06. 5.2009

"Magic" soap might make the ultimate recession beauty product

Most of us like to buy environmentally-friendly products were we can and no-one likes the thought of beauty products being tested on animals, but what is perhaps most appealing about Dr Bronner's Magic soap in these credit crunching times is that it has so many uses: 18 of them, in fact, from body wash to toothpaste to household cleanser and many more. At $21 for two 32 ounce bottles, that's pretty great value.

Popular in the '40s and '50s when penny-pinching became an art form for housewives following the second world war, the soap is now a hit with Hollywood stars like Drew Barrymore and the company donates a share of their profits to charities including War Child International.

Plus, as I alluded to previously, the soap is all-natural: totally biodegradable, made with no synthetic foaming agents, thickeners, preservatives, fragrances, dyes or whiteners and packaged with 100% post consumer recycled (PCR) cylinder bottles and paper labels.

Posted by Diane Category: eco
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05.22.2009

The new generation of drive-in theaters will blow you away

Drive-in theaters had mostly died out by the time I was born, and the closest I ever got to going to one was seeing that scene set in a drive-in from the movie Grease.

But now it seems that the drive-in is being reborn, eco-style. The Harvest Moon theater in Gibson City, Illinois claims to be the world's first wind-powered drive-in (although the website proclaims, "The show goes on even in the Rain, Snow or No Wind!"). Company Angel Wind Energy provides the technology and it only costs the moviegoer $6. Looks like I'll be planning a trip to Illinois...

Via Treehugger.

Posted by Diane Category: eco | entertainment
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05.11.2009

Organic sandwich bag makes lunchtime more stylish and sustainable

If you go out to work (what's that like? I can't remember) you're probably not splashing out on lunches in coffee shops or restaurants in the same way you used to (not unless someone else is paying, at least). But not only is taking a fresh brown bag every day not so stylish, it's not so good for the environment either - even if you do recycle it afterwards.

But a good-looking resuable organic sandwich bag is another matter. This one from Bebeloosh on Etsy is just $5.99 and is stylish and cute, so should appeal to adults and children alike.

Via Mighty Goods.

Posted by Diane Category: eat/drink | eco | home
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04.24.2009

Green Tech: New, improved composting in your kitchen

Compost is, I speak from experience, just as good for your soil and your plants as everybody says. Friendly microbes do nearly all of the work of breaking waste plant material and kitchen scraps down for recycling into growing new plants. But bringing microbes and material together into blissful union can be a bit of a hassle for the human composter. I speak from experience here, too.

Doing it outside takes some labor: turning it over and keeping it moist so the microbes can do their work. It also takes time, usually a year or more. And space. A compost pile is not a thing of beauty, so you'll want to stick it somewhere unobtrusive. That usually means outdoor space larger than a small yard. And it generally rules out yard-free dwellings altogether, even though compost would do your houseplants and windowboxes a world of good.

Continue reading "Green Tech: New, improved composting in your kitchen"

Posted by Tam Category: eco
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04. 3.2009

Check out this cool sustainable chair

While a lot of recycled furniture is great-looking (not to mention great for the environment) a lot of the time it's also pretty obvious that it's recycled.

But this fabulous chair, which adds a quirky squared-off twist to the pod chairs that were so popular in the 1960s, doesn't look like it's been recycled at all. Until you look closer and see that it's made out of an old refrigerator. Designers Yinnon and Danit Simhi used an Amcor 7, an Israeli refrigerator from the '50s.

It's cooler now than it ever was before - and perfect for chilling out in. (Sorry - couldn't resist.)

Via Unpluggd.

Posted by Diane Category: eco | home
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03.18.2009

Green Tech: Eco-fashions priced to move

eco%20dress.jpg

In a bow to the new frugality, the eco-friendly clothes hub White Apricot is offering dramatic cut prices on 10 fashions from last spring. All White Apricot items are said to be made of synthetics (non-toxic) or organic or recycled materials.

Shown, a sexy pink dress (of bamboo, tencel, and spandex) reduced 50%, from $230 to $115. White Apricot suggests you wear it to work. I guess it's a question of what kind of work you do. In some offices, that cleavage might cost you your job. In others, of course, letting it all hang out might help you stay fully employed.

03.16.2009

Chocolate binging is less sinful with the Climate Change Chocolate

Would you be more conscientious about doing your bit to save the earth if you were reminded more often that the earth is the only planet with chocolate on it?

Coming to the point, every Climate Change Chocolate not only tastes delicious but also subtly throws in a lesson via the wrapper, which contains 15 tips on how you can reduce your negative impact on the environment. Sample this - "Use cold water if you can. Washing your clothes in cold water saves electricity, and unless they’re really soiled, they’ll come out just as clean." I always do that consciously, I swear!

Plus there's eco-friendliness in the manufacturing process itself, if you care - "Climate Change Chocolate comes with a verified TerraPass offset of 133 pounds of carbon dioxide reductions, the average American’s daily carbon impact. In addition, the carbon emissions involved in the production and distribution of the bars has also been balanced out."

Get either a single bar at $4.95 or a gift set of 3 bars at $14.50 from TerraPass. Sweet indulgence, here I come.

Via Chip Chick.

Posted by kanchana Category: eat/drink | eco
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03.13.2009

Would you like to zoom around town on a shared scooter?

I know I would! A design for communal electric scooters for use around towns is the brainchild of Australian Anton Grimes of the University of New South Wales.

The scooters could be retrofitted to existing lamp posts and poles, and come with a helmet and a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour. It's inspired by cycle schemes in places like Paris, Copenhagen and Montreal but the scooters take up less room (and are just more fun, let's face it).

Continue reading "Would you like to zoom around town on a shared scooter?"

02.26.2009

New water-powered alarm clock adds style to functionality

It's always great to see innovative uses of eco-friendly ideas, and this new water-powered alarm clock from the UK's Gadget Shop is no exception.

We've seen water-powered alarms before, but not in so simple and stylish a design. I still don't quite understand how these things work (even though the Gadget Shop's website says that "a magical electrochemical reaction between the electrodes and water produces electrical energy." A magical reaction? I must have snoozed through the science lesson where magic was discussed) but they couldn't be simpler to use. Simply rotate the inner wheel to see the clock's other functions (including timer and temperature) and fill with water every 2-3 months.

Who needs batteries?!

Posted by Diane Category: eco | home | novelty
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06.17.2009

This 4-port USB hub also charges your cellphone