Smart Tech for Cleaner Beaches
As a consumer technology expert and longtime diver, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the underwater world in some of the most remote locations on Earth. It’s incredible to witness such a wide range of marine life--but also heartbreaking to see trash and ghost fishing gear (nets and equipment that have been discarded) even in the most remote places.
With National Beach Cleanup Week and July 4th beach trips around the corner, it’s a great time to spotlight eco-conscious gadgets and tech products designed to reduce waste. From plastic-free hydration solutions to upcycled gear, these are smart, innovative tools that can truly help protect our beaches--plus they’re pretty sleek looking too!
Kara Pod--Award-Winning Air-to-Water Technology
Note: Katie is a Kara Pod partner
The problem: In 2024 alone, more than 1.9 million plastic bottles were removed from U.S. waterways. Plastic bottles and caps continue to be among the top ocean and beach pollutants.
The solution: Meet Kara Pod, a 2025 CES Innovation Award-winning countertop system that pulls drinking water directly from the air. No plumbing, no refills. It creates about one gallon of purified, mineral-rich water per day, which equals roughly 13 cups of water or coffee--saving up to 300 plastic bottles and $1,000 per person annually.
Water goes through a 3-stage filtration system that removes chlorine, fluoride, and other contaminants, then adds minerals for a pH 7+ and crisp, fresh taste.
Bonus features:
Works with popular coffee pods
Kara’s own biodegradable coffee pod line is coming soon
Doubles as an air purifier, filtering dust and allergens as it collects moisture
Compact and perfect for home, dorm, or office.
Waterhaul: Upcycled Ocean Plastic Turned Into Stylish Sunglasses
The problem: Ghost fishing gear. Abandoned nets and marine equipment can entangle sea life for decades and take up to 500 years to break down.
The solution: Waterhaul turns the problem into purpose. Founded by a marine biologist and surfer, the brand recovers discarded gear, primarily off the coast of Cornwall, U.K., then cleans and transforms it into 100% recycled plastic for rugged and stylish sunglasses.
Why it stands out:
Every product is traceable to the exact location where the gear was recovered
The Waterhaul team works with communities to identify and recover discarded nets
The team takes a truly hands-on approach—one recent recovery required ten members to carry a massive net overhead from the shoreline.
Nimble--E-Waste-Smart Charging Tech That’s Built to Last
The problem: In 2024 alone, over 62 million tons of e-waste were generated worldwide, driven by short product lifespans and poor end-of-life solutions.
The solution: Nimble is taking a different approach to how consumer electronics are made--and they aren’t new to this. Their charging devices and cables are crafted from upcycled aluminum, plastic, and glass, and they ship in biodegradable, plastic-free packaging. They’ve even collaborated with Apple.
Above and Beyond: Nimble includes a prepaid shipping label with every purchase so you can recycle one pound of your own e-waste.
About Katie Linendoll
Katie Linendoll is an Emmy Award-winning tech expert, live TV contributor, and global keynote speaker. She is known for making emerging technologies accessible and exciting, and has been featured on the TODAY Show, The Weather Channel, ESPN and more. Katie has partnered with leading global brands such as Amazon, Comcast, Mattel, Mercedes-Benz, 3M and others on select projects.