heritage combined with modern materials. A striking brick façade creates symmetry on the exterior. Meanwhile, an expansive, double-height lobby features handcrafted Italian crystalline-cast glass bricks. Recycled building materials were used where available and the main roof features solar panels as well as greenery. 

Internally, the space was designed to offer flexibility for the changing needs of current and future occupants with the ability to change arrangements in large, open spaces. The interior design integrates a clean palette with material selections of steel, glass, brick and concrete. Black, industrial features counterbalance the otherwise minimalist elements.

There is an emphasis on occupant well being and connection to nature. This is seen through copious windows that provide natural light and an assortment of roof terraces. 

Therefore, the building is equipped to support employees who bike to work, with 105 cycle spaces and a repair station. The location along the London cycle superhighway network means commuters have long bike lanes that are safely separated from car lanes. It is also on target to achieve a BREEAM Excellent Rating. 

+  SPPARC

Photography by Ed Reeve

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First carbon positive hotel in the US breaks ground

The first carbon positive hotel in the U.S. is currently under construction in Denver, Colorado. Designed by environmental steward Urban Villages, it is called Populus. It is expected to open in late 2023. 

The 265-room hotel will offer everything visitors to the mile high city expect, including a rooftop restaurant and bar with 360 degrees views. Additionally, the green roof features native plants to help with temperature control inside the building. It also helps to filter air in gathering spaces and is a visual representation of the building’s overall green design. 

Related: Miller Hull’s EMission Zero program offsets tons of carbon

“We’ve created Populus to be a catalyst for change and to meet the increasing preference by today’s consumers to travel responsibly, experience places in an authentic way and connect more deeply with nature and each other,” said Jon Buerge, chief development officer and partner at Urban Villages. “An earth emergency demands that we strengthen our influence, and Populus is just the beginning.”

Moreover, the carbon positive aspect of the venture comes through a collaborative effort between Urban Villages and Studio Gang, an architectural and urban design studio. Furthermore, a focus on low-impact material selections and system efficiency marks the sustainability groundwork within the aspen-tree inspired hotel. The overall plan focuses on reduction of embodied and operational carbon at every phase. 

Specifically, the goal is achieved through the use of low-carbon concrete and high-recycled content materials. Structural efficiency was maximized across the 13-story structure, which requires less materials and minimizes construction waste. Also, window overhangs offer shading and energy efficiency. Varying sizes of windows throughout the building offer copious natural light and views of the Colorado landscape. Offsite, the company made an initial commitment to plant over 5,000 acres worth of trees to offset remaining operational carbon. 

“To truly impact our earth, carbon neutral developments are no longer enough. Populus will be entirely carbon positive starting with its construction and continuing through to its ongoing operations while acting as a vibrant social center for locals and visitors,” said Grant McCargo, Urban Villages’ cofounder, chief executive officer, chief environmental officer and partner. Populus is targeting LEED Gold Certification. 

+ Urban Villages

Images via Studio Gang and Ryan Dearth

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