Category: Gadgets & Gear

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Gadgets & Gear

Eco-Friendly Apps That Will Make Your Phone Greener

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We live in the wonderful world of the future, where the Internet erases distances and we all keep a tiny computer in our pockets. Technology gets a bad rep when it comes to caring for the environment, and it’s true that your iPhone or Android phone were probably not too green to manufacture. However, you can use them as a tool to help you reduce your own carbon footprint, by downloading these apps.

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GoodGuide – This app is available for both Android and iOS, and it brings the GoodGuide.com database to your phone. It will help you find environmentally-friendly, ethical and safe products while you are out and about. Next time you are grocery shopping or running errands, simply select the issues you care about the most, such as sustainability, animal welfare or organic certifications. The app will show you the best products for each category and also let you check the scores by brand name.

GiveO2 – Another great app for both iOS and Android, this one will track the carbon footprint of your daily commute. It doesn’t matter if you go by car, ride your bike, take public transportation or use a combination of methods, this app will help you monitor your CO2 emissions with the help of your phone’s GPS. The best part about this app is that it will reward you with discounts at several retailers for shrinking your carbon footprint and provide you with a list of sustainable projects around the world to donate to, in order to offset your own emissions.

Carma Carpooling – While tracking your commute carbon footprint, it’s a good idea to try to minimize it. And a great way to do this is by carpooling. This app is available for both Android and iOS and it’s the most used carpooling app in the US and 8 different countries around the world, so if this app can’t find you a carpooling partner, no app can. Carma Carpooling will help you verify carpoolers in your area to reduce CO2 emission and urban gridlock.

Waze – Speaking of gridlock, don’t you hate to be stuck in traffic? So does the planet. It actually raises CO2 emissions and pollutes the air. Besides, it can diminish productivity and put you in a bad mood. Waze is a community-based app that lets iPhone and Android users share road and traffic information in real time. This means that you will be able to avoid gridlock, you will save time, gas and money. And you will reduce your carbon footprint in the process.

Seafood Watch – Every conscious consumer knows that seafood can be very problematic for our oceans when it’s not sourced ethically. Overfishing is a real problem and it can be hard to find sustainable seafood brands, distributors or restaurants. Seafood Watch is an iOS and Android app that will help you find ocean-friendly seafood so you can enjoy a tasty meal in a more ethical way.

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Eco Tips Gadgets & Gear

7 Eco-Cleaning Products To Keep Handy At Your Lovely House

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You do not have to recycle every day or join a protest to shut down the local factory in order to go green. Sometimes the simplest ways to help the environment is right inside your own home. So how can you make your home a little greener? Simply throw away all those window cleaning, anti-bacterial, wood polishing or surface cleaners away and replace them with eco-cleaning products.

Start by replacing that “Pledge” or “Old English” cleaner with the Murchison-Hume Furniture Spritzer. It sprays just like its competition and cleans just as well but it does not have any of those harsh chemicals that can weaken the ozone layer.

If you are looking for a surface cleaning product that cleans something other than wood then try the Laundress Surface Cleaner. It has a nice and soft scent and its ingredients are bio-degradable so it will not leave any chemicals behind that could make you or your family sick. Best of all you can use it on any surface you need to wipe down.

When the time comes to do laundry, you should buy the Free & Clear Laundry Detergent from Greenworks. You will likely find this at your local Wal-Mart easily. It contains a natural formula and none of the harmful chemicals of conventional detergent. So your skin will thank you for switching to this and so will Mother Nature.

Of course carpets usually require a lot of TLC, especially if you have pets which pee or crap all over them. So get the Everyday Stain & Odor Remover product. It contains plant derived enzymes that attach themselves to organic stains and breaks them down. The product is so gentle however that you can even use it to remove stains from clothes too.

If you are one of those people who simply does not have time to spray and wipe then buy Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender Surface Wipes. They are pre-moistened and can get rid of dirt and grime on surfaces in your home, car or desk at work. What is even better, these babies are biodegradable too.

Windows are often a pain to clean because of all those fingerprints and streaks that seem to appear out of nowhere throughout the day. By using the J.R. Watkins Aloe & Green Tea Window Cleaner, you’ll be able to clean even the toughest smudges from windows, glass tables and mirrors using nothing but of the best ingredients that nature has to offer.

Finally the product you’ve been hoping existed is here. I’m talking about the Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwashing Pacs. Simply put one of these detergent cartridges into your dishwasher and you will rest comfortably knowing that your dishes, cups, and utensils are being washed without the use of synthetic fragrances or chemicals like chlorine.

Not every eco-cleaning product is available at your local supermarket so you might have to do a little digging. I know it seems like a big change to commit to.  But in most cases you can go to Wal-Mart or order them online on amazon.com or the manufacturing company’s website. While this might seem like an inconvenient at first I am sure you will agree it is definitely worth the hassle to help the environment.

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Eco Tips Gadgets & Gear

10 Super Cool Eco-Friendly Gifts For Kids

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With the holiday season approaching us so quickly, it is time to get all of your loved ones mark off the x-mas list. Have you ever had an eco-friendly holiday? If you have, then thank you for helping prolong Earth’s life. If you have not, then you need to get on board. Start off small this year in purchasing eco-friendly gifts for the kids. Also remember to wrap the gifts with old newspapers. Recycling is the best gift you can give to Mother Nature. Anyway, this article is not about her; it is about gifts the kids can enjoy.

Here are a few eco-friendly gifts.

  • Yogen Charger: Forget about pulling the string on the back of a talking toy. Now you can pull a cord to charge your mp3, or phone. Great for the constant cellphone text addict. It is worth $50 bucks.
  • Upcycled BOOMBOX MP3 Player: Retro in its design and it does not need batteries to make some bombastic sound. It is 18.99. It is made from discarded boxes/wrappers in the likes of Skittles, and Capri Sun.

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  • EcoZoo Cotton Kids Backpacks: Make going back to school after the holidays so much fun with these lovely backpack. Great for sleepovers too. I want the panda one for myself. They are $36 dollars at EcoGear.com.

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  • Finders Re-Gifter: Go in your attic or basement and look for old telescopes, microscopes, cameras, etc. Gifting something of yours from when you were young can make a great vintage gift. Plus it is eco-friendly.
  • Crazy Crayons Eco Stars: These are only $6.95 and you get 20 of them. They will make a great gift or you can split it up and use them as stocking stuffers.
  • Terracycle Drinkpouch Pencil Case: This pencil case will be a kool stocking stuffer gift. It is made from recycled Kool-Aid pouches. It is worth $6.95.
  • Mix & Match Lunch Box System: Lunch is so much fun now with these bento lunch boxes. They range from $12.95 – $23.99. Plus when you wrap them up, do not forget to fill the compartment with holiday treats. Get them at LaptopLunches.com

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  • Dress Up Animals: Who knew you could dress up wooden toys. These lovely wooden animals are $25.00 dollars. You get two outfit options. They are so much fun and are made of recycled wood. Great for the future veterinarian in the house. Get them at PlanToys.com.
  • Memoir Blanket: Use some of the old clothes they no longer wear and make them a quilt. If you cannot sew then ask a family member or friend if they can sew it for you.
  • Mix Match, the Sock Monkey: Hate having only one sock and cannot find the other one? Make a sock monkey.

These are amazing gifts for any kid. They might not be expecting any of them but what kid does not like a gift. Yes it might not be the newest Transformer or Matchbox car, but at least these toys are helping the earth and helping them become more self-conscious of their surroundings.

A merry eco-friendly holiday to you.

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Eco Tips Gadgets & Gear

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Solutions For The Entire Family

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If you are looking for a gift that is environmentally conscious, useful, durable and at the same time expensive looking then you have come to the right place. There are plenty of eco-friendly holiday gift options out there that you probably never considered buying for someone but you will love our suggestions.

When you think about an eco-friendly gift you probably do not imagine that this would apply to electronic gadgets but you would be wrong. There are some green options for the gadget geek in your family.

Would you ever spend $15 on a battery? Well how about a rechargeable battery that connects to a USB port. That way they can charge their USB Cell Battery while surfing the web, writing a report, or updating their blog. And they won’t have to spend so much money on conventional chemically toxic batteries, which ends up in landfills.

If you have a junior Stephen Spielberg in the house then they will love the Sun & Cloud Camera. It not only has a solar panel to charge itself but it also has a crank that they can turn to charge up the camera in case there’s no sun. If you’re worried that this camera does not compare to the standard ones, do not worry. The Sun & Cloud camera shoots digital quality videos and photo stills. But spoiler alert! Prepare to fork over $180 for this baby. So make sure you really love the person you’re buying this for.

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For those of you looking for an outdoorsy gift, try the Rydon Pixio bicycle light. It is solar-powered and designed to resist the weather elements. So if the bike rider in your family gets lost in the mountains or a park, they will be guaranteed to have up to 60 hours of light with the Rydon Pixio. At $39.99, this gift is cheap but looks expensive.

For that green thumb family member or friend you can buy them the Apple-Tree-To-Be Kit for just $22. Sure it is not much to look at when they get the gift but it has all the things they will need to plant their own apple tree.

If you have a teen who has rebelled against you by going wiccan, then do them and the environment a favor by buying them sox wax candles. They are scented but they will not release any of those harmful chemicals that a-typical candles release when burned.

Bamboo kitchenware like cutting boards and core bamboo bowls make an excellent gift for the chef in the house because the material is natural, sustainable and durable. Plus they will give the kitchen that tropical island feel as opposed to a sterile feel commonly caused by conventional plastic or metallic kitchenware.

You can also buy a couple of throw blankets for everyone in the family. That way everyone can sit close to each other by the couch while watching reruns of Christmas marathon specials like “A Christmas Story” without wasting energy from using a heater and releasing fumes into the environment.

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Eco-friendly gifts for the holidays are available for every family member and every budget, but best of all, you’ll be contributing to keeping the environment safe.

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Gadgets & Gear Home Improvement Recycling

Have The Best Eco-Friendly Home Office

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When we think of going green, we consider changing the light bulbs and appliances to more energy efficient alternatives. But have you ever considered making your home office more Eco-friendly?

Think about all the paper you consume when printing or the ink cartridges you use up and then dump. Not to mention the fact that the electrical consumption is as draining to the world’s power reserves as Edward was to Bella’s blood supply on Twilight. But there are a couple of things you can do to turn your home office into an eco-home/office.

If your home/office uses a lot of gadgets and gizmos like desktops, printers, tablets, scanners, radios, CD players, etc., you will benefit greatly from using one of those power strips that plugs everything in. That way, when you are done for the day, you can simply press one button to power everything down. This is great, especially if you are someone like me who forgets to shut down your laptop or desktop.

While we are on the subject of desktops and laptops, let us talk about which of these consumes less energy. The answer should be obvious, a laptop. These portable computers allow you to work with battery power and provide you with mobility that a desktop never could. Plus, it uses only 1/8th the power of a desktop. So consider replacing that big old desktop computer with a laptop.

If you insist on sticking with a desktop, replace those bulky monitors that look like 1970s TV screens. Flat screen monitors consume a lot less energy and they do not strain your eyes as much. Plus they hang on the wall easier.

Conserving paper is the best way to save trees. If you’re a writer like me, you go through revision after revision. You probably make hundreds of print-outs and you end up finding a mistake and end up having to print-out a rough copy again and again and again. Unless you are sure that the letter or novel you are printing is the final draft, consider using the back of the paper you have already printed on.

While we are on the subject of reusing things, let us talk about batteries and ink cartridges. You can buy rechargeable batteries with a recharging station. As for the ink cartridges, you can get a do-it-yourself kit to inject the ink back into an empty cartridge or you can take it to a computer store and have them refill it for you at a discount of the price it would take to buy a new ink cartridge.

Do not be afraid to recycle the things that simply cannot be salvaged. You can go on-line and find places where you can drop off used paper to be recycled. You can even take your laptop batteries, printer toners and ink cartridges to business centers and have them dispose and recycle these safely so they don’t harm the environment.

You can also use cardboard boxes from things you have ordered on-line to make do-it-yourself shelves for your office.

Be green and keep your office clean.

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Gadgets & Gear

Eco-Friendly TV, Laptop, and Battery, Oh My!

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Eco-Friendly TV, Laptop, and Battery, Oh My!

Going green is the latest fad and let’s face it, Mother Earth could certainly benefit from it. There’s only so much you can do when it comes to recycling. You don’t have to trade in your gas car for an electric or hybrid car to help the environment.

You can replace your conventional gadgets for more eco-friendly ones. You can get these gadgets either online or at an electronic store. After all, manufacturers are trying to be conscious of the environment. So finding the right piece of technology to live a little greener is a piece of cake.

Energy conservation is on the top of any environmentalists’ list. Most of us still have those big old fashioned bulky tube TV sets. So now would be a great time to buy one of those modern flat-screen television sets. By choosing brands like Energy Star, you’ll be using 40 percent less electricity. Manufacturers like Phillips and Sony have especially jumped on the eco-friendly band wagon to provide energy conserving television sets.  The way they save you money and energy is through manual and automatic settings that you can program. So say if the television detects no signal from a DVD player or cable input interface, the television will go into conservation mode. You can even program it to shut down in the event that it doesn’t receive any commands from your remote control after a number of hours.

Eco-friendly laptops are the most innovative gadget solutions. Of course when we think of laptops, the first thing that comes to mind is the requirements. No matter how eco-conscious we are, the main thing we think about before purchasing one is looking at the processing speed, the RAM and hard drive capacity and whether or not it has Wi-Fi capabilities or a DVD-ROM drive. Now you can get the best of both worlds. That’s because electronic manufacturers are creating laptops that have energy conservation features similar to those found on the ECO-TV sets. Then there’s ASUS, a computer manufacturing company who have created a laptop exterior made of bamboo. Since bamboo is biodegradable, once your laptop has processed its last byte, the exterior can be discarded without the risk of harming the environment. Click here to see the beautiful specimen of both worlds.

The next eco-gadget is super cool. It’s a rechargeable battery with a USB outlet. You can use the battery with just about any appliance that uses AA batteries. Once the battery runs low you can take the top off the same way you would the top of a pen.  Then you simply stick the USB cell battery into the USB port of your laptop or desktop and wait until it recharges. Unlike typical batteries which contain chemical acids, these USB powered alternatives do not. See them here: USBCell. Great for holiday gifts. Take the pictures then upload them. Great two in one.

Once you buy one of these eco-friendly gadgets you’ll be hooked. Before you know it, you’ll want to replace all of your gadgets and appliances with environmentally friendly substitutes. So take some time and do a little research. You might actually find yourself fascinated by all the cool stuff out there whether it’s a bamboo laptop or a solar panel battery collector to power your gadgets and gizmos.  While these may not seem like significant contributions, every bit helps and if everyone in the world starts switching to eco-gadgets, it will have a huge impact on the environment.

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Featured Gadgets & Gear

The Good and Bad of Air Purifiers

Spring time is here again and so is seasonal allergies! Coughing, sniffling, stuffy nose, watery eyes and other symptoms making it hard to sleep and be comfortable at home? You need to get an air purifier. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America almost 19 million Americans have been diagnosed with allergies. Many people with allergies take medications, avoid allergens or use air purifiers. But do air purifiers really work and if they do what kind should you buy?

What is an Allergy?  Having an allergy means your immune system tends to adversely respond to a specific protein in your environment. “These proteins, otherwise known as allergens, can cause skin or respiratory problems in otherwise healthy people. An allergic reaction can manifest itself as an itching of the skin, a swelling of your nasal and lung passages, wheezing, anaphylactic shock and death”.  An air purifier will not work for food, drug or skin allergies; but, it can help with hay fever, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies to pollens, dust mites, mold and pets.

Which ones work? Some of the most effective air purifiers on the market for allergies and asthma are HEPA filtration systems. You can use a HEPA filter system in your furnace or attach it to an HVAC unit, which circulates air throughout your home. Portable, room-sized HEPA filtration systems are also convenient for the office. The downside is these purifiers can run you anywhere from $50 to $200 dollars and don’t forget about the replacement filters too!

Some other options. For those with asthma and allergies, the Austin Healthcare Mate has a carbon filter and two pre-filter, which do not need to be changed for three to five years. The IQ Air HealthPro Plus features a hyper HEPA filter that can trap particles smaller than 0.3 microns; however, the filters need to be changed every six to 18 months. Finally, the BlueAir 403 air purifier captures 99.97 percent of 0.1 micron particles, and works more quietly than the other brands (Fidler).

Which air purifiers to avoid? Although electrostatic air filters clean the air in your home, they tend to produce ozone, which has been shown through Consumer Reports testing to irritate lungs and actually make asthma and allergies worse (and it’s bad for the environment too)!  The report claims that the ozone can mix with chemicals in home cleaners and might possible produce formaldehyde. This formaldehyde can then seep into your bedding, couch cushions, carpets, etc. Avoid gas-phase absorption air filters as well. They do not trap contaminants; rather, the filters work to convert the contaminants into harmless compounds. They typically rid the home of smells, not allergens.

Sources: ehow.com, (http://www.ehow.com/about_6502007_do-air-purifiers-work-allergies_.html).

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Eco Tips Featured Gadgets & Gear

Tips to Help Keep Your Reusable Bags Clean

Reusable shopping bags are a great way to be eco-friendly and stop yourself from using plastic bags. I not only use them at the grocery but also when I’m out clothes shopping, sometimes when I need a gym bag in a pinch, or even to run errands. I was recently told how dangerous it was to use the reusable bags without a washing in-between. When I thought about it I realized I don’t think I have ever washed my reusable bags! However I’m sure I’m not alone. A quick study was done of patrons in a grocery store and 97 percent of shoppers admit that they have never washed their reusable bags!

A recent study funded by the American Chemistry Council found that nearly every reusable bag examined for bacteria contained bugs, coliform bacteria (suggesting raw-meat or uncooked-food contamination), mold, yeast or E. coli. The study didn’t specify what strands of E. coli were found (many of which are harmless).

If you take a moment to really think about it, people are putting meats, unwashed foods and all sorts of items in these bags. Logic would tell you these bags could get unsanitary pretty quickly, however don’t just toss your bags just yet.

Some simple tips to help keep your reusable bags clean and sanitary:

  • Reusable bags should be washed after every use when carrying food just as you would clean a kitchen towel
  • Use more than one bag and label them “Meat, Dairy, Produce,” etc.
  • Don’t leave any unwashed bags in your car, the heat can help bacteria grow

How to Wash Reusable Bags

Some bags have labels with instructions on how to launder. For those that do not, if the bag is a woven canvas bag launder in hot water with your usual detergent. These can be line dried or tossed in the dryer.  Plastic-lined reusable bags should be scrubbed using hot water and soap and air-dried.

Make sure that both the cloth and plastic-lined reusable bags are completely dry before storing them.

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Featured Gadgets & Gear

Is Your Shower Curtain Safe?

If you’re showering behind a vinyl curtain, especially a new one, best not to inhale too deeply — the plastic contains phthalates and other toxic chemicals that readily evaporate, or “off-gas” into the air. Hot steamy conditions promote the release of phthalates that are not chemically bonded to the polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC), to which they lend that soft but creepy cling. There are many side effects that can occur from PVC plastic shower curtains. Some of these symptoms include: eye irritation, nose and throat discomfort, breathing problems, allergic skin reactions, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness and nosebleeds.

However there is a solution! When shopping for a new shower curtain make sure to pick up a non-vinyl one. There are so many different solutions on the market. You can buy a cotton, hemp, and PEVA shower curtain. All of these curtains are safe for you and safe for the environment!

A lot of chain stores are now moving toward PVC free shower curtain and liners. Check out your local Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Target stores for chic and safe shower curtain and liners that will help keep you and your family safe.

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Articles Gadgets & Gear Green Building Home Design Home Improvement

Energy Saving Appliances

It seems that every company on the market claims to have energy efficient products that can lower your bills. How many times have you been walking through the store and you see the claims of “lowering your heating bill” or “eco-friendly dishwasher”? Just because an appliance company might claim to be “energy efficient” that does not mean it is necessarily true.

Every appliance is different and every appliance has a different rating scale. The good news is that the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection agency have started working with Energy Star to label products when they are energy efficient thus protecting you from .

The Energy Star label states that the products either exceed federal energy consumption standards (normally by at least 15 percent or more) or they have energy saving features built into them. All products that have the Energy Star label are energy efficient products made to save you money and save the environment.

All products have different types of ratings and rates. When shopping for a new energy efficient product make sure you check the labels for the corresponding rating.

Central Air Conditioner:  SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is the measure that is used to rate efficiency. The higher the number the more energy efficient the unit is try and look for a unit with a SEER of 12 or more.

Washing Machine:  EF (Energy Factor) indicates the number of complete cycles a washer will operate while using one kilowatt-hour of electricity. The current federal standard for energy efficient washers is an EF of 1.18, while Energy Star washers require an EF of 2.5.

Dishwashers:  EF (Energy Factor) indicates the number of complete cycles a dishwasher will complete while using one-kilowatt hour of electricity. Dishwashers that qualify for the Energy Star label have an EF of 0.52 or greater.

Refrigerators and Freezers:  The labels indicate the number of kilowatt-hours of electricity the appliance will use in one year of operation. The smaller the number, the more efficient the appliance and lower your bills.

In addition to saving you money every month, buying certified Energy Star appliances can also give you a tax credit at the end of the year. To find out if your new appliances make the cut check out Energystar.gov here for a complete list and details and to see if you qualify. Buying energy efficient appliances will help reduce your carbon footprint and will also lower your water bill and electric bill.

Source: housewares.about.com