Anyone interested in DIY, energy or our ecosystem should most definitely check out the Alternative Energy Gift Guide from MAKE. They cover some key issues that we as Americans must confront head on, such as our dependence on foreign energy and oil. There’s a bunch of a kits you can browse through that will have you using the Sun as your new battery pack in no time.
A mobile home is hardly a house. It’s a truck with a bed inside. On the other hand, the N55 WALKING HOUSE is the premier modular dwelling system. In addition to its ability to slowly troll surrounding landscapes, it collects energy by using solar cells and small windmills. There is even a system for collecting rain water and another for solar heated hot water. Of course, let’s not forget the crapper and the fireplace, the WALKING HOUSE has both.
Unlike a mobile home, you’re living a pollution-free life but you’re still a nomad. Roaming the countryside with nothing more than your own bedroom sounds great, then you realize you have to eat. Not a problem considering a small greenhouse unit can be added to the basic living module, eliminating the possibility of a food shortage. When we find ourselves in a post-apocalyptic future caused by mankind’s irresponsibility to maintain mother Earth, we’ll all wish we were living in the WALKING HOUSE.
Just in time for the 2008 Green Design Festival in Athens, Greece comes a fresh look from Athanassios Babalis. Keeping it eco-tech, Athanassios created a shopping bag and a stool from recycled bottle caps. Think it was an easy task? Oh my friend, you are quite mistaken.
Babalis collected the caps from his workmates and an extended network of friends using 370 to make the bag and 1250 for the stool.
That’s a shitload of bottle caps but it probably wasn’t too hard acquiring them. Unlike Pringles, caps aren’t incredibly hard to design things with. Hit the link below to see a diagram that explains the entire process.
The ultimate eco-rumor has been making its round this morning. Nikkei biz daily in Japan is reporting that the next-gen Toyota Prius, due out in 2010, will have solar panels to power accessories and amenities like air conditioning and the radio. Getting excited ’cause you were thinking about getting a Prius? Not so fast.
Apparently, only high-end versions of the 2010 Prius are receiving the solar panel treatment. To boot, Toyota is exploring the option of charging a costly premium for the paneling. For now, we’ll have to wait and see whilst Toyota barrels ahead in the auto industry.
Whether you’re trying to score green tax credits or just help the earth out a bit, the $5000 Windspire is definitely the way to go. Designed by Mariah Power, the Windspire comes with all the equipment you need to start generating power from the wind. Due to the vertical-axis the Windspire uses, people in tighter/urban areas will find it fits into tight space.
Though it seems like a great idea and a way to save the planet, it’s certainly not practical. The Windspire towers 30-foot high and has a 2-foot radius.
Did you know that gaming consoles can contain materials hazardous to the environment? Of course you did. How else would a Playstation 3 crank out those sick graphics without some kind of processing unit that’s guaranteed to rot the earth.
Then, in comes Greenpeace to spoil everyone’s fun. This year, it tested the Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 for its “Playing Dirty” report. Surprisingly, all the new consoles contain no mercury and only trace amounts of lead. Of course, Greenpeace found plenty of PVC and plastic softener to bitch about. What re-design for these consoles would you prefer, Greenpeace? Perhaps a biodegradable pile of cow shit with the guts of an Xbox 360 in there? I think I’m supposed to plug this CAT-5 cable into the port some dude painted on the grass.
We’re running out of places to ditch our old garbage. Recycling bins are out of the question because, as we all know, all trash whether it be recyclable or otherwise all goes to the same place: New Jersey.
California College of Arts student Nick Demarco has created a vinyl chair out of plastic bottles and other miscellaneous garbage he found lying around. It is said to be surprisingly more comfortable than your average office chair. The planned production models are said to be made of a recycled plastic mesh, and fully customizable depending on what junk you throw in it. He sure loves his Vitamin Water. (more…)
