Every coin has two sides, So does our NFTs. With all the possibilities that NFTs bring into each industry, it brings in some challenges like pollution. We are wired to rely on the treasure of technology whenever we are faced with a challenge. Thus, Clean NFTs in the technical frontier  are the answer to the pollution problem. Sounds weird? Keep reading to learn more about clean NFTs. We have covered the essential information about clean NFTs through the following headings.

What is a dirty NFT?

Dirty NFTs are non-fungible tokens emitting a high carbon volume while minting. These carbon emissions adversely affect the planet and its living beings. Ethereum is a common platform that produces a large quantity of carbon. Ethereum uses a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to secure the transactions. This process contributes to the massive carbon footprint—making ‘Dirty NFTs’.

What is a clean NFT?

Clean NFTs are non-fungible tokens minted from energy-efficient platforms using a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism.  Instead of miners, PoS blockchains have validators. There is no energy-intensive computational process to validate the transactions in PoS. So it is considered that the NFTs based on Proof-of-stake networks are often called Clean NFTs, and the environmental impact is significantly lower.

Why is there a need for clean NFTs?

NFT minting comes at a massive environmental cost. A London-based artist and creative technologist, Memo Akten calculated the minting of an Ethereum-based NFT piece of art used over 142 kWh of energy, generating 83kg of CO2. 

These emissions pollute the environment, causing climate change, increased greenhouse gases, and temperature. The PoS model verifies transactions through less energy-intensive validation than mining, making the process more carbon-efficient than the PoW model.

How to make an NFT environment friendly?

Using environmentally friendly NFTs, artists can unlock a new realm of possibilities. So, it is very important to understand the blockchains that use more sustainable networks. By using NFT marketplaces that support those networks, you can play a part in pushing for industry-wide change to sustainable NFTs.

Below are some of the ways to improve the carbon footprint of NFTs:

Lazy Minting

Lazy minting is when the creator does not have to pay the gas fee for minting the NFTs upfront, but they can list it on marketplaces for sale. When a person buys an NFT, it is minted just in time, and the minting cost is added to the total cost of the NFT.

Sidechains

Another alternative to eliminate excessive energy consumption is sidechains. These chains are independent blockchains that operate parallel to mainchains like Ethereum. Since sidechains don’t have to rely on a distributed network of computers to verify transactions, their carbon footprint is very low.

Related article: BEP 721 token: The Binance Smart Chain supported NFT

Bridges

Bridges offer a way to migrate the assets between blockchains. This can also be referred to as interoperability, which allows chains to interact and the buyer to go from Ethereum to another less impactful chain without losing the data minted.

Instead of the above methods, NFT enthusiasts can also use other blockchain platforms that are times better for the environment in terms of carbon footprint. Some popular chains are Polkadot, Tezos, Algorand, Hedera Hashgraph, and other proof-of-stake networks.

How to create a clean NFT?

As the trend toward Proof of Stake seems to be gaining traction, here are some platforms running on more energy-efficient PoS networks and are currently the best solution for creating NFTs without impacting the planet with high energy use.

Tezos

Tezos is a network of PoS blockchain that is growing fast, and many artists look forward to creating NFTs in this network. Tezos is a very accessible platform and lets anyone with a crypto wallet buy and sell NFTs. The low carbon footprint of Tezos helps designers and buyers not compromise on the sustainability of their art. The platform allows the users to stay ahead of the constantly evolving trends in the blockchain ecosystem, including gas optimizations.

Related article: Polygon blockchain: How does it work and how to get started with it?

Algorand

Algorand is another fast and affordable option with minimal carbon footprints. Algorand’s Pure Proof-of-Stake Protocol (PPoS) makes minting NFTs and transacting them affordable compared to other blockchains. Algorand has capabilities like other popular chains and allows users to tokenize a high volume of NFTs without environmental abuse.

Hedera Hashgraph

Hedera has adopted a sustainable environment as a core value and is taking measures not to burden the environment with carbon emissions. The Hedera network’s underlying technology, the energy-efficient hashgraph algorithm, and PoS consensus mechanism have laid a solid foundation for relatively sustainable network operations. Moreover, Hedera is purchasing carbon offsets every quarter to ensure environmental sustainability and a carbon-negative network for any end-user utilizing the network.

Several clean NFT projects are gaining popularity, using a mix of different Proof of stake variations. Some of the sustainable NFT marketplaces are given below:

OneOf

OneOf is an NFT platform that benefits from the PoS network of the Tezos. They focus on connecting musical artists and fans through NFTs with no minting cost. NFT fans of all budgets can purchase NFTs with a credit card or bid on items.

DOGAMÍ

Dogami is the first NFT play-to-earn augmented reality mobile game, where you adopt and raise your 3D dog and earn $DOGA in the ‘Petaverse’. As the world’s first Petaverse platform powered by Tezos, players can collect, raise, and trade their pampered pooches as NFTs. 

McLaren

The Mclaren Racing Collective allows Formula 1 fans to build a digital imprint of their 2021 Monaco Grand Prix classic (a car racing event), the Gulf-liveried MCL35M (race car model). The experience involves collecting 22 NFT digital pieces and virtually re-constructing the car from scratch. 

Papa John’s Pizza 

PAPA Johns pizza launched its own NFT series on Tezos blockchain, where NFT hot bags are given away every time hungry customers order pizza from them.

Worldwide Asset Exchange

Worldwide Asset Exchange (WAX) is a blockchain built for NFTs with delegated Proof of stake algorithms, and it claims to use less than 0.00001% of the energy of POW chains. WAX launched its carbon offset NFTs in 2021, ensuring that a sapling is planted for every NFT purchase on their blockchain.

Bottom line

The idea of clean NFTs has not yet eliminated the current NFTs from NFT markets. However, this environmentally friendly technology will soon become the most preferred. The artists are pushing the move to mint the collectibles on marketplaces with cleaner cryptocurrencies since the PoS trend has already gained hold. Therefore, clean NFTs are a beckoning green flag if you want to invest in NFTs!

Related article: Where will NFTs pop up next?

Author

Accubits Technologies is a full-service software provider offering product development and digital transformation services to Governments, Tech startups, Fortune 1000 companies, and Businesses.