Metabolix has found a way to produce high-quality plastics using plants and bacteria. In one process it has re-engineered bacteria to turn them into highly efficient "biofactories." By feeding sugars and oils to bacteria in a fermentation process, the company has created bacteria that produce plastics amounting to more than 85% of the cell’s weight.… [Continue Reading]
Rebinder by Sustainable Group
July 28, 2004 by 1 Comment
The Sustainable Group produce a binder made of a durable material that is 35-40% recycled post consumer corrugated cardboard. We are not fans of vinyl, the material usually used to make binders, so these binders are a welcome alternative. The binders have resuable covers that are replaceable because they are attached to the metal spine… [Continue Reading]
Book Review: “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things”
July 28, 2004 by 5 Comments
The ideas in this book are refreshing and optimistic. The authors, William McDonough and Michael Braungart, propose that factories, homes and consumer products can be redesigned so that they are actually beneficial to the world. This is in contrast to the approach of attempting to regulate industries and minimize environmental damage. Instead of trying to… [Continue Reading]
Swampy IceStrMystr 12-Volt Model IM-30
July 27, 2004 by 1 Comment
Notes from Manufacturer: The IceStrMystr IM30 combines ice induced Air Conditioning with the age-old art of evaporative cooling. The cold water rushes through a special Cooling Core to produce air-conditioned air instead of merely evaporative cooled air. You can now choose your own size of cooling container. The water contained in your Ice Chest is… [Continue Reading]
Canon i560 Printer
July 27, 2004 by 1 Comment
We list this inexpensive printer because it is one of the most efficient in terms of ink consumption and ink price. Also, Canon has committed to eliminating lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury from its printers by December 2004. Inkjet printers also use much less energy than laser printers. Notes from CNET: Canon’s i560 desktop… [Continue Reading]
Panasonic Toughbook W2
July 27, 2004 by Leave a Comment
Most notebooks aren’t really built tough enough. They get scratched and break if you drop them. The Toughbook W2 has a lot going for it. It’s rugged (it has a magnesium alloy case & shock mounted hard drive), ultralight (2.8 lbs), thin (about 1.2"), has a long battery life (5-6 hrs), and is relatively inexpensive… [Continue Reading]
Azumi Multifunctional Furniture
July 1, 2004 by Leave a Comment
This chest of drawers by Azumi cantilevers with a simple action to become an occasional table. The Azumis, a husband and wife team of designers, say this reflects Japanese needs where rooms are often multipurpose and furniture and tatami mats are reconfigured as required. Another example is their wire-frame recliner that can be flipped… [Continue Reading]
Chlorine Filter for Baths: Crystal Ball
May 16, 2004 by Leave a Comment
This bath filter removes 90% or more of free chlorine, improves lathering with quartz crystals. You swirl in the bath water for a few minutes, for filtration to occur. Available from: Natural Baby or Ebay
Recent Comments: