Procure Astutely & Make Everyday Products Sustainable

Positive Impact, operating in Australia and Singapore, teams up with the Asia’s leading sustainable manufacturer with over 15 years research and development experience to bring scalable eco-solutions, going beyond supplying he eco-products to inspire industry to nurture talent, procure astutely and develop best practices for a sustainable and healthy business. Meanwhile, The Guardian bring us convertible designs, which can make products more durable, reducing consumption and waste. Here are 12 of the most intriguing, interlocking consumer products on the market or coming soon. Read More

What or Who is Positive Impact

Positive Impact launched in Australia in 2008 and the Singapore subsidiary followed in January 2013.  The company has evolved from an eco merchandise company into a full service corporation solutions organisation helping businesses design and implement their projects relating to all areas of Corporate Social Responsibility.

In December 2013 Positive Impact teamed up with the Asia’s leading sustainable manufacturer with over 15 years research and development experience to bring scalable eco-solutions.  The products service a range of industry sectors including hotels, hospitals, schools, conferences, events and the products are made from materials such as bamboo, rice husks, wheat straw, PLA (corn), organic cotton, biodegradable plastic, E-Leather and basgasse.

Positive Impact is an enabler, a facilitator and a connector.  Our mission is to create social and environmental change by cultivating business partnerships. We want to inspire industry to nurture talent, procure astutely and develop best practices for a sustainable and healthy business.

Employing and implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program is a big job.  We are here to help you through the process, one step at a time.

Miki Massey is the Founder of Positive Impact.   After 10+ years working in sales and marketing Miki transferred her skills across to follow her passion of developing environmental and social impact partnerships.  Initially she worked for Australian environmental firm Neco and then launched her own business in 2008.  

Our Services

Sustainable Sourcing

We are committed to supplying our customers with quality, affordable, innovative and sustainable products.

Our objectives are to:

•             Deliver a comprehensive range of sustainable products enabling our customers to minimise their requirements for raw materials and toxic plastics

•             Single supply chain with simple re-ordering processes with quality control procedures

•             Engage with our suppliers to ensure they operate within our code of conduct and strive to continually make improvements

•             Encourage a our customers to green their supply chain

•             Help our customers design communication strategies detailing objectives, efforts and achievements

In addition, Miki has expanded her offering now to also make sure Positive Impact can support organisations large and small with:

•             People Development – We design tailored training, development, health and wellbeing programs

•             Community Engagement – We connect businesses to charity, social enterprise & environmental programs

•             Environment – We are passionate about protecting our environment and aim to encourage businesses to take holistic approach to enhancing corporate cultures

Source: www.positiveimpact.com.sg

Modularity gone wild: making everyday products sustainable

Convertible designs can make products more durable, reducing consumption and waste. Here are 12 of the most intriguing, interlocking consumer products on the market or coming soon

Sarah LaBrecque in The Guardian (3 April 2014)

Modular playhouse from Play Modern.

Modular playhouse from Play Modern: Looking for a customizable and safe playhouse for your child? This US-based company’s outdoor structures are all made with FSC certified materials, and have non-toxic finishes, including one that is made from whey, a byproduct of cheese-making. They are also certified by the California Air Resources Board which means they meet stringent formaldehyde emissions standards for composite wood products.

To add to their sustainability credentials, the structures have no added urea-formaldehyde (common in most engineered wood products) and the railings are made from part-recycled aluminum and can be 100% recycled. They fit together in a one or two story configuration, with the option of a slide or personalized lettering.

Fantasia lamp

Fantasia lamp by Manifattura Italiana Design: This lamp can be propped up by anything you happen to have lying around which fits in the base, be it spaghetti, flowers, broom handles or carrots. The 3D printed base is made from bio-plastic, which is derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats, corn starch, or microbiota. Although the bulb shown here is a low-watt incandescent light, it can be fitted with a more energy efficient bulb such as halogen or LED, up to 150W. The lamps will soon be available for order.

Interface carpet tile

Harmonize and Ground Waves carpet tiles by Interface: The global carpet tile company is known for its commitment to principles of sustainability, and strives for zero negative environmental impact by 2020. Tiles can be mixed and matched and have a simple, glue-free installation. They come in hundreds of colors and have 100% recycled content fiber that combines reclaimed carpet fiber with salvaged fishing nets. Carbon offsetting is also available for all lines, so you can go tile-neutral.

10-unit furniture system

Shigeru Ban 10-unit modular furniture system: Goodbye flatpack frustration. These L-shaped units can be combined to make different kinds of seating, from individual chairs to multi-seat configurations. You can make a stool, chair or table base with one pack of 10 pieces, or a bench, sofa or coffee table with two. The system is made from UPM ProFi, a durable, non-toxic composite made from cellulose based fibers and clean plastic polymers. These are by-products of other industrial processes so would otherwise be going to waste.

aquaponics

Indoor aquaponics garden by Aqualibrium: And you thought fish tanks were retro. All you need are a few fish to grow peppers, kale and eggplant. The units use a closed loop ecosystem whereby fish produce nutrients that are cycled up to feed the plants. The water is then cycled back down to the aquarium, fresh and clean for the fish. And if fish aren’t your thing, the system can act hydroponically, where pre-bottled nutrients are used instead.

Phonebloks

Modular phone by Phonebloks: The current model of consumer electronics is that of planned obsolescence. Usually only one or two components in a phone will break, while the rest of the unit is still functioning, so consumers have no choice but to get a new phone. Phonebloks has designed a unit comprised of detachable blocks (battery, antenna, gyroscope, etc) which can be replaced when necessary, so the whole phone needn’t be discarded. It works on an open-source platform and was originally conceived to tackle problems of e-waste. Although not on the market yet, a prototype is currently being developed.

Energy Floors

Human powered interactive dance floor by Energy Floors: Don’t waste your energy. The potential power of human movement is huge. On these tiles, the kinetic energy of walking or dancing people converts into electricity which is used to power the floor’s LED bulbs. The modules of the dance floor flex slightly when stepped on which creates a movement that can be transformed into electric power by a small internal generator. Each module can produce up to 35 watts of sustained output and can be used to light up the floor or even fed back to the grid. Party on!

Daily Needs chicken coop

Daily Needs modular chicken coop & garden by Studio Segers: This indoor system provides all the components you need to assemble housing for chickens and small pets, raised beds for vegetables, a composting bin, and a tool shed in a configuration of your choice. Developed with social, ecological, and economic relevance in mind, the system was a recipient of the Ovam Eco Design Award Pro in 2013.

GreenGrid Modular Green Roof System by SealEco.

GreenGrid modular green roof system by SealEco: Extend your garden area, or even create one by using these sedum planted modules on your flat roof. Simply laid on your existing roof, these low maintenance modules will attract butterflies and bees and can help absorb heavy rainfall so it doesn’t reach your gutters. It’s colorful all year round with tiny pink, white and yellow flowers in the summer and is quite low-maintenance. The plants don’t need cutting, just a bit of a check once or twice a year.

Nula dress

Adjustable children’s clothing by Nula: Adjustable children’s clothing by Nula. Kids growing too fast and putting a hole in your pocket? This line of children’s clothing is designed to fit for three years and can be adjusted by adding or taking away pieces, or using straps to tighten or loosen. The clothes are manufactured in the US from sustainable materials such as organic cotton and help parents reduce the amount of clothing moving from factory to closet to landfill. Designs will be available from their website soon.

ecospace gym

Modular studio by Ecospace: Commute to the back yard instead of across the city. These customizable studios are made mainly from sustainable wood that comes from renewable, certified sources and are designed to maximize energy efficiency with high insulation values in floors, walls and roofs. Sedum roofs are optional and improve insulation while low-energy, under-floor heating keeps you warm in colder weather. It’s also possible to integrate renewable energy options into the design, including photovoltaic solar panels, ground and air source heat pumps, wind turbines, biomass boilers and log burning stoves.

Zeoze shoes

Zeoze shoes by Daniela Bekerman: Where mod meets modular. Daniela Bekerman is a freelance designer based in Madrid and specialises in graphic and industrial design. The shoes are available to order from her website.

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/gallery/2014/apr/03/modularity-gone-wild-making-everyday-products-sustainable