Design
Code-X Solar Powered Hybrid Catamaran Speedboat
Attention Renewable Energy Nautical Sci-Fi enthusiasts, I have just found your perfect water ride. One look, and you can see why – this solar powered Code-X speedboat looks like just about every cool crescent-shaped pointy enemy fighter ship out there. Specifically, this design brings to mind the Battlestar Galactica cylon raider mixed with the jet powered and dual hull performance boat all rolled into one.
Brought to you by CODE-X AG, a swiss company based in Meggen on Lake Lucerne, their goal is to develop ultra exclusive products utilizing renewable energy sources. While this may seem to cause one to cringe at the eco eliteism, it can allow for a trickle-down effect of renewable energy products first being developed for those who can afford the cost of developing newer technologies.
Verre New York Glass Jewelry
This seems to be the month of Eco-Jewelry here on The Chic Ecologist, probably because there is so much great stuff out there.
I recently received a note from Jessica over at Verre New York, a glass jewelry design team that attaches liquid glass to metal pieces for a beautiful effect.
Their abstract collections evoke all things natural, I personally see rain drops, molecules, dew and amber. The quintessential modern material, glass can be modeled into so many forms, colors and textures – and can be easily recycled. Each piece is handmade by the designers, reflecting both their style, creativity and mastery of this art form. Even the packaging is creatively inspired: bottles, petri dishes, and test tubes, as if each was brought into the world by biologists.
Ecowork – Green Office Workspaces
Do you ever get headaches at work and don’t know why? While it is probably your boss or that annoying co-worker, it could just as well be your office furniture. The office is full of toxins, from printers to off-gassing formaldehyde in the desks and cubicle dividers. The EPA even has a name for it, sick building syndrome. It’s more than just paint VOC, it is also the furniture.
Save Trees and Read Green with a Kindle
So the question on every green minded book fanatic, is the Amazon Kindle green? In short, yes, if you use it enough. The estimation, provided by the journal of Environmental Science and Technology, is that you can save approximately one tree per year if you replace your daily newspaper with the e-version.
That accounts for a 700 pound reduction in paper use just from the daily newspaper, add in another one or two pounds for each book and you are looking at quite a big tree.
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Solar Powered Trash Can – Big Belly Solar Compactor
Solar powered trash compactor
I always get excited to see well designed green ideas come to fruition, and the solar powered trash compactor is one of them. You can actually see these on the streets of Boston, MA and Palm Springs, CA.
This isn’t just some solar powered gimmick, it actually has a function which furthers its eco impact. The solar panel charges a 12 volt battery which runs the 40watt compactor. This allows for greater storage and less pickups by guys in big diesel garbage trucks.
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Green Greeting Cards, Notecards and Wrap – Whimsy Press
I don’t always enjoy sending thank you notes and cards for different occasions, but I recently found a small box of blank inside cards with beautiful clean design that just makes me want to write and connect with people. Its strange, I know, but I think there is something to finding that ‘just right’ card that makes you enjoy sending little notes to people. These printed cards are made by Whimsy Press, and would you believe it, they are green!
Eco-friendly and sustainable materials are used in almost all of their products, but they also carry a ‘Mixed Greens‘ line for those with higher standards. These are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and printed on 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks and packaged in biodegradable, compostable corn-based cello bags. They also carry a line of printed tote bags and accessory bags made of 80% recycled cotton and 20% recycled soda bottles. › Continue reading
NH2 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Emission Free Tractor by New Holland
New Holland just released a prototype version of the NH2, a Hydrogen powered fuel cell tractor which is 100% emission free (at least once the energy is in the fuel cell that is). Based on their T6000 line, this tractor produces 106 horsepower from an electric motor running approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on a single hydrogen tank. While that doesn’t sound too impressive, it is still a prototype and the technology is still improving at a rapid pace.
This spells good news for greening the often overlooked commercial farming and construction industry. Heavy movers, construction equipment, generators and tractors are attributed with a great deal of pollution in the world, and you rarely hear about green environmental advances in these areas. They plan a release of the NH2 in 3 years, hopefully with even better specs.
[via inhabitat]
Amenity Home – Modern Chic Organic Cotton Linen and Sustainable Hemp Bedding
Amenity Handwoven Alpaca Throw Blanket
I just found this great sustainable modern design home collection from Amenity, and I want it. The designs are a perfect blend of modern and eco chic, all made from sustainable hemp and organic cotton and dyed with natural vegetable based dyes.
Producing their goods locally (printed and sewn in Los Angeles, CA) and only with eco-friendly dyes and minimally-processed natural fibers, their manufacturing process mirrors their ethic. Hand drawn and individually printed by Amenity’s founders, Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo bridge clean modern design with eco friendly home decor to create this collection.
Amenity Organic Nursery Collection
I was also very excited about their Nursery collection of organic bedding for babies and children. Although I don’t have children of my own, I do feel that the less exposure to harsh chemicals, the better, especially during childhood development. Not only are they natural, they also look beautiful with fun blocky plants and animal prints, so chic parents take note!
With an array of organic and sustainable bedding, pillows, wall art, and even handwoven alpaca throw blankets from Peru, Amenity home decor makes a great addition to the somewhat limited sustainable and eco-friendly modern home design pool.
In addition, Amenity home has been so generous to provide The Chic Ecologist readers with a 30% discount! Just use the code “sunshine” when checking out, the code is good until March 15th, 2009.
Amenity Organic Duvet Cover
