Plastic Ocean Garbage “Vac from the Sea”

Electrolux is bringing attention to the Pacific Garbage Patch and the whole issue of plastic trash clogging up too much of our oceans. According to Electrolux, “The plan is to make a limited number of vacuum cleaners from plastic debris harvested from the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans and the… Continue reading

Bye Bye Watch Batteries

Citizen Men's Solar WatchWith all the massive ills that accompany our ever-increasing quest for energy, I’d like to concentrate for a moment on something on a much smaller scale. My little dead watch battery. It occurs to me that there are actually ways to get a free energy supply. Solar power is nothing new, but mainstream, widespread use remains elusive. Continue reading

Water from Plastic Bottles or the Tap

It’s really interesting, and a walk down memory lane, to be reminded how there was a time not that long ago when the idea of selling bottled water would have been almost laughable. Sure we’ll pay for a bottle of flavoured liquid, but plain ordinary water? Crazy. And yet it’s… Continue reading

A Whale of a Meal – Sweatpants, Golf Ball, and Plastic…

I realize I’ve been posting rather a lot lately about the environment, and while that is very dear to my heart, many other subjects are also worthy of attention. That said however, I came across a very timely adjunct to some of my other posts that I really must share.… Continue reading

Happy Earth and Avatar DVD Release Day

A couple of days ago, I listed a few companies with special Earth Day offers, noting the irony of consumption on this occasion. Speaking of other marketing campaigns, here’s one tailor made for Earth Day. The April 22nd 2010 release of Avatar on DVD and Blu-ray. It almost seems designed… Continue reading

Not Just Plastic Ocean Garbage

This week marked the release of the Ocean Conservancy’s report for its 2009 global trash cleanup. They have led such a cleanup every year since 1986 in response to the increasing accumulation of garbage in our oceans. I’ve talked before about all the plastic in the ocean now, especially places… Continue reading

And Now the Least Green Electronics Companies

It seemed like if I was going to talk about the 5 greenest electronics companies, I should also address the five least green. Guide to Greener Electronics – The Bottom 5: Dell – Reduced score on energy criteria and penalty point for delaying toxics phase out till 2011. Score: 3.9… Continue reading

Which Electronics Companies Are Greenest?

As I was searching for information on Apple’s iPad and possible alternatives, I came across something very impressive about Apple, and a few other top electronics manufacturers. Since August 2006, Greenpeace has been periodically releasing updated versions of their Guide to Greener Electronics that “ranks the 18 top manufacturers of… Continue reading

Let There Be LED Light

Bright Star earth led lightbulb
We are encouraged to switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in the name of the energy conservation and the environment. I have long had a problem though with the mercury, albeit a small amount, that is in CFLs. It just seems an odd thing to bring more of into our homes, rather than less, when we now know how bad mercury exposure is. Continue reading

Stuffed Up With Stuff

Stuff. We do seem to like it. And collect it. And move it around. And around again and again someplace else. Hopefully in the process we get more enjoyment from it than it costs. Both to the wallet and to our sense of freedom. Tied down to all that stuff.… Continue reading