Tag: Chile

Trashin’ Deck

BureoWhile skateboarders may like to “thrash” one skateboard company is instead looking to trash. Bureo Skateboards has picked up on the old adage that one man’s trash is another’s treasure and the company is looking to reduced the plastic pollution along Chile’s coastline while at the same time producing new skateboards.

The company is among 85 businesses that were accepted out of 1,300 applicants into Start-Up Chile, a government-sponsored accelerator program that provides these start-ups with $40,000 to get rolling. Bureo Skateboards was reportedly the only non-technology based company accepted into the program but clearly its message struck a nerve with someone.

North¬eastern alumnus Ben Kneppers is the company’s co-founder, and he previously received $10,000 in gap funding from IDEA, the Northeastern student-run venture accelerator. Thanks to this Bureo team has made it their mission to make a difference and contribute to the fight against plastic pollution in the oceans, while providing innovative skateboards on lane.

Bureo Skateboards
[Via news@Northestern: From plastic pollution to sustainable skateboards]

Wearable Sleeping Bag

With heating costs rising people who spend their cold evenings in front on the couch watching TV can curl up in such things as a “Snuggie,” “Snuggler, “Doojo” or “Toasty Wrap.” All the various names equate to the same thing, it is a sleeved blanket.

Maybe this was on Chilean graphic designer Rodrigo Alonso Schramm’s mind or possibly on his body when he came up with the idea of the Selk’Bag or Musuc’Bag, which is essentially a wearable sleeping bag. Whereas the “Snuggie” is basically a blanket with sleeves, the Selk’Bag – named after the nomadic Chilean Selk’nam people – is actually a sleeping bag with arms, legs and hood, as well as nylon soles with anti-slip pads. No doubt it makes answering nature’s call in the middle of the night a little easier too. With this Chilean-designed sleeping bag you’ll never have to be chilly again while camping.

There is even a kid’s model with front kangaroo pocket, a light weight version and one coming soon with detachable feet for those who want to wear boots, or possibly let their feet breathe. It is certainly an interesting concept, but we wonder – if you don’t have to get out of bed while camping how is this going to help. We almost expect to see people hiking in Selk’Bags in the future.

Selk’Bag Official Website
[Via Gizmag: Selk’Bag is a sleeping bag that you wear]