Green News
GlowPaint, a company until now concerned primarily with the needs of ravers and cyber-goths, has announced that it has a new light-emitting product that could help save the planet as it is self-fuelling and completely non-toxic.
Called 'Litroenergy', its newest innovation will glow in the dark for an estimated 15 years (as opposed to the usual 15 minutes of a glo-stick) and requires no re-charging throughout its entire lifespan. The Klaxons would not approve.
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Green News
Yes that's right; it's another device that alleges to give you the power to switch off climate change using a hand-held remote control. But let's hear out the claims...
The One For All Energy Saver works roughly on the same principles as Bye Bye standby and EcoElectricals' auto switch off lead, i.e. by appealing to the laziness of the user. It basically allows you to switch off a number of appliances from standby with a single button press, so you don't have to root around under the sofa or behind the TV turning off gadgets individually. So how does it compare?
Related: Hippyshopper's guide to saying goodbye to standby
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Green News
It may seem strange that a printer of any sort should get the thumbs up from an environmental body, but the Energy Saving Trust has just granted Epson its energy saving recommendation label; the first to appear on a printer.
The recommendation was based on three criteria; energy (Watts) used when the printer is on-ready to use, energy used in sleep mode and energy used when on standby. The only question in my mind is should the EST really be endorsing a technology that uses paper where greener alternatives may be available?
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Green News
My tech knowledge is not exactly first rate, but I do know that as gadgets get more advanced they tend to get steadily more tiny. So it was good to hear that a new 'micro mini' compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) was launched earlier this week, suggesting that low energy lighting is coming on in leaps and bounds.
Actress Kelly Rutherford was at the swanky LIGHTCongress show in New York to launch the new bulbs, which are designed to replace the 60-watt incandescent and fit into virtually any light fixture to provide instant, appealing and energy-efficient light.
[Via Haute*Nature]
Green News
Want to do something positive to show your concern about global warming? This weekend it could be as easy as turning off a light, as a worldwide demonstration for more action against climate change is taking place, with those wishing to show support staging a one hour 'lights out'.
The hour between 8 and 9pm GMT on Saturday 29th March has been designated Earth Hour by the World Wildlife Fund and anyone can participate by switching off lights, TVs, computers (sorry folks!) and other electrical appliances.
Want to know the best way to spend your time in a blackout? Check our suggestions out here.
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Energy saving
With all the scaremongering around CFL bulbs and health, I'm often surprised at how many people don't know the correct way to dispose of CFL bulbs, or deal with broken ones. The procedure is pretty simple, and the chances of anything going horribly wrong virtually zero. So here's a quick reminder on what to do in case of breakage.
The official DEFRA guideline on this matter states that 'although the accidental breakage of a lamp is most unlikely to cause any health problems, it's good practice to minimise any unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as risk of cuts from glass fragments.' Follow the jump for full instructions on how do go about this.
Related: Are you OK with low energy lightbulbs?
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Arts & information
Whatever will we do with all those electricity sockets once solar and renewable energy makes them totally redundant? Perhaps not the most pressing concern of the 21st century environmentalist, but one we should indulge, because it's led to some really amusing design ideas...
Scott Amron has created some rather inventive 'socket stuffers' that symbolise our determination not to rely on mains electricity - or something. He calls these 'die electrics'; insulating materials that use power plugs and sockets without the need for electricity. His website showcases these ideas, which include a socket-mounted flower pot, a handy toothbrush holder, and towel hook. In each case, the object is held secure with the attachment of a normal electric plug, but no current is allowed to pass. Neat! [Via Alternative Consumer]
GlowPaint, a company until now concerned primarily with the needs of ravers and cyber-goths, has announced that it has a new light-emitting product that could help save the planet as it is self-fuelling and completely non-toxic.
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