Best Backyard Compost Tumblers

Best Compost Tumblers

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste your household generates, plus there’s the added benefit of free fertilizer for your yard or garden. There are some nifty options for indoor composting on the market, but to do it on a larger scale you need to move outdoors. Here are four of the best compost tumblers available, each of which will help keep your backyard composting as easy and tidy as possible.

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LEED Gold REI Store In Round Rock, TX (image: REI)

LEED Gold REI Store In Round Rock, TX (image: REI)

REI’s newest LEED certified retail stores are evidence that smart business and environmental responsibility sometimes lead down the same path. These new stores enjoy lower operating costs, and customers appreciate the company’s dedication to sustainable building.

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Toshiba Dynario Fuel Cell Device Charger (photo: Toshiba)

Toshiba Dynario Fuel Cell Device Charger (photo: Toshiba)

The first commercially available fuel cell device charger is here! (Well, technically it’s only “here” if you’re reading this in Japan, but that should soon change). Toshiba’s Dynario charger packs fuel cell technology into a portable package that can provide instant power to a dead mobile phone or other gadget, completely off the grid.
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The Energy Producing Home (image:  Neumann Developments)

The Energy Producing Home (image: Neumann Developments)

Who says that a home with cutting-edge energy efficiency has to look like an ultra-modern pod? This recently completed Wisconsin home packs so much energy tech that it makes money by selling electricity back to the grid, and it still keeps a low neighborhood profile.

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The Best Shower Filters

I just replaced my shower filters, so I thought I’d update my best shower filter review from earlier this year. Each update to the review generates a lot of useful comments. So I’m incorporating what I’ve learned from those comments into this latest review. [Click to continue...]

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Kite Gen – The Future Of Wind Power?

October 21, 2009

Wind power holds great promise as a clean energy source, but current windmill generators aren’t appropriate for all locations.  Italian firm Kite Gen hopes to change that with its innovative new generator designs, which use “kites” to capture strong high-altitude winds.

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The Best iPhone Battery Pack

September 28, 2009

The iPhone can be power-thirsty. For many people a battery extender is an essential iPhone or iTouch accessory. Here are four of the best backup iPhone battery packs.
Note: iPhone battery performance times vary widely based on individual usage habits and applications. Wherever possible we have tried to give details of a backup battery’s capacity relative [...]

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Liquid-Filled LED Bulbs: 360 Degree Light

September 13, 2009

I’ve been testing a new LED bulb called the HydraLux. These unique bulbs are filled with a clear liquid coolant (a non-toxic paraffin oil). Other LED bulbs use large metal fins or fans for cooling purposes. The advantage of using a liquid coolant is that the LED bulb can produce 360° light like a regular [...]

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Best iPod Car Stereos Under $150

September 8, 2009

If you’re a music lover who spends a lot of time on the road, you don’t want to fumble with an iPod’s controls to enjoy your music. So what’s the solution? An iPod-ready car stereo receiver. And there’s no need to break the bank – here are four of the best options [...]

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How To Build A Deep Bass System For $750

July 23, 2009

In this article I will describe how to build a high-fidelity, bass-intensive sound system for under $1000. The secret ingredient of the system is the use of tactile transducers. These transducers effectively eliminate the need for expensive woofers or subwoofers. It’s an efficient method of producing deep, high-fidelity bass for a fraction of the usual cost. Many [...]

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The Best Noise Canceling Headphones

July 14, 2009

Headphones with active noise cancellation technology let travelers hear their music with greater clarity and less ear fatigue. These headphones are useful for those who want to seal out their surroundings, since noise cancellation circuitry is especially effective at countering low-frequency tones (like crowd noise or engine noise on an airplane). Here are [...]

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Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs

July 5, 2009

This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects, here are some updates:
I now have subscriptions with two local farmers (through a CSA or Community Support Agriculture). One farmer provides me with raw milk, raw butter and eggs, the other farmer provides vegetables and fruit. They both happen to deliver to same street in my neighborhood, so [...]

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Use An Ozone Generator To Purify Your Air and Water Inexpensively

July 4, 2009

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to purify water is to bubble ozone through it. Ozone is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms ( O3). It disinfects water very effectively, through a process called oxidation. Ozone ruptures the cellular structure of organisms, killing them. It also oxides toxic organic chemicals, minerals and [...]

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A Solar Flower Tower Rises In The Desert

June 23, 2009

This unusual solar tower was designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan for AORA Solar. It is set to launch on June 24 in South Israel.
The tower has 30 tracking mirrors (heliostats) that reflect sunlight towards the top of a 30-meter high solar tower. The top of the tower has a special solar receiver and a [...]

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Hyper-Efficient House Completed In Virginia

June 22, 2009

This new home in Virginia was designed for optimal efficiency. It’s the first to receive LEED platinum in Virginia.
Optimal elements that set it apart: an integrated rain water collection system (the site design features zero site runoff for a one-inch rain event), integrated geothermal wells, and exceptional indoor air quality.

The home was built by Metro [...]

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The Best Wireless Earbuds For iPods

June 14, 2009

Wireless earbuds allow you to listen to an iPod or MP3 player without a tangle of cords. They are particularly useful for listening during sporting activities, listening on-the-go.
There are two types of wireless earbuds: those that transmit wirelessly via an iPod adapter, and those that attach directly to an iPod shuffle. Most of the transmitting wireless [...]

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Efficient Home Improvement: Re-Using Materials Gets Easier

June 9, 2009

For “D.I.Y.”ers, using recycled construction products is a great way to reduce raw material consumption and lessen stress on landfills.  But for retailers, the “Re I. Y.” trend (Re-use It Yourself) is taking the idea a step further, giving unused building products a new lease on life.

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The Best Cargo Carrying Bikes Of 2009: A Review

June 5, 2009

If you are interested in carrying cargo on your bike you should consider a dedicated “cargo bike” or “utility bike”. These bikes are great for transporting luggage while commuting, touring or running errands.
Cargo bikes feature a long wheel base for more space on the rear luggage rack. They usually have a strong frame and wheels [...]

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Naturemill Pro Promises Easy & Efficient Indoor Composting

June 4, 2009

Nobody’s going to put up with a compost heap in a closet.  But what if you could quickly compost your organic waste with no odors or bugs, indoors or outside, with a device small enough to fit in a kitchen cabinet?  Naturemill promises that its Pro Edition automatic composter will do just that, producing hassle-free [...]

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How To Stay Efficiently Cool This Summer

May 31, 2009

Summertime is almost here, but hot weather doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing power bills and nonstop air conditioning. We’ve compiled these tips to help you maximize your summer comfort and energy efficiency.

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