German automaker Mercedes has targeted the year 2015 to end its dependence on oil. The Sun explains:
There are 50million jobs worldwide associated with the car and more than 80 per cent of goods are transported by road.
Mercedes are convinced that these two crucial areas of industry can be saved by making vehicles independent of crude oil - to improve costs, become more eco-friendly and because the oil supply will eventually run out.
The company plans to replace gasoline vehicles with biofuels, electric cars, and fuel cells. This October, the Mercedes A and B class cars will feature Start/Stop technology, which allows the engine to stop when idle and restart once you lift your foot from the brake.
Via: Eco Geek & The Sun
I have my reusable shopping bags, but my green grocery store experience always falls short at the produce counter. I try to reuse those plastic produce bags, but they get funky and I hate using them. I have bought produce without using bags, but I worry about germs from the grocery cart or the checkout counter coming in contact with food. I have finally found a solution: Bag Green Reusable Produce Bags.
Bag Green produce bags are made of 100% eco-friendly cotton. They are shipped in recycled newspaper packaging, and a portion of each sale is donated to a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the environment. I used my Bag Green produce bag at the farmer's market the other day, and it felt good to refuse a brown or plastic bag. The only thing that would make Bag Green better is if they bags were made from organically grown cotton. Bag Green produce bags close the loop on eco-friendly grocery shopping!
The Flip and Tumble bad is both eco-friendly and fashionable. We received one, and have really started to use it for our quick trip shopping over the past few weeks. It collapses into a ball, and best of all doesn't look like other reusable bags.
Bag Features:
bag size = 12" x 14" x 5" = large enough for 3 half gallons of milk and then some
ball size = 3" in diameter = the size of a peach
weight capacity = 25 lbs. = strong enough for a bowling ball or two
material = ripstop nylon
plastic bags spared = 1,000+
at the end of the bags useful life = more landfill. instead send it back, they'll recycle it.
Xantrex Xpower Powerpack Solar - Charge Your iPhone with the Sun's Help
What is this crazy looking gadget? The XPower Powerpack Solar is the first portable power pack that incorporates solar power in a compact, portable power source. It s completely self-renewing, which means the detachable 5-watt solar panel has the ability to recharge the power pack s 10 amp-hour battery.
The 5-watt solar panel captures, stores and converts the sun s renewable energy, replenishes the XPower Powerpack Solar s battery, and extends the runtime of many devices by up to 25 percent. Runs 120-volt AC or 12-volt DC products anywhere. Built-in 400-watt inverter. Two 120-volt AC outlets, one 12-volt DC socket and one USB port. Three-digit display for easy battery status monitoring. AC charger included so you can charge from a standard wall outlet.
A New Jersey engineer Mike Strizki has created a green home resulting in no more power bills ever, and not just electric bills. Strizki converts sunshine into electricity using photovoltaic panels - and then uses the electricity to wring hydrogen for fuel out of ordinary tap water. The result: For two years Strizki has bought no electricity, no gas, no fuel for his several vehicles. The only downside - an investment of just over $500,000 bucks was needed to achieve this feat of eco-modernism.
Ford Cuts Back on Production of SUVs - Makes Hybrids Instead
TreeHugger is reporting that Ford is cutting back on SUVs. No duh. We're bummed people have to pay $4 for a gallon of gas but we're excited that it means less trucks and less green house gases.
"We view the move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles as permanent, and we are responding to customer demand." When the CEO of Ford makes a statement like that, you know that high gas prices have really had an effect on the economy. Not only is Ford aware of the need to respond to changing customer demand, it is also acting on that by delaying the launch of its new F-150 pick up truck, producing "90,000 fewer pick ups and SUVs in the second half of the year than it originally planned," and preparing to make more compact, efficient cars like the Ford Focus and Escape
A group of students at a high school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota has created an electric motorcycle that uses sixty volts worth of lithium phosphate batteries powering a Briggs and Stratton ETEK pancake-style permanent magnet electric motor. That is maybe the biggest mouthful of electric powered jargon we've ever typed. A gallery of pictures are available as well.
The current configuration is said to be good for a top speed of sixty miles per hour and a range of forty miles. The chassis is constructed from chromoly tubing. The body is made from a carbon fiber and Kevlar composite and should therefore prove very strong. The full seat even features a seatbelt. We are not certain that anything quite like this will ever be available for purchase again, but its good to see it in concept form at least.
Solar and Wind Charging Power Tent for Music Festivals
Glastonbury Festival will have plenty of electricity thanks to U.K. mobile company Orange's green cellphone charging stations. The Gotwind REchargepod is the first mobile phone charging station powered solely by Wind and Solar Renewable Energy. The self sufficient pod provides a quick and secure place to charge multiple mobile phones whilst outdoors and away from traditional power sources. With a peak power of 1Kw, the pod can recharge 100 mobile phones per hour, and stores any unused energy in its battery bank.
And if that's not enough - a fully functional weather station and power generated and consumed readout is also viewable for all to see on an information panel within the pod.
Eco Food Friday: Honest Foods Granola Planks and Whole Food Country Squares
What's a granola plank? When I first opened a package of Honest Foods Granola Planks, I ate the plank whole. It was very filling, but dense; that's when I read the package. Granola planks are hearty slabs of whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruits designed to be crumbled into clusters right into the bowl. The planks help the granola stay fresher, and I can see how they would be great for backpacking since they take up less volume in your pack than traditional granola. Each Honest Granola Plank provides 350 mgs of Omega-3 fatty acids, seven grams of protein, 22 grams of whole grains, contains no trans-fats, and are made with organic oats. They come in three flavors: Maple Almond Crunch, Pomegranate Walnut Crisp and Blueberry Vanilla Crackle.
Honest Foods also makes Whole Food Country Squares. These individually packaged whole grain treats are made from:
The Whole Food Country Squares are available in Cran-Lemon Zest, Apple-Ginger Spice, Farmer's Trail Mix, and Choco P'nut Butter. They are vegan and wheat-free!
Green Plug Develops Single Universal Power Adapter for All Electronic Devices
I have a drawer full of cell phone power adapters, camera adapters, and of course, my laptop and modem have different power adapters too! Each time I get a new electronic device, I keep the old adapter thinking I might need it some day, but it never fits the new phone, camera, etc. Green Plug, a start-up company, proposes we use one universal power adapter for all our electronic needs, which would help the environment by eliminating the need to produce and ship a new power adapter with each device. Green Plug explains:
Billions of devices including laptops, printers, speakers, routers, modems, cell phones, entertainment devices, power tools, cameras and so many other portable electronic devices require a power source that converts between 90V and 254V wall power to device-specific DC power. That means that these devices require unique power converters, and that is very costly, is extremely inconvenient and contributes to wasted resources and pollution.
According to MacWorld, Green Plug's universal adapter will also eliminate phantom power draws:
Green Plug's technology allows each device to communicate its individual power requirements to the power adapter, allowing several devices to share one adapter...Each adapter will act like a hub that several devices can plug into... The adapters also will shut off the power supply when a device has finished charging or is turned off, giving further energy savings.
Zero Footprint and Ultimate Eco-Friendly: New Terracycle Natural Household Cleaning Products
Terracycle has long been known for its liquid plant food, now the "ultimate eco-friendly brand" has moved into natural household cleaners. These cleaners are non-toxic, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and have a zero footprint! Natural All Purpose Cleaner, Natural Bathroom Cleaner, Natural Window Cleaner and Drain Maintainer and Cleaner, like all TerraCycle products, are packaged entirely in waste, reused soda bottles and are sold nationwide at OfficeMax and The Home Depot. Made from concentrated essences of plants, shrubs, fruits, herbs and grasses with natural minerals and water,TerraCycle's ready-to-use cleaners really work. The window cleaner even cut through my dirty glass door with little effort, removing fingerprints, doggy nose prints, and mud with one spray. These cleaners are EcoLogo certified, the strictest certification given by the Canadian Government for environmentally sound practices in production and formulation.
Terracycle was started by Tom Szaky, a 25-year old entrepreneur and Princeton University dropout. TerraCycle products are the first consumer products to earn the right to carry the Zerofootprint™ seal. The seal signifies that the materials and manufacturing processes have virtually no negative environmental repercussions. By reusing plastic soda bottles for packaging without changing the bottle at all, Terracycle makes recycling more efficient and require less processing. After trying Terracycle household cleaners, they have become my products of choice for my green home cleaning!
With drought occurring on all seven continents, many people are wondering if peak water will replace peak oil. We already have low flush toilets and low flow shower heads, soon we may be using virtually waterless washing machines. Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a process of cleaning clothes using less than 2% of the water and energy of a conventional washing machine, and it can replace both water and dry cleaning. The process uses of plastic chips tumbled with the clothes to remove stains. I'm not sure how eco-friendly the plastic chips may be, but water and energy conservation needs may override plastic concerns. These virtually waterless washing machines may be available as soon as 2009.
Via: University of Leeds & engadget
I love Aveda hair products (see our post on The Aveda Babassu Community Project). It is only recently that I have discovered Aveda's makeup, specifically products for lip care. Like other Aveda products I have tried, I fell in love with them and felt good about using them on my daughter for her ballet performance, due to their natural ingredients, ecological packaging, and community supported projects.
Nourish-mint renewing lip treatment: This lip product is designed to replenish and plump lips naturally over time, as well as smooth the appearance of lines. It makes a wonderful base for lip color or can be used alone. The new packaging reduces waste by 33%, and the key ingredients are coconut, raspberry, certified organic spearmint and vanilla.
Nourish-mint sheer mineral lip color: Available in seven different shades, this lip color combines the benefits of the above product with color! The improvements to your lips are noticeable in two weeks, with full results typical after eight weeks of continuous wearing. The key ingredients are rasberry, pomegranate, bilberry, certified organic spearmint and vanilla.
Nourish-mint smoothing lip color: There are 21 shades of color available for this lip product! After using this product, 75% of women noticed fuller lips after 2 weeks. Naturally plump lips, rather than collagen injected ones, bring out the natural beauty in any woman.
Envirometal retractable lip brush: Made from 30% post-consumer recycled aluminum and
cruelty-free (not made from animals), this silky-soft, taklon bristles lip brush allows for precise application of lip color. The retractable head makes it easy to throw in a bag or purse without worry about getting the brush dirty.
Nourish-mint abaca clutch: Made from abaca pulp, a plant related to the banana tree, this clutch bag holds seven lip products and the retractable brush, or it can hold two lip colors, lip brush, and a total face compact. Abaca plants help prevent erosion, an this bag is made in the Philippines. It is the perfect little makeup bag.
Even though I don't wear makeup regularly, it is nice to have natural, environmentally packaged products for special occasions. I really love the abaca clutch and the renewing lip treatment!
I've seen this product before and even made fun of it, so when I was approached to try out and review Batter Blaster, I was hesitant. I wrote the company, "OK, but I have to be honest with you, I am not entirely sure I can give a positive review of your product. I have seen it in stores, and I wonder about it. I am willing to try it, which may change my opinion." I'd even called the product "pseudo natural foods" in a previous post.
Batter Blaster is organic pancake batter in a can, similar to a whip cream steel can. It's pressurized, so you just point and shoot it into your pan, and voila, you are making pancakes. It contains:
There is no doubt that this product is convenient and easy to use, but really, how hard is it to make pancakes?. The pancakes taste fine, but I prefer Pamela's Gluten-Free Ultimate Baking and Pancake Mix if I am not making pancakes from scratch.
Just because a product is made from organic ingredients, it doesn't mean that it is eco-friendly. I was able to recycle the Batter Blaster can at our local recycling center, but I wonder how available this is across the country, and it seems like a lot of energy would be involved in product production. Having Batter Blaster in the refrigerator did mean that I made pancakes for my kids when I probably would have not due to the convenience, but I am not sure that is such a good thing or not. Are pancakes really that healthy? I think their usual bowl of oatmeal with flax seeds and some fruit is a better start to the day.
Mercedes Plans to be Fossil Fuel Free by 2015
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