If there’s one thing we love it’s paper. And we especially love when people turn it into art. One new artist takes it well beyond origami, creating gorgeous 3-D art out of recycled paper. Ali Golzad is an artist living in Texas, originally from Göteborg, Sweden by way of Tehran, Iran. With a background as a graphic designer and creative director, his latest project asks us to question how we normally look at waste and see something beautiful: “Over the years I have developed my own technique using various mediums,” he says. “Aside from my formal graphic design training and time spent as a Creative Director you could say I am a self taught artist. My urge to create while still caring for our planet enabled me to look at ordinary objects in a new light and transform these commonly discarded materials into something meaningful.” We love the innovative use of paper techniques to recreate well-known figures. More pictures after the jump.

Are you getting the new iPhone 5? Pre-Orders have already hit two million in 24 hours, more than double the demand of the iPhone 4S. Whether or not you need to upgrade is up to you, but if you decide to make the leap, what are you going to do with your old one? Apple has sold more than 244 million iPhones since its release in 2007. That’s a lot of old iPhones sitting around in the junk drawer. USA Today has created a handy list of ways to recycle your old iPhone to ensure that it doesn’t become another wasted piece of hardware taking up desk space.

There are the obvious ideas, such as passing it on to your kids for their very first cell phone, or to a parent so you can get them on the Apple bandwagon. But what about keeping it as a miniature iPad? Use it as a camera or even watch videos on it, if you have a Wi-Fi connection. Consider donating it to a charitable cause. Cell Phones for Soldiers buys calling cards for soldiers with the profits made from recycling old iPhones. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence refurbishes and resells old iPhones, with the profits supporting the group’s mission.

You could keep it around as a very expensive alarm clock. Or make a few bucks and sell it on eBay. Glyde.com and Gazelle are companies that offer cash for your old model. Or you can turn it in for store credit at GameStop or Apple. Keep it as backup in case your new baby is lost or stolen. Or stick it in an iPod dock and stream music. Do you have any other fun ideas to recycle your iPhone?

Pope Benedict XVI made waves last year when he took a ride in the first green Popemobile, a Mercedes M-Class hybrid. Now His Holiness has gone a step further, with two fully electric vehicles designed and gifted by Renault. It’s not bad being the Pope. Renault made one car, based on the Kangoo maxi Z.E., specially for the Pope for travel at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The other gift is a blue, bulletproof version, to be used by the Corps of Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City for the Pope’s security.

The Pope has been dubbed “the green pope” for his efforts in implementing solar power throughout the Vatican. It’s a good example to set. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault Group said: “This donation to His Holiness is a means for Renault to reaffirm its strong and durable commitment to sustainable development and respect for the environment.” The biggest critique of electric vehicles has been their failure to drive extended distances without recharging the battery. In the tiny Vatican City it makes sense that these are the vehicles of choice. But as more and more companies perfect their electric vehicles, the driving range is quickly increasing. We hope to see in the not-so-distant future more people swapping their traditional tanks for an electric vehicle.

A trip of young designers created a shopping bag, the H+Bag, that folds into a hanger with easy-to-fold instructions that are printed right on the bag. Hyojun Jeon, Younha Hwang, and Minjae Kwan took a common problem, how to reuse the many paper bags we get in shops daily, and made a creative solution, turning it into something with a creative purpose that can complement that shirt we just bought. The result is a sleek hanger that helps save closet space. And they even takes a tip from the dry cleaners, who sometimes fold their own hangers to protect your delicates. By not using metal or plastic, the hangers won’t create unsightly bumps in your more sensitive fabrics.

The designers explain: “In order to face against environmental problem, instead of plastic bags, paper bags have been activated by [clothing retailers]. However, it was also proven ineffective since customers throw them away after using them once. This causes another problem with wasting natural resources.” We love how they created a double solution through design. And it’s a bag that any clothing store could adopt. Imagine never having to buy hangers again. The design is an entry in the 2012 iF Design Talents. But we truly hope it will be picked up and mass-produced.

Move over fold-up bike. Researchers from MIT and DENOKINN have developed a new electric car, the HIRIKO Fold, that literally folds in half to fit into tight parking spaces. The new car is expected to go on sale in 2013 for around $16,000. It could be just the solution for congested urban traffic. This 100% electric car passes all the tests for sustainable mobility.

Before you think this car will handle about as well as a golf cart, keep in mind that it can go up to 75 miles in-between battery charges. And the coolest feature? Zero-turn radius wheels allow for sideways driving, making parallel parking a breeze. The car fits two people. And while it’s not quite the vehicle for taking trips to IKEA or grocery-shopping with the family, if you’re living in a high-populated urban area where commuting is difficult, it might just be your new best friend. I’d take one over a motorcycle any day.

IKEA is better known for their assembly-required easy furniture. But most retail locations have a giant variety of green products, just about everything you need to get your garden started. That includes planting essentials for both indoors and outdoors. If you’re limited on patio or outdoor space, check out their new mini greenhouse, the Socker.

Not only does it look adorable in your kitchen or on a nightstand, but the Socker provides the perfect environment for your plants to grow while keeping the climate even. The roof opens to let in water or extra air when needed. For a fun project, fill it with dirt, moss, and Bonsai trees for a miniature serene lanscape. Add rocks, shells, or any mementos to personalize the project. The Socker is an easy way to add plants to any room.

We’re so excited that summer is here and in full force. How have you been celebrating the sunny weather? Personally, I’ve been jumping on my bike every chance I get. I recently switched from a super-fast track bike to a slower commuter bike. It’s a lot heavier, but way more practical. It’s become my go-to mode of transportation. I throw on panniers and take it to the grocery store to load up on food for the week. I feel pretty lucky to live in a bike-friendly city. But when it comes to paving the road for bikes, it seems like Copenhagen has got everyone beat.

In a recent NYTimes story, Copenhagen announced its first ever bike superhighway, 11 miles of highway biking for commuters coming into the city from the suburbs. It’s a gorgeous morning ride along scenic farmlands, with bike pumps scattered along the way. Copenhagen acknowledges that biking means happier, healthier citizens with less city pollution. So they’ve taken all measures necessary to get people on their bikes. It also happens to be the easiest way to get around. Have you been biking this summer? What’s your favorite route?

How many times have you been at a museum or gallery and wished you could interact or play with the art? Personally I’ve had to restrain myself more than a few times. In one instance, in a gallery in Japan, kids were unable to stop themselves from playing with a large crocheted installation by artist  Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam. As a result, MacAdam listened to her audience and built her first large-scale crocheted playground just for kids in Tokyo. The result was something straight out of a fairy tale.

Over twenty years later, MacAdam is still designing gorgeous crocheted landscapes. She works with her husband in Nova Scotia, Canada to build the playgrounds on a wider scale through their company Interplay Design and Manufacturing. The playgrounds are all natural, free from sharp metals and plastic, and thus provide a safe and creative environment for kids to explore. The nets adapt and take shape with the children’s movements. Lucky kids get to crawl, jump, burrow and hop through the sculptures. We hope to see more of these popping up in cities around the world.

Image via Summer Tomato

I try to buy organic food whenever possible. But I’m in constant conflict. Often the prices are almost double what conventional produce would cost. Is it really worth the extra cost just to avoid some pesticides?  Of course not all fruits and vegetables are created equal. It’s recommended to try to at least buy organic on foods with thin skins, like berries and lettuce. With thicker items such as with citrus or bananas, it’s not as important to buy organic.

But now science has proven that with at least one type of produce, buying organic means not just less toxins, but actually increased antioxidants. As The Daily Mail reports, when it comes to tomatoes, it’s definitely worth it to shell out for the organic variety. Scientists from the University of Barcelona found that organic tomatoes contained higher levels of polyphenols, or disease-fighting antioxidants. These polyphenols have been found to prevent certain types of cancer as well as protect against heart disease and chronic conditions like arthritis. What’s your stance on organic?

There’s no shortage of things to make out of an old T-shirt. But finally, we found something we would actually use. Ecouterre provides the inspiration for turning any old T-shirt into a reusable produce bag. It’s a simple idea that can be used every day at the farmer’s market or grocery store.

Simply find a T-shirt you no longer where. Cut off the sleeves, and zig-zag sew the bottom and sides shut to form a bag shape. Next take a pair of scissors and cut an opening near the bottom T-shirt hem to form a handle. Then cut small slits across the bag in staggering rows. Voila! A perfect sturdy bag that can carry a load of fruits and vegetables, all in under 20 minutes time.