Green Solutions Product Picks

By Madelyn Lipszyc

1. Skytubes

Skytubes reflect and funnel natural sunlight into your home, brightening up any room. They run from the roof into any room, replacing a bulb and eliminating the need for electricity-powered lights during the day. The tubes can make a big difference, especially in a dark room that has no windows, such as a closet or bathroom. Sunscreen required. http://skytubes.org.uk/

2. Nana Walls

For those who have always wanted to be closer to nature - at home. The Nana Wall System allows you to eliminate your wall, by collapsing the recycled glass panels it is made of. Energy star certified because of their supreme seal, Nana walls will keep cold air out in the winter, and are even hurricane-proof! http://www.nanawall.com/

3. The Ice Bear by Ice Energy

The Ice Bear is a distributed energy storage system that is placed next to your existing air conditioner. It is compatible with most models. After configuration, it collects condensation and becomes a big block of ice at night. During the day, it filters that cold ice collected naturally, into the home. It is able to cut down 95% of energy usage during peak daytime hours. http://www.ice-energy.com/technology/IceBear/tabid/250/Default.aspx

4. Ecojot Notebooks

Writing in a journal has never been so guilt-free! With Ecojot's 100% recycled notebooks made in Canada, the little fibers in the paper along with the fun, eco-themed design, make drawing and writing a blast! http://www.ecojot.com/

5. Boomerang Recycled Paint

What should we do with old, unused paint and stains? Boomerang knows! They make new paints and stains in a variety of colours from unused portions of recovered domestic paint. The colours are inspired by nature itself, available in tones such as ocean, cloud, wheat, and more. http://www.boomerangpaint.com/

6. Zenn Electric Car

Want to continue living the luxurious lifestyle of driving around, but without the emissions? Zenn is a Canadian company offering affordable 100% electric cars that require no gas, and get 280/ MPG. They don't need much maintenance - no oil or lubes. They can be charged virtually anywhere and be ready to hit the road in just four hours! If you've got that long... http://www.zenncars.com/

7. Simon Lee Recycled Electric Guitars

Perhaps the world's only line of sustainable electric and bass guitars, hailing from London, England. Concerned with society's glamorization of endangered woods used on guitars, Simon Lee conceived the Cyclotron range. Made from recycled plastics, they are manufactured responsibly.



http://www.simonleeguitars.com/materials/

8. Lifetree Dish Soap

As if washing dishes doesn't waste enough water, many people use harmful dish soaps made from chemicals that drip down the drain into our environment. Lifetree boasts a soap that cleans, and yet is made from all-natural ingredients, making it impossible to contaminate the surroundings it will inevitably touch. Try their other homecare ingredients as well. If you choose another brand of natural dish soap, it's still all good, but be sure to check the ingredients first. http://www.lifetreeproducts.com/lt_homecare.html

9. Voltaic Generator Solar Laptop Charger

This is the first solar bag powerful enough to charge a laptop! Using fabric made from recycled soda bottles, the sun can now give your laptop battery some extra juice. The only con is that it doesn't work with all laptop brands, but adaptors are being designed to deal with this.


http://www.voltaicsystems.com/bag_generator.shtml

10. Vetrazzo Recycled Glass Countertop

Everybody needs a place to cut their carrots. But with a recycled glass countertop, no new materials are required and Vetrazzo's re-use of glass allows diversion of landfill waste. Each countertop is a unique expression of someone's ex-trash with a beautiful glossy finish. http://www.vetrazzo.com/