Eco-Friendly Materials for Urban Landscaping

Urban landscapes demand thoughtful planning. Spaces should balance environmental responsibility with a design that works in its favor. Choosing eco-friendly materials for urban landscaping helps achieve that balance.

From reducing heat islands to managing stormwater, sustainable materials create greener cities. Here’s a closer look at some effective options and how they work.

Recycled Planting Containers

Recycled materials such as old plastics and metals are being repurposed into durable planting containers. These containers are ideal for small urban gardens and large landscaping projects.

They reduce waste and offer weatherproof solutions for city environments. Recycled containers come in different sizes and designs to suit different gardening needs. Many are lightweight yet sturdy, making them easy to move. Choosing these options supports sustainability while creating an attractive, eco-friendly garden space.

Permeable Paving Solutions

Impermeable surfaces such as asphalt and concrete make efficient drainage in urban areas a challenge. Permeable paving in sustainable drainage systems offers a practical solution.

These materials, including permeable concrete and porous bricks, allow water to seep into the ground, reducing flood risks and recharging groundwater supplies.

Poor drainage management harms the environment by increasing water pollution and soil erosion. Adding permeable pathways and parking spaces can help mitigate these problems without negatively affecting urban needs.

Sustainable Wood Alternatives

Conventional wood materials, though natural, often come from unsustainable forestry practices. Bamboo, reclaimed wood, or alternatives made from plant fibers are durable and far more sustainable for urban landscaping use.

These materials are perfect for features like benches, fencing, and decking. Bamboo grows rapidly and requires minimal resources, making it a smart replacement for traditional hardwood.

Recycled Aggregates

Crushed concrete and reclaimed asphalt are examples of recycled aggregates often used in creating pathways, curbs, and retaining walls. These materials repurpose construction waste, lowering the demand for new raw materials.

They also reduce the carbon footprint associated with extracting and producing virgin aggregates. Incorporating recycled aggregates into designs can enhance the sustainability of urban spaces while giving leftover materials a new purpose.

Bringing Sustainability to Modern Cities

By choosing eco-friendly materials for urban landscaping, city developers can reduce environmental harm while crafting efficient, sustainable spaces. Integrating recycled materials and permeable paving improves the usability and health of urban environments. Small changes in material selection create landscapes that work with nature, not against it.

5 Ways Sustainable Packaging Machines Reduce Waste

Sustainability in packaging has become an important goal for businesses aiming to minimize their environmental impact. Reducing waste in the packaging process is one step toward that goal, and packaging equipment can make it possible.

Below, we’ll explore five ways sustainable packaging machines reduce waste and help businesses transition to eco-friendly practices.

1. Minimized Material Usage

Sustainable packaging machines are designed to avoid using excess material. These machines optimize every inch of packaging by choosing the right box sizes and accurately dispensing protective fillers. 

This minimizes leftovers and reduces the quantity of discarded materials after shipping. Over time, businesses see less waste and lower material costs.

2. Less Defective Packaging

Errors during packaging, such as improperly sealed boxes or damaged wrapping, lead to rework and excess material usage. Sustainable packaging equipment often comes with advanced technology such as sensors and automated adjustments to prevent such errors. This makes deliveries efficient and waste-free, as fewer defective packages need to be fixed or redone.

3. Increased Efficiency 

Another way sustainable packaging machines reduce waste lies in the materials they use. Using recycled resources is a sustainable practice that reduces demand for virgin resources. Many modern machines are calibrated to work seamlessly with thinner recycled films and corrugated materials.

By making the most out of reusable options, these machines directly contribute to cutting overall waste.

4. Optimized for Seasonal Demand

Preparing for peak seasons with the right packaging machine can also minimize waste. During high-demand periods, inefficient systems can lead to rushed, careless packaging or overusing materials. Sustainable machines streamline the process, even during busy times, helping businesses scale output without producing unnecessary waste.

5. Longer Equipment Lifespan

Investing in durable packaging machines reduces waste associated with replacing poorly made equipment. These machines are built to last, use energy efficiently, and require few spare parts. Their longer lifecycle means less waste generated by old or broken equipment that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

Efficient technology and designs in sustainable packaging machines are changing how businesses think about waste. Business owners that focus on sustainability in packaging foster greener habits throughout the supply chain. Choosing these systems not only reduces material consumption but also improves overall operations.

Most Prestigious Sustainability Awards for Companies in 2025

By Beth Rush

Sustainability has been a priority for many companies, with some going under the radar despite the growing calls to start operating more green. The top sustainability awards are a way to lift the businesses exerting efforts to help the environment, encourage others to do the same, and so much more.

What Having the Top Sustainability Awards Means

Having the top sustainability awards means you have contributed to minimizing your environmental impact or cleaning up the environment. Having an accolade can be an honor, as it verifies that you are eco-friendly and actionable. It sets you apart from others within your industry.

The top sustainability award is also an opportunity to attract more attention from the market. Forty percent of consumers examine sustainability practices regarding production methods and recycling, while 38% and 34% look at eco-friendly packaging and resource conservation, respectively.

9 Sustainability Awards to Aim For As a Business

Many well-known organizations are in charge of judging and handing out these prestigious titles. These are the top sustainability awards brands can aim for. 

1. ESG & Sustainability Awards

ESG & Sustainability Awards recognize enterprises prioritizing environmental, social and governance principles throughout their operations. It uses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a baseline for judging performance. 

To apply, businesses must write an award entry that highlights the eco-friendly campaigns they carried out. It’s important to be human and concise when communicating your impact. Different categories may have different criteria, so it’s best to check the guidelines before submission.

2. Champions of the Earth Award

The United Nations Environment Programme is responsible for handing out the Champions of the Earth Award. It has been honoring sustainability-driven individuals and organizations annually since 2005, as conversations about climate change increase.

Every year, there’s a certain theme for the entities nominated. For instance, the 2025 awards focus on climate action involving methane, buildings and construction solutions like sustainable cooling. They can be anywhere from energy-efficient innovations to air cleanups.

3. International Green Apple Environment Awards

The International Green Apple Environment Awards — especially the Green World Awards — enable brands to win environmental recognition for themselves and their countries. It first began in 1994 before becoming one of the most prestigious award campaigns.

This program is unique, as it considers each applicant’s circumstances and level of commitment to the cause. Rather than just awarding big corporations, it recognizes smaller or less fortunate areas that exert effort to help the environment.

4. DFA Design for Asia Awards Grand Award for Sustainability

The DFA Design for Asia Awards is an impactful campaign recognizing those who embody Asian aesthetics and culture. The Grand Award for Sustainability is one of 10 Grand Awards under the organization, highlighting the need for eco-friendliness within the design industry.

Design projects are nominated by international and regional experts ahead of the awards. The Grand Award for Sustainability focuses on environmental impact, but factors such as overall excellence, commercial success and more are also taken into account.

5. SEAL Business Sustainability Awards

The SEAL Business Sustainability Awards recognize companies that practice sustainability, environmental achievement and leadership within their practices. There are numerous categories, like the SEAL Sustainable Innovation Award, which recognizes game-changing ideas championing sustainability for the future.

There’s also the SEAL Environmental Initiative Award, which highlights specific sustainability initiatives. From new life cycle management processes to innovative solutions, these awards highlight company programs that build up the environment. 

6. Reuters Events: Global Sustainability Awards

The Reuters Events: Global Sustainability is one of the top sustainability awards to aim for. Twenty-five judges examine projects across 18 different categories to gauge their approach to a greener future.

There are four main pillars across the awards for sustainability excellence. Climate & Nature discusses efforts to reach net-zero emissions, while Strategy & Leadership focuses on leaders who prepare their businesses ahead of the climate crisis. Driving Social Change addresses social inequalities, while Reporting and Investment examines sustainability reporting.

7. Energy Globe Awards

The Energy Globe Award is for innovative projects and technological advancements that bring sustainability forward. Projects come from more than 180 countries, anticipating both media exposure and conversion to prominent environmental activists.

Enterprises can apply for categories like Earth if they have conservational activities or sustainable agriculture, or highlight their clean energy production and distribution under Fire. Water is ideal if you’re focusing on waterway protection and wastewater treatment. For initiatives avoiding CO2 emissions, apply for the Air category.

8. Business Intelligence Group Sustainability Awards

The Business Intelligence Group hands out Sustainability Awards to brands focusing on preserving the planet. It reviews them regardless of industry, location and size to get a full view of who’s minimizing their environmental impact.

The performances nominated must have a clear impact, which can be done through concrete measurements or analysis. It should also have occurred during the last 12 months and not duplicate other people’s work.

9. Global Good Awards

The Global Good Awards is accredited as an outstanding program by the Awards Trust Mark. It was founded in 2015 to recognize sustainable and ethical leadership. It also hopes to build a platform to learn and share ethical practices and ideas.

The UK-based program is all-inclusive, taking in submissions from entities of all shapes and sizes from different countries. It works with individuals experienced in pursuing sustainability to keep the judging process fair.

Champion Companies Who Prioritize Sustainability

Green companies deserve recognition for changing their operations and starting initiatives that help the environment due to their large-scale impact. Keep an eye out for those with the top sustainability awards and support them!

About the author: Beth Rush is the green wellness editor at Body+Mind, where she covers topics like the power of climate consciousness at all stages of education. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag. Subscribe to Body+Mind for more posts by Beth!

The Security Risks of Using Outdated Drone Firmware

Farmers are revolutionizing their approach to crop management with the growing adoption of drones in agriculture. From monitoring fields to optimizing irrigation and even applying fertilizers, drones bring efficiency to farming tasks like never before.

However, neglecting to update their firmware can leave farmers vulnerable to various security and operational risks. These are the security risks of using outdated drone firmware.  

Vulnerability to Malware  

Outdated drone firmware provides an open door for malware. Hackers often target older systems because they are vulnerable. A compromised drone can lead to unauthorized access, allowing bad actors to disrupt operations or steal valuable information. 

Hackers could even alter the drone’s functionality, rendering it ineffective at crucial moments. Protecting against malware is essential for uninterrupted, secure farming practices.  

Data Breaches  

If your drone’s firmware is outdated, you expose sensitive farm data to significant risks. Drones gather a wealth of information, from soil health data to crop conditions and planting patterns. Weak security measures in older firmware can make the systems storing this data susceptible to breaches. 

Stolen data could end up in the wrong hands, jeopardizing competitive advantages or business partnerships. Updated firmware is vital for strengthening the security of your drones.  

Operational Glitches  

Outdated firmware can also lead to operational glitches that might disrupt your workflow. Critical actions like crop spraying or surveying fields often require precise drone performance. Old firmware might struggle to communicate properly with the device or execute commands efficiently, leading to errors or downtime during high-stakes tasks. 

Reliable drones are one piece of equipment driving sustainable agriculture, but you can’t realize the full benefits if systems fail due to outdated software.  

Compliance Issues  

Regulations around drone use in agriculture are becoming stricter. Many countries require drones to have the latest firmware to meet legal standards for security and performance. Operating drones without current updates risk fines and might invalidate insurance claims. 

Compliance matters are about more than following rules. Farmers need to stay up-to-date to signify professionalism and a dedication to responsible operations.  

Firmware updates are essential for securing your farm’s data, ensuring smooth drone performance, and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. You should update your drone’s firmware regularly to avoid these potential challenges.

Protecting your investment in agricultural technology is as simple as making firmware updates a routine part of your farm’s operations. Stay ahead, stay secure, and keep your drones ready to perform when you need them most.

How Wildland Firefighters Protect Natural Resources

Wildland firefighters are more than first responders to raging infernos; they are stewards of the environment, tasked with safeguarding ecosystems, wildlife, and precious natural resources. Their work prevents the loss of human life and property and ensures the delicate ecological balance remains intact. 

How wildland firefighters protect natural resources is an intricate process involving prevention, strategic responses, and ecological restoration, all of which contribute to preserving the natural world for future generations. 

Preventing Catastrophic Wildfires 

Wildland firefighters dedicate significant effort to reducing the risk of large-scale, high-intensity fires, which can devastate ecosystems. Prescribed burns, thinning vegetation, and creating firebreaks are essential in reducing hazardous fuels.

These actions control the size and spread of fires before they escalate, protecting vital natural habitats and minimizing destruction. Firefighters help ecosystems remain resilient and functional by maintaining controlled fire activity, preventing permanent damage to biodiversity. 

Tactical and Strategic Responses 

Firefighters rely on strategic knowledge of fire behavior and apply methods, such as direct and indirect attacks, when faced with an active wildfire. Direct attacks involve extinguishing flames at their source, while indirect methods allow the controlled burning of vegetation to slow fire progression. 

How wildland firefighters protect the land during these crises is a delicate balance. They weigh suppression tactics against the long-term needs of ecosystems, ensuring minimal disruption while controlling the fire’s impact. Wildland crews strive to suppress fires strategically, respecting the intricate relationship between nature and fire. 

Protecting Wildlife and Habitats 

Wildfires can drastically alter landscapes, often displacing wildlife and destroying the ecosystems they depend on.

Wildland firefighters understand these risks and work with the intention of limiting environmental disruption during suppression. Avoiding sensitive nesting areas or adjusting line placement preserves vital wildlife corridors even in high-pressure scenarios. 

Understanding how wildfires impact wildlife and their habitats underscores why these calculated decisions matter, especially when every acre counts toward ecological recovery.

Rehabilitation After the Fire 

Long after the flames are extinguished, firefighters’ commitment to the environment continues. They play a crucial role in post-fire recovery efforts, including erosion control to stabilize soil, reseeding native plants to kickstart regeneration, and protecting water resources from contamination.

This rehabilitation work helps ecosystems bounce back while preventing invasive species from overtaking fragile areas. 

Supporting a Healthier Planet 

Wildland firefighters do more than battle flames—they actively contribute to long-term environmental health. Through fuel management, habitat preservation, and post-fire restoration, they reinforce natural resilience and support ecosystems under pressure.

These actions reflect a deeper commitment to sustainability, and one of the ways wildland firefighters can help the environment is by leading efforts that align with broader climate and conservation goals. 

Their work echoes many principles found in everyday environmental practices, creating a shared responsibility between those on the fireline and the communities they protect.

Firefighters as Stewards of the Land 

How wildland firefighters protect natural resources embody a profound sense of duty, protecting not just people but the landscapes and wildlife that define our planet. Through prevention, strategic action, and ecological restoration, they champion the preservation of ecosystems for future generations.

Their work is a testament to the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world, making their role as stewards of the wild indispensable.

Circular Innovation: Why Products Designed for Disassembly Are Leading the Green Revolution

Sustainability is a common practice across industries, with many prioritizing it within every inch of their operations. One concept gaining traction across sectors is the design for disassembly (DfD) in product development.

This forward-thinking approach influences manufacturers and engineers to create products companies can easily break down at the end of their life cycle and reuse or repurpose them to minimize environmental impact. 

Design for disassembly is a sustainable solution and paves the way for products and places made to last.

What Is Design for Disassembly?

Designing for disassembly is a strategy rooted in circular design principles. It promotes creating products, systems and buildings people can easily take apart to reuse, recycle or repurpose instead of sending them to a landfill. 

By considering disassembly from the earliest stages of design, manufacturers and architects can greatly reduce waste, conserve resources and lower embodied carbon.

In traditional design methods, manufacturers often prioritize durability over considering end-of-life outcomes. Meanwhile, DfD focuses on planned reversibility, making teardown and sorting straightforward. 

Why Designing for Disassembly Matters for Sustainability

In today’s linear economy, what happens after a product is no longer useful often becomes an afterthought. As a result, many industries contribute massively to waste, placing a heavy burden on landfills.

The construction sector is one of the biggest contributors. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the industry generated more than 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris in 2018 alone. 

Designing for disassembly offers a practical solution to this growing issue. Instead of discarding materials, industries can reconfigure or reintegrate components into new products or projects, reducing the need for new materials.

This strategy also supports lower carbon emissions by minimizing the energy-intensive processes involved in the following:

> Manufacturing

> Extraction

> Disposal

Whether designing for electric vehicles, buildings or consumer electronics, designing for disassembly aligns closely with global goals for circularity, zero waste and sustainable development.

Examples of Components Used in DfD

Designing for disassembly starts at the component level. The way a product or structure goes together determines how easily a person can take it apart, and it begins with choosing the right connections and fasteners:

> Fasteners: Mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, clips and snap-fit connections, make it possible to separate parts without damaging them. Commonly used materials include stainless steel, nickel alloys or aluminum due to their corrosion resistance and recyclability.

> Joints and connections: Components rely on standardized, removable joints and allow for reassembly with minimal effort — making repair or reuse more viable. This is especially important in complex structures, where walls, flooring panels and mechanical systems can separate without generating unnecessary waste.

> Modular components: These parts are easily swappable without disturbing the entire system. In architecture, this could mean demountable wall panels or raised access flooring. In electronics, modularity allows for easy replacement or reuse of battery packs or screens in different models, extending product lifespans.

In architecture, design for disassembly is already proving its value. During a typical renovation, more than 75% of building materials are still reusable, but much of them are discarded because their design prevents them from being removed cleanly. When constructing buildings with mechanical joinery and modular elements, those components enable reintegration into future projects, reducing the demand for virgin resources.

Examples and Case Studies of Design for Disassembly

Across industries, many companies and institutions are putting DfD into practice. Explore design for disassembly examples below.

Aluminaire House in Palm Springs, California

A landmark in modular architecture is the Aluminaire House, which was built in 1931 from prefabricated aluminum and steel and has been disassembled and reassembled at least four times over the decades. Its recent relocation to Palm Springs shows how thoughtful design can make buildings more mobile, reusable and enduring.

Framework Laptop

Framework Computer has developed modular, longer-lasting laptops. Users can easily replace or upgrade key components, such as the motherboard, battery and ports.

In addition to hardware design, Framework incorporates a more sustainable material, such as Makrolon RE, a polycarbonate with up to 89% bio-circular content, requiring up to 50% fewer fossil fuels. This approach shows how much design and material choices can work together to support a circular economy.

Use Sustainable Building Products

Designing for disassembly forces companies to rethink how they build, manufacture and consume with the end in mind. With this part of the design process making sustainable innovation possible, industries and cities can push further toward a circular economy. As such, they can lead the way to a brighter, greener future.

How Farms Are Optimizing Water Usage in 2025

Water usage has become one of the biggest sustainability challenges in global agriculture. Shifts in weather patterns, growing populations, and shrinking groundwater reserves have raised the stakes.

Farms now face increasing pressure to manage resources without compromising output or ecological responsibility. As 2025 unfolds, farms everywhere have adopted smarter, more resilient ways to conserve and control water use.

Adopting Precision Irrigation Technologies

One way farms are optimizing water usage in 2025 involves using precision tools that reduce runoff and eliminate overwatering. Precision irrigation systems now deliver water with timing and accuracy once impossible in traditional farming.

Tools like drip lines, soil moisture sensors, and automated valves allow targeted applications that limit waste and support healthier plant growth. Farms no longer rely on guesswork or outdated schedules when deciding when and how much to irrigate.

Data-driven irrigation systems adjust in real-time based on zone needs and crop demands. Meanwhile, technology allows operators to adapt on a per-acre basis rather than watering entire fields uniformly.

Installing Water-Resilient Infrastructure

Infrastructure upgrades help farms manage water more effectively during both drought and flooding conditions. Durable piping systems, backup pumps, and on-site storage tanks provide greater reliability in areas where rainfall and supply fluctuate. Better system design also minimizes loss through leaks and uneven distribution.

One way farms are optimizing water usage is by making water systems more resilient, especially where resources remain unpredictable. Farms now approach water delivery like a utility network, planning for disruptions and installing components that perform under stress. Redundancy and control now define the new standard.

Adding Retention Ponds and Water Features

Another way farms are optimizing water usage in 2025 includes building natural buffers that store and reuse water while restoring environmental balance. Retention ponds are important parts of green infrastructure for farms because they reduce runoff by capturing excess rainfall and surface water.

Farms use them to store water during wet periods and redistribute it during dry spells without taxing natural waterways. These ponds also promote groundwater recharge and prevent downstream flooding.

Water features contribute to biodiversity, cooling, and ecosystem restoration on agricultural land. Farms integrate ponds and channels into broader green infrastructure plans. 

Recycling and Reusing On-Site Water

Farms now repurpose water from cleaning, runoff, and roof collection for non-potable uses like field irrigation and dust control. Sediment basins and filtration systems remove solids before recycled water reenters circulation. By reducing the demand on freshwater sources, reuse strategies also cut utility costs.

Facilities that wash produce or livestock equipment now capture water for secondary use on property. Closed-loop systems keep more water in operation and reduce reliance on external supply.

Using Drought-Resistant Crops and Cover Strategies

Crop selection plays a major role in long-term water efficiency. Drought-tolerant species require less irrigation while maintaining strong yields, even in unpredictable seasons. Shorter growth cycles and deeper root structures also improve performance under pressure.

Cover crops keep soil moist and stable between harvests by limiting erosion, shading the ground, and improving retention of seasonal precipitation. Healthier soil structures retain more moisture and require less supplemental watering over time.

Smarter systems, stronger materials, and better choices all contribute to a future of agricultural sustainability. Farms that focus on water conservation support more than their own land—they help protect shared global resources. Every gallon saved moves us one step closer to a resilient, balanced food system.