Green Solutions Product Picks

By Melissa Reynolds

1. Solar Powered GSM Cell Phone

Samsung's first GSM Solar Powered cell phone takes away any battery-charging worries. The Crest Solar E1107 gets its juice back in about one hour for ten minutes of talk time by setting the handset in the sun. Containing all regular cell phone features, the only hitch is waiting for the sun to shine on a rainy day!

2. Aperture Water Conservation Showerhead

The Aperture Showerhead is sure to make you think twice about how long you're spending in the shower. By displaying the amount of water you're using while showering, that guilty feeling will hopefully make you adjust your shower times. Ergonomically designed to concentrate the water flow to maximize body coverage, it minimizes water waste.

3. Solar-Powered Golf Cart

Never worry about reaching the 18th hole with the Sunray Cruise Car. Instead of gas or traditional batteries, its batteries are recharged from the sun's rays through a solar panel roof. Perfect for the golf course, enclosed community or campsite.

4. Biodegradable Picnic Ware

Cleaning up after a meal was never so easy! Ideal for outdoor eating, this set is made from 100% biodegradable cassava, the tropical plant used to make tapioca. While the pieces can be washed and reused if one is careful, they will disintegrate within a week if left in the woods, or in a few months in a compost bin.

5. Phillips' Biosphere Home Farming Concept

The Phillips’ Biosphere provides food, fresh hydrogen, heat and gas all in one system. This interdependent system houses fish, root vegetables, grasses, plants, herbs and algae all under one roof, depending only on kitchen waste to nourish it. The methane digester produces heat and light, while the algae produce hydrogen and the plants produce oxygen.

6. Xerox ColorCube 9200

The ColorCube 9200 has revolutionized printer cartridges. Made of solid ink, the cube melts and squirts the ink in the appropriate places. The ink cubes only need to be replaced every 55,000 pages, and can reduce the cost of printing by 62%. The printer for this system, however, is designed for large companies and costs approximately $22,000.

7. Earthrace Eco Friendly Boat

Determined not to leave any carbon footprints behind on its round-the-world race, the Earthrace is a 24-metre boat lubricated with vegetable oil. Its bedding foams are made from canola oils and its crew eats only organic foods. Its owner, Pete Bethune, contributed to its fuel by liposuctioning out some of his own body fat to create 100ml of biofuel.

8. Bella Creature Comforts Bed

Show your pet he is really man’s best friend with this comfy bed perfect for your cat or dog to snooze away in. Hand-sewn in El Salvador, these hypoallergenic beds are made from Eco2 recycled cotton with the interior fiberfill made from PET.

9. Samsung Papyrus eBook Reader

Samsung has now joined the digital book age with its Payrus Reader. With touch screen capability and an e-ink screen, the Reader will make a step in cutting down on all of the paper used to make traditional books.

10. Bambouse - The Bamboo Mouse

Eco-consciousness is now just a click away. Made from bamboo, this mouse’s sleek design will feel smooth and comfortable under the hand. A well-designed replacement to the plastic computer mouse.