PR Return’s Offbeat Sheet examines some of the world’s most interesting technology, marketing and innovation stories. Often pushed quickly through the news cycle, we think they deserve more time in the spotlight.
If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, the same can be said for carbon pollution and diamonds...stick with us for a minute.
After taking a trip to Beijing, Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde was upset by the thick smog clouds that obscured his view of the city from his hotel room. So, according to Pocket, he built a tower that both cleans the air and turns the smog particles into diamonds. Now, he’s grown his Smog Free Project to include Smog Free Bicycles and more, and he’s launched projects to mitigate pollution in South Korea, China, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Poland.
Roosegaarde’s work has been quite well-received. The air around the towers is 55 to 75 percent cleaner than the city as a whole. One couple liked the smog ring so much that they used one as an engagement ring. Talk about a commitment to sustainability!
Thanks to his creative thinking, Roosegaarde taught us every cloud has a silver lining, even if that cloud happens to be made of smog. Learn more about Roosegaarde’s creative work in sustainability at Studio Roosegaarde.
We certainly found it to be a breath of fresh air!