Green Daily

EFuel100: Make your own Ethanol and fill up your car at home

Brad Linder — 2008-05-09T18:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Gadgets and Tech, Alternative Energy

The jury may still be out on whether Ethanol and biodiesel are the solution to the world's oil addiction. There's some evidence that diverting food crops to fuel production is raising the prices of food, and it's questionable whether you could grow enough fuel crops to power all the vehicles currently relying on gasoline. But what if you could fill up your car with Ethanol produced in your backyard, not in a field in Iowa?

The EFuel100 Micro Fueler is a contraption that will let you do just that. Basically, you add some water, sugar, and yeast, let it sit for a few days and you've got ethanol that you can use to power your car. The Micro Fueler can also take alcohol, and co-founder Thomas Quinn says he sometimes makes ethanol from discarded alcohol picked up from bars and restaurants.

Between supplies and electricity, it costs about $1 to produce a gallon of ethanol. But the up front costs are a bit higher than that. A Micro Fueler will set you back about $10,000, although with government subsidies, you can probably chop a few thousand dollars off that price.

[via Gizmodo]

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Plastic bag defeats Google

Jonathon Morgan — 2008-05-08T13:08:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Local

In case you need reminding about why the increasing number of plastic bag bans are probably good for all involved, here's an image captured from one of Google Street View's cameras in Alaska. Just when you thought you'd get a closer look at the address you needed to find on Minnie St, you discover that it's been eaten by a large, angry sack from the local supermarket. Fie!

And honestly, that's probably the least of your worries. If you remember, there's an entire "island" of discarded plastic crap that's twice the size of the continental US currently floating off the coast of Hawaii. Plus, if you believe Edward Norton, over 500,000 billion plastic bags are used every year worldwide, the majority of which never fully biodegrade.

So maybe it's time you picked up a cute reusable bag? (Or any reusable bag, for that matter.) Sure, it's a small change, but it's an easy one to make.

[via Gizmodo]

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More ways to love your compact fluorescent

Sea Stachura — 2008-05-08T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home, Shopping Guide

If you bought your CFL from someplace like Ikea's $1 bin, you might be regretting it. In fact, you may hate every moment you have to spend reading or watching tv or scanning Green Daily by the light of that antiseptic light bulb.

I have two solutions for you. One option is to get a new type of bulb. There are several out there that put out better light--not to pick on Ikea. Your second option is to burn through your long-lived pack with a Lunet light cover. I'll start there.

These are basically plastic covers that fit into your ceiling fixture. Four styles are available: frosted, Roman, antique glass and Art Deco. Of course, if the offending bulb happens to be in a lamp, I've got no Lunet light cover to help you. You could perhaps design your own and market it at home expos as Lunet has done.

Or, you could put that bulb into your recessed light fixture, add the cover then purchase different CFLs. Last year Popular Mechanics ran a lab test for the best compact fluorescent. Researchers found that all the CFLs they tested beat the Sylvan Double Life Soft White. That is, the quality, color and brightness of the light as well as the life of the bulbs were better. N:Vision tested the best, and the MaxLite Micro Max wasn't great for reading but it offered color like,"the sun at the beach." How can you go wrong with that?

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New York replace subway tunnel lights with LEDs

Brad Linder — 2008-05-08T10:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Local

Sure, changing the light bulbs in your house to compact fluorescents can cut your energy bills a bit and save you a few bucks. But if you're a municipal agency like the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority, with 60,000 lights to replace, those savings can add up fast.

The MTA is in the process of changing the lights in the New York subway system to LEDs. So far, the agency says it's changed 47,000 signal lights. When the upgrades are complete, the change could save the city up to $4.8 million per year, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And the LED lights are 150 percent brighter than the old light bulbs to boot.

The MTA is also replacing incandescent bulbs at subway stations with compact fluorescent lights.

[via Good Clean Tech]

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Sorry Apple fans, IBM is greener

Shawn Schuster — 2008-05-08T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Climate Change

IBM has some bragging rights in the climate-friendly front today after a recent report by ClimateCounts gave the computer manufacturer top honors. The company scored 77 out of 100 possible points on the ranked list, which beat out such electronics powerhouses as Canon, Toshiba, Sony and most notably, Apple. Even Microsoft, with a lower-than-average 38 points had more than three times that of Apple's meager 11 points.

So how much of an impact does this report actually have, and how were these companies ranked? Well, according to their scorecard, they scored companies based on their climate footprint, how effectively they've reduced their climate impact, whether they've supported or blocked progressive climate policy initiatives and if they've made their climate protection efforts public or not.

Check out the complete report and see what you think. You may be surprised.

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GreenTech: Who needs solar power when you've got pedal power?

Brad Linder — 2008-05-07T18:31:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, GreenTech, Alternative Energy

Solar powered gadget chargers may be all the rage these days, but what do you do if your iPod runs out of juice while you're spelunking? Well, I certainly hope your solution isn't to pull a pedal powered generator out of your pocket, because that just seems kind of dangerous if you're in a cave. But if you're sitting at home and trying to think of ways to get a bit of exercise while keeping your phone or MP3 player charged, this Chinese pedal powered doohickey could be just what you're looking for.

This little charger packs what looks like a pretty hefty battery, and it even has an LED flashlight on the front in case the power goes out. I wouldn't normally bother to point that out, but there's a big shiny picture on the product homepage showing off the flashlight, so I guess it must be important.

If you get tired of pedaling with your feet, you can also place the charger on a table or desk and use it as a hand crank. This ¥14,800 ($141 US) generator isn't the only pedal powered gadget charger we've seen. But it's certainly the blue-est. That's got to count for something, right?

[via EcoFriend and TFTS]

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GreenTech: Wind-powered watch winds without waste

Patrick Metzger — 2008-05-07T08:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Fashion, Gadgets and Tech, GreenTech

Looking for a practical fashion statement that'll give you cred whether you're in the boardroom or at the latest Al Gore award gala? The UR 202 watch from Urwerk is not only one cool-looking gadget, but it uses compressed air from wind turbines to help keep itself wound. It's as if James Bond and David Suzuki got together and had a child, only for some reason it was a watch.

The mechanism by which the watch works is described in incomprehensible detail on the Urwerk site, but as far as I can tell the it uses a relatively standard self-winding system, with the mini wind turbines serving to keep the watch from overwinding. While that's not going save the world a whack of kilowatts, it's nice to see this kind of technology being incorporated on such a small scale in consumer items.

No indication of price, but it's made in Switzerland by two guys in black turtlenecks so be prepared to cash in the kids' college funds. That said, if the UR202 is something you can't live without, there's a list of retailers on the site.

via [engadget]

Solar powered leather satchel

Josh Loposer — 2008-05-05T13:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Fashion, Gadgets and Tech

We've seen our share of compact solar chargers, and while they might deliver an off-the-grid charge for you portable devices, they usually fall well short of making a desirable fashion statement. That's why it's refreshing to see a designer that takes style as seriously as it takes sustainability. Noon Solar, an eco-minded baggage company, has come up with a fashionable line of handbags equipped with flexible solar panels to charge your phone or iPod.

This satchel looks like it's built to last -- like something Indiana Jones might outfit himself with. While the full-grain cowhide leather might not make these bags the popular with vegans, Noon Solar claims that their leather is less detrimental to the environment than vinyl alternatives. NS also uses naturally dyed and sustainably-harvested cotton and hemp to finish out their eco-chic, one of a kind pieces.

[via Engadget]

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Dyson Airblade: Clean, green drying machine

Bruce Watson — 2008-05-02T14:16:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech

I'm a huge fan of mad scientists. Whether they're fictional ones like Victor Von Frankenstein and Henry Jeckyll, or real-life ones like Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, I can't help but root for the crazy guy out on the fringes, trying to kick-start the next big scientific revolution.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of James Dyson.

Ever since my wife first showed my one of Dyson's vacuums, three years ago, I was impressed with his amazing ingenuity. To be honest, I also liked the fact that his vacuum looked like the booster rocket on a Soviet-era space probe. Granted, we only had a few small carpets in our house, but I was still half-inspired to shell out a couple hundred dollars to pick up one of Dyson's marvels. Unfortunately, I already had a Eureka vacuum that was both fully-functional and fully paid off.

Recently, I discovered yet another of Dyson's inventions. Some of the men's rooms at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport have installed Dyson "Airblade" hand dryers. Normal hand dryers draw air from the bathroom floor, heat it, and blow it onto the user's hands. In the process, they waste electricity, dry out the user's skin, and deposit bacteria onto the user. The Airblade, on the other hand, runs air through a HEPA filter that removes 99.9% of bacteria. It then propels the air at 400mph through an aperture that is 9 inches wide and .3 millimeters thick, creating an intense air squeegee that literally pushes water off the user's hands. The airblade takes about half the time of a normal dryer, and only runs when the user's hands are brought into it.

Apart from the fact that the Airblade is amazingly cool, it is also very energy conscious. It uses up to 80% less energy than traditional hand dryers and offers operating cost savings of 98% over paper towels. Of course, it is probably quite a bit more expensive at the beginning, but as the price of electricity continues to rise, I imagine that it will seem like a better and better deal.

Regardless of whether or not it catches on, I have to give Dyson some serious credit for his invention. It's energy-efficient, hygienic, and imaginative. Best of all, he's somehow managed to get me excited about a hand dryer!

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Be one with nature, shower outdoors

Jonathon Morgan — 2008-04-30T17:31:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home

It's easy to recycle, compost, replace your light bulbs, or whatever -- but sometimes it can be difficult to see how these everyday changes inside the home can have an affect on the planet. And if you're not the type to get your hands dirty for Mother Nature, it's probably time to look for alternate ways you can experience the outdoors in all its glory.

Like the Screw, for instance, which lets the outdoors experience you, in all your glory. The outdoor shower is fairly straightforward -- just plug it in to your garden hose, turn on the outdoor faucet, and voila!

Obviously this isn't for everyone -- especially those of you without a privacy fence or very laid back neighbors. But if you are brave enough share your nether regions with the great wide open (and won't get arrested in the process), the Screw can help you get back in touch with the environment you've been working so hard to repair. Plus, check out that sleek design!

Only drawback is the price -- which, at nearly $900, is a very expensive curved metal pipe.

[via swissmiss]

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Electric plane ready for take-off

Patrick Metzger — 2008-04-29T18:28:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Gadgets and Tech, GreenTech

Some day soon, we could all be traveling around the world in whisper-quiet electric jetliners.

Just kidding. You can't keep a passenger jet in the air with a ceiling fan. That said, Slovenian aviation firm Pipistrel is now officially taking orders for the Taurus Electro, said to be the first commercially available aircraft which uses electrical power to aid in flight.

Actually it's not technically a plane, but rather a "microlight motorglider",and while I wouldn't want to fly the family to Europe in it, it's a big step forward in practical greener flying. The Electro uses its motor only for take-off, however, operating as a glider while aloft.

While that may not sound revolutionary, battery-powered flight has been difficult to achieve, principally because in the past there haven't been batteries light enough to fit in a plane and still powerful enough to keep the thing flying. However, in recent years innovative technologies have created new opportunities for the prospective carbon-neutral pilot.

The Electro will currently run you about $167,000 and doesn't really have much practical use, but you're almost sure to be the first person on your block to own one.

via [Greentech Media]

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GreenTech: Nokia Remade concept remade

Patrick Metzger — 2008-04-29T11:31:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, GreenTech

Back in February, Nokia introduced a concept handset called the Remade. The particular green spin on this phone was that it would be made entirely of recycled materials, with the shell manufactured from old cans and bottles, the screen from recyled glass, and the rubber hinge made out of old tires. At the time, the Remade looked pretty much like any other phone on the market, sleek and stylish.

Now, earlier this month at the wireless trade show CTIA, Nokia introduced an updated version of the Remade which is a little rougher around the edges, presumably to reflect its hardscrabble junkyard origins. Its revamped look offers a nod to the materials used in its manufacture, giving it kind of a homebuilt feel.

Either way, a good idea, but enough with the concepts already. Time to start selling the phone.

via [mobiletor]

MicroFueler: brew your own moonshine biofuel

Josh Loposer — 2008-04-28T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Food, Gadgets and Tech, Home, Alternative Energy

As you may have noticed, we're all about DIY home brewing here at Green Daily. But, up until now, it never occurred to us that brewing our own biofuel would be a workable option for the hobbyist. With the help of a new piece of equipment from a start-up called E-Fuel, ethanol enthusiasts will soon be able to become the proud owners of a backyard fuel refinery. The MicroFueler is an ethanol distillery about the size of a stackable washer-dryer that offers DIY types the opportunity to produce fuel at $1 per gallon.
The cost of the ethanol still will be about $10,000, but according to the NYT article, the cost could be almost halved when tax credits and government incentives are taken into account. According to E-Fuels, users will simply add sugar or feedstock into the MicroFueler along with a proprietary yeast formula that E-Fuel has come up with and watch it do its thing. Sounds easy enough, but will these stills really start popping up in backyards across the land?

There are plenty of obstacles and criticisms for a product like the MicroFueler to overcome. First and foremost is the fact that it's illegal to drive a car on 100% ethanol. It is possible for property owners to get a permit to produce their own ethanol, but that doesn't mean it will necessarily be cheaper than buying it at the pump -- on account of the high cost of sugar and electricity. Each brewer will have to crunch their own numbers to find out if it's worth it.
Nevertheless, I say that homebrew biofuel sounds like a DIYer's dream come true. My concern is that the potential of DIY ethanol will be crushed by regulations. Will ethanol be the moonshine of the 21st century?

[via Earth2Tech]

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Treat your ears to some green entertainment

Shawn Schuster — 2008-04-25T11:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech

If you're reading this right now, chances are, you're at least fairly tech-savvy. Another step in the right direction is listening to podcasts about green living. Podcasts are basically internet radio shows that you can not only download at your convenience, but also subscribe to (for free) to receive the newest episodes as soon as they're available.

There are literally a ton of podcasts for green living (yes, I've weighed them all), but my all-time favorite is called More Hip Than Hippie with hosts Dori and Val. For almost three years now, they've been approaching green living from a wonderfully-refreshing perspective, and I've enjoyed every word. They stay away from guilt-trips and boring lectures, and they just have fun with it!

So if you're looking for something to feed your portable mp3 player while you're doing your gardening, jogging or simply sitting at your computer, give this podcast a shot. Prepare to be entertained!

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Earth Day nudge: Recycle those batteries!

Amanda Miller — 2008-04-22T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home, Green on Campus

While we've talked about the hazards of batteries being put out with your garbage before, it seems as though Earth Day, falling during spring cleaning, is the perfect day to round up the used batteries sitting in junk drawers and recycle them.

Many stores near you will take your old batteries and dispose of them for you, as well as many local area schools, including colleges and universities.

Are you looking to recycle rechargeable batteries? While they are better for the environment, they still shouldn't end up in landfills, there are plenty of retailers and programs that will take these as well.If you're feeling studious, read more on the types of batteries manufactured, their impact on the environment, and how and where to recycle them.

Students, contact your schools to find out where to drop off your batteries, and let your friends know. Heck, do a quick door to door around your dorm for some exercise and collect some batteries to turn in yourself! What with iPods, cell phones, watches, laptops, calculators and more, students are huge battery consumers.

Help keep lead and other dangerous chemicals from leaking into our groundwater this Earth Day.

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5 ways to reuse a satellite dish

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-20T15:59:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home, Tips

I have week-old, Direct TV satellite dish that has been removed from my roof. I don't need it and I don't want it. I won't go into how annoying and wasteful it is for this particular company not to retrieve and reuse the equipment -- that's another post for another time. I'm probably going to put the dish on craigslist but until then, here are five uses for the device:

Candy dish. I'm thinking of filling it with something small and colorful like Runts.
Artist palette. The arm allows you to screw it directly onto an easel.
Commemorative plate. Paint your own plate to mark a special event in your life.
Bird bath. Attach to post, fill with water and voila!
Build a WIFi biquad dish antenna. Eliot at Endgaget tells you how. The candy dish is much easier, however.

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5 ways to reuse your dead hard drive

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-19T18:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Tips

The hard drive on my desktop was ill for quite some time until finally, one day, it died. Several months later I finally got around to replacing it. Just today I got my repaired computer back and my old hard drive sealed in a sliver package for me "to dispose of properly." So I got to wondering what the proper method of hard drive disposal was and then if there were any ways to reuse it. Of course there are!

You can dig out the "rare earth magnets" inside. These magnets are stronger than your typical refrigerator magnet and must be kept away from your other electronics ... unless your intention is to damage your new hard drive.
Make a hard drive clock and give it to that special computer buff in your life.
Wind chimes or a mobile could easily be made by disassembling the pieces and suspending them on heavy fishing line.
If you have two dead drives, you can create a couple of bookends.
If your hard drive died prematurely and you are a little upset by this fact, you can always break it into small pieces and mail them one at a time to the CEO of the company that sold you the darn thing.

I found a lot of other information on how to destroy dead hard drives but does anyone have any more ideas as to whether hard drives are easily recyclable (only hard drives, not entire computers). Thanks!

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Mail off your old CDs

Kelly Leahy — 2008-04-17T15:51:00 00:00

Filed under: Gadgets and Tech, Home, Tips

If you have old compact discs hanging around your house with outdated files, software or other media on them, there's not need to come up with some crafty way to recycle or reuse them. Simply collect them together and mail them off to The Compact Disc Recycling Center of America.

Yes, you will have to pay postage but a box of CDs and DVDs will qualify for the discounted media mail rate. If you are concerned about the security of the information on the discs, you can always shred them before shipping.

Ellen has already written a post to address what you can do with the cases and any paper inserts can just go with your regular recycling. Happy recycling!

[via: Waiting for the Muse]

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Ohm hybrid: the lazyman's bike

Josh Loposer — 2008-04-16T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Gadgets and Tech, Health, GreenTech, Fitness

Does the idea of a power-assisted bike do anything for you? It's a great day for the moderately-athletic biker, because a Canadian company called Ohm is marketing a new tricked-out hybrid bike.

The human-electric hybrid is great idea for the commuting biker who doesn't like the idea of rolling up to work tired and drenched in sweat. Ohm's bikes are equipped with a microprocessor that calculates your pedal thrust and an electric motor that adds power to make you look like you have legs of steel.

The two models currently available are the Sport and the Urban, both operate on the same quick charging Li-ion battery, fully rechargeable in 4hrs. Both models also receive the benefits of a completely sealed magnetic motor that can toggle between 4 power-assist modes 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200%. The Sport -- as you would imagine -- is lighter, stronger and more expensive, but it's also designed to go off-road. Imagine attacking a mountain bike trail on a hybrid bike, you could really fly up those punishing climbs.

Ohm's hybrid design is completed by two other Canadian startups: Bionx specializes provides the maintenance-free electric motors, and E-One Moli Energy is responsible for the powerful Lithium battery cells. The technology in these bikes are awesome, and I do think this kind of an idea can encourage a different kind of rider to take to the streets, but, as with most startups, you've got to pay a premium for the development. To get into a base model Urban, you're looking at about $2,750.

[via Earth2Tech]

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Could the Oceania be the greenest fridge ever?

Patrick Metzger — 2008-04-15T13:26:00 00:00

Filed under: Food, Gadgets and Tech, Home, GreenTech

A new concept from designer Tez Patel brings together a variety of eco-friendly ideas in what may be the greenest refrigerator ever.

The Oceania would feature magnetic refrigeration for the top three drawers, meaning greater energy efficiency than standard fridges, and no environmentally hazardous hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (Note: magnetic refrigeration is an idea that is working in labs, but isn't quite ready for consumer primetime yet).

The bottom section would use passive cooling from ceramics and water, and would stay cold enough for non-perishables like fruits and vegetables.

Other eco-design features include separate drawers so that the entire fridge doesn't have to be opened every time you want a probiotic yogurt, and clear front panels so you can scan your beer collection without having to lose all that cold air. And naturally, all the parts of this Jetson-age kitchen gadget would be either biodegradable.

via [Yanko]

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