We love the innovative biogas pit latrines being pioneered by Soft Power Health and Education in Jinja, Uganda, and by other projects in sub-saharan Africa. This invention not only disposes of, but actually utilises human waste (yes – of the toilet variety) to benefit small communities.



How it works:

1. Waste from the toilet goes into the biogas digester.

2. Other organic waste – e.g. kitchen waste, dead plants, animal dung – can be mixed with water and put into the digester.

3. The contents of the digester are broken down in a process called anaerobic digestion, which kills the bacteria.

4. The gas produced during digestion process, rises to the top and can be used for cooking or lighting.

5. The solid waste can either be used as an efficient fertiliser, or can be put back into the digester.



The equipment for a biogas latrine is quite costly and the projects are often funded by external bodies. However, it is important that the local communities are involved in consultations and in every step of implementation so that they actively manage the latrine system once it is installed.

Article by Sarah Zuñiga

Rubber-tapping in the Amazonian rainforest: a century ago it was a booming business and a livelihood for local people, but it has since given way to the development of cheaper, oil-based synthetic rubber materials. Now, in its progressive approach to both health and poverty, Brazil is reviving the practice of rubber-tapping in order to produce that much sought after commodity – the condom.




      Brazil is the world’s biggest importer of condoms (from Asia), which the government distributes for free as part of its anti-AIDS campaign and, more recently, to poorer families as part of a drive to combat hunger. Now, in the town of Xapuri in the north western state of Acre, they are producing their own condoms with manifold benefits. Manual extraction of rubber does not kill the trees and so utilises the rainforest without destroying it. At the same time it is providing work and income for some 550 families, doubling the incomes of some. This in turn reduces economically driven deforestation incentives.
      If this domestic product develops into an export, then the area of sustainably farmed rainforest will increase. Let’s hope that soon we can all play safe the Brazilian way.




Also on their way are natural rubber purses and handbags by designers working closely with the Rubber Tappers Association.

Article by Sarah Hosmer

Photo by: Alamy,Silvia Izquierda, AP

Wearunique was one of the proud sponsors of the Polkadot Night, held at Milan's ATM Bar.
The main theme of the event were the creations of young Milanese duo 01mathery, otherwise known as Matteo and Erika two young underggraduates in Design from the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) in Milan.

Even though they are not much over twenty 01mathery already have a large group of fans formed during the Summer months thanks to their project "an idea a day" in which the two young designers challenged themselves to create 100 products from 100 ideas - one per day.

Apart from design one of the key principles that link 01mathery to Wearunique is the use of recycled and upcycled materials that they use in their projects. The fact that they are still students and, like most, are short on funds did not stop these two designers who decided to go around dumps, tips and attics rummaging around in boxes and crates in order to find reusable materials. In fact the dynamic duo believe in eco-design and in respect for the environment, just like Wearunique.

For the event the ceiling of the ATM Bat was covered with glass holders made from balloons. The glasses were on the ceiling and were reachable thanks to the coloured strings hanging down. Once you got hold of the glass the barmen could fill it up! The eveing was completed by the Indie Rock, Brit Pop and NewWave dj set by the Moscova Dreamers..
All of those present at the event went home a souvenir of the evening - a shopping bag signed by Polkadot and Wearunique.

We were there, and you?

Coming soon, photographs of the event.

Whether it's rising sea levels, desertification, torrential monsoons, melting glaciers or ocean acidification, climate change is rapidly altering the landscape of our planet. We may be one of the last generations to see some of the Earth's most cherished places. Here's our list of 10 places to see before they vanish.



Glacier National Park
A little more than 100 years ago, there were as many as 150 glaciers strewn throughout Glacier National Park. By 2005, only 27 remained, and those glaciers are expected to disappear by 2030, if not earlier.

Venice, Italy
Venice has long been sinking, but rising sea levels have made the situation more dire. The frequency of floods increases each year, leaving many to wonder how much longer Venice can stay above water.

Great Barrier Reef
It's so large that it can be seen from space, but the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing at an increased rate because of climate change. Rising ocean temperatures, water pollution, ocean acidification and cyclones continually pummel the reef and have caused mass coral bleaching.

Saharan Africa
By some estimates, the Sahara in Africa is growing at a rate of 0.5 miles per month. The desert, already the largest in the world, could consume all of Northern Africa, altering the environment of a continent.

Maldives
Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of 2.3 meters (7 feet, 7 inches), and an average of only 1.5 meters (4 feet, 11 inches) above sea level. If sea levels rise too much, the country could earn an unwanted title: the first nation to be engulfed by the ocean because of global warming.

Patagonia
A land of untouched beauty, South America's Patagonia could be dramatically altered by climate change. Many of its glaciers are steadfastly retreating because of rising temperatures and declining precipitation.

Bangladesh
Set in the low-lying Ganges–Brahmaputra River Delta, Bangladesh sits in a perfect storm of climactic conditions. About 50 percent of the area would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 1 meter. Bangladesh also lies at the heart of the monsoon belt.

Alaskan tundra
Global warming heats up the Arctic twice as fast as the rest of the world, meaning Alaska's beautiful northern tundra could vanish completely if temperatures continue to rise.

South Australia
Much like the Sahara in Africa, desertification threatens South Australia. Across the region, fresh water supplies are rapidly drying up. Meanwhile, the parched landscape increases the occurrence of wildfires, threatening agriculture, wildlife and hundreds of Australian homes.

The Alps
The European Alps sit at a lower altitude than the Rocky Mountains, and their glaciers and ski resorts are more susceptible to the effects of global warming. The famed glaciers are predicted to disappear by 2050.

Is there anyone that doesn't know what Black Friday is? For those of you who don't know, it's the first Friday after Thanksgiving in the US, and traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season.

It's an unofficial holiday, which nevertheless is very important from a business point of view as it's a strong indicator of the propensity to buy, and an indirect indicator of the spending power of American consumers, so much so that it is carefully monitored by financial analysts and by the American and international stock markets.
The major retail chains offer amazing discounts during this time.

So why shouldn't Wearunique do the same thing?



In honour of the occasion we are pleased to announce Green Friday! On Friday 26 November you'll find loads of products on promotion, with discounts of up to 50% - but only for 24 hours.
Don't miss out.....mark the date in your calendar!

The second edition of the European Week for waste reduction: from 20th to 28th November.



The 2010 edition will take place in several EU countries including France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, Sweden, Estonia and Italy. The communication campaign during this week is aimed particularly at government and local authorities, associations and NGOs, producers, industry businesses and schools. Any of these that decide decide to actively participate in the "Week" promoting and organizing a virtuous action aimed at reducing waste or re-using products will become a "project developer".
The actions that take place during the week are inspired by five main themes: too much waste,eco-friendly production, eco-conscious and responsible consumerism, longer life products, less waste thrown away.
The actions proposed by the project developer, which meet the European standards, will be validated by the organizing committee and will then receive the official designation for the European Week of Action for Waste Reduction. Finally, to reward outstanding actions at European level, the "European Waste Reduction Awards" will be held in Brussels in February 2011.
We too in our little way can do our part so just remember: reducing waste is much more important than recycling it!
Let's aim to get rid of the concept of "disposable" and instead promote intelligent consumption, reuse and recycling. Here is a list of simple rules that everyone can follow everyday and to make it easier Wearunique.com recommends a few products that will help you to respect them:

HOME:
- opt for low-energy light bulbs, which use 80% less electricity and last up to eight times longer than traditional ones;
- choose reusable products, from razors to batteries;
- use soap instead of shower gel, so you throw away less packaging;
- avoid unnecessary paper;
- make compost from biodegradable waste;
- reuse and repair wherever possible, from home appliances to telephones.


SCHOOL:
- reuse last year's stationary;
- bring a snack from home, in a special container, such as the Lunch Box by BLACK + BLUM;
- always write on both sides of the paper.

IN THE OFFICE:
- send an email instead of a fax;
- refill printer cartridges;
- bring your own cup for tea or coffee (preferably funny and colourful like the Lovers Cups by Derriere La Porte) to avoid using disposable cups;
- donate PCs and other equipment that is still usable to charity.

SPENDING:
- ban plastic bags and go for canvas shopping or even better, one of the fun foldable Envirosax shoppers;
- choose products with eco-labels that certify reduced environmental impact;
- buy exact quantities to avoid throwing away excess;
- try to cut out too much packaging by buying things "loose" or by buying rechargeable goods.

Leisure:
- avoid plastic bottles for water or energy drinks but use your own reusable bottles such as the SIGG;
- use rechargeable batteries;
- do not waste money, time and energy on birthday parties and presents but go for an "immaterial" gift such as a ticket to a concert, a massage or a cooking class.

For more information see www.ewwr.eu. Source: http://www.ecodallecitta.it

We love this artist, Ben Wilson, who goes around the streets of London painting the blobs of chewing gum trodden into the pavement.




From telegraph.co.uk

His "works" have become a cult in the British capital, so much so that a map has been created so that you can actually find out where to find these extravagant little master pieces.
The BBC recently made a documentary to show a day in the life of Ben Wilson. Watch it here.
Recycled is so full of surprises!

What seemed utopic more than 40 years ago is about to become reality: the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA especially is hell-bent on harvesting solar energy from space by 2030.

As one can imagine, this will not be an easy feat. Tough solar cells would have to be developed capable of capturing solar energy that is five times stronger in space than on earth.

Once collected, the solar energy would have to be beamed down to earth through clusters of lasers or microwaves and into gigantic parabolic antennae.




The advantages of collecting solar energy in space instead of on earth are apparent: no more dependency on cloud-free days and no more sunless periods at night. Plus, in traditional solar harvesting, much energy is lost on its way through the atmosphere through reflection and absorption.


Image via ESA.

This Autumn's colours are a logical developments of the Spring palette. As well as including the Vintage neutrals we saw in the first half or 2010 the Pantone colours spotted at New York fashion week for Autumn/Winter 2010 also include lively exotic colours for a spot of escapism and a luxurious refresh to the wardrobe.



Read the whole Autumn/Winter 2010 colour report >
See Wearunique's Pantone selection >

Fernando and Humberto Campana are two atypical designers. This starts from the very fact that only one of them (Humberto, 49) is an architect while his brother (Fernando, 57) has a degree in Law.
This has not, however, prevented them from becoming the most acclaimed Brasilian designers of the last 15 and much more. Their fame is well deserved as you can see at their exhibition "Anticorpi-Antibodies 1989-2010" at the Triennale di Milano from the 14th October to the 16th January 2011.



THis exhibition is incredibly rich with studies, models and prototypes of these two "recycling artists". For their creations the Campana brothers mainly use poor materials or those used everyday such as cardboard, rope, apuì (a rain forest plant), but also cuddly toys, plastic, wood and glass. These combinations are a continuous reflection of the world that surounds them: a land (Brasil) where extreme poverty and a progressive economy coexist and huge metropoli and wild forests live side by side. The pieces designed by the Campana brothers are fun but serious and full of contradictions. The combination of synthetic resin and massive tree branches, for example, seem like a refrence to the melting pot of a country where many different cultures and ethnicities live together. The tangles of cuddly toys that form armchairs are a homage to the local wildlife just as the colourful sofas, tables and carpets remind us of the lush Brasilian forests. The Campana brothers claim to have developed their concept of design from life on the streets and from luxury penthouse apartments, frmo the history of art and from graffiti. Eveno though they are courted by large galleries and private collectors all over the world, they don't act like stereotypical artists but maintain a strong connection with te real production process: "Yes, beauty is in the creative moment, but the most important part of an object is created during the phases of production" they say. In this way many of their prototypes become objects of design thanks to collaborations with external laboratories and international companies such as Alessi, Edra or Vitra. The exhibition currently at the Triennale was in fact originally held at the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rehin, Switzerland.