As Covid looks like it might be making a very unwelcome comeback, design studio Morrama is working with Abingdon Health to develop plastic-free lateral flow tests. It claims that its new designs reduce the plastic use across the full test kit by 62% but the team aims to have its first plastic-free, compostable cassette available to customers within the next 12 months. Story from Design Week here  

URGE’s Ella Doran and Alexie Sommer will be presenting the group’s work at the GREEN GRADS Hub at Heal’s today (18 September). Founded by design journalist Barbara Chandler, GREEN GRADS is a showcase for new graduates across all disciplines “engaging with eco-issues”, linking them with manufacturers, design practices, shops, galleries, the media and the public at large. The GREEN GRADS Hub at Heal’s mixes an exhibition of graduates’ work with talks and an awards show. Details here

Design Council’s Chief Design Office Cat Drew will be speaking at the London Design Fair on 22 September on design’s role in combatting the Climate Crisis. Details here

And more on the London Design Festival: as part of the The Circular Design Project, a collaboration with global systems designers SAP, each day of the LDF talks at the V&A will begin with a 25-minute session focusing on the future of a certain discipline or aspect of design through a circular design lens. Speakers include upcycling design project Greater Goods founder Jaimus Taylor and designer Andu Masebo as well as Mayfair restaurant Apricity owner and chef Chantelle Nicholson. Design Week has details here

Norwegian brand Minus is offering “carbon-negative” furniture on a subscription basis, reports Dezeen. “When the pieces are no longer serviceable, Minus says it will take them back and convert them into a charcoal-like substance called biochar, stabilising the carbon contained in the timber and preventing it from being released into the atmosphere.” Read the story here

For more than 10 years, the international Green Product Award has been honouring new products under the criteria of design, impact and sustainability. Each category awards the best product from a brand, a start-up and the best concept. The deadline for this year’s awards is 7 November with winners announced in April. Details here

Reuters reports that Dr Martens plans to launch a shoe repair service in Britain next month. The British launch is a pilot, with a view to expanding the service to continental Europe.The plan was revealed in an interview with CEO Kenny Wilson where he also said that the second-hand market had the potential to grow to a tenth of group revenue for the brand. More here

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