From the monthly archives:

July 2004

Wood Heating

July 31, 2004

If done correctly, a very efficient form of heating. See this guide to efficient wood burning. See also woodheat.org.

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Unbleached, Naturally Processed Sheets

July 31, 2004

Sheets like ones featured here are the healthiest sheets available.
Natural dyes are used for coloring, and the sheets finished without chemical softeners or chlorine. They are made from 100% organic cotton.
Since you come in contact with sheets every night, minimizing chemical residues in your sheets is quite beneficial.
Available from: Real Goods ($25-$65)

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Responsible Shopper: What Does Your Shopping Support?

July 30, 2004
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Not Very Meta-Efficient: Plastics

July 30, 2004

Plastics are not very meta-efficient. They are toxic to all forms of life, they don’t biodegrade. Practically all the plastic that’s even been made still exists – either in landfills or in places like the ocean. There are other materials that can often substitute for plastic such as ceramics or rubber. Bioplastic [...]

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Rayovac I-C3 NiMH Chargers and Batteries

July 30, 2004

Rayovac has released a new line of NiMH batteries called "I-C3" which charge in 15 minutes. Based own experience, these batteries do live up to their claim and recharge in 15 minutes and are very long lasting.

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Ikea “Billy” Corner Bookcase

July 30, 2004

A good place to find corner bookcases is Amazon.
Ikea uses renewable materials to make their Billy Corner Bookcases:
Renewable raw material (chips).
Renewable raw material (wood fibers).
The product is tested for formaldehyde according to European standard.
Possible to separate for material or energy recovery.
Available from Ikea: Ikea “Billy” Corner Bookcase ($80).

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Ikea “BONDE” Shelves

July 30, 2004

Renewable raw material (chips).
Renewable raw material (wood fibers).
The product is tested for formaldehyde according to European standard.
Possible to separate for material or energy recovery.
Available from Ikea: BONDE ($189)

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Ikea “MAGIKER” Shelves

July 30, 2004

Renewable raw material (chips).
Renewable raw material (wood fibers).
The product is tested for formaldehyde according to European standard.
Possible to separate for material or energy recovery.
Available from Ikea: MAGIKER ($99)

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Ikea “VÄRDE” Shelves

July 30, 2004

Renewable raw material (wood).
Renewable raw material (chips).
Solid wood – not from intact natural forests.
Possible to separate for material or energy recovery.
Available from Ikea: “VÄRDE” Shelves ($79)

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Ikea “Tunhem”

July 30, 2004

Renewable raw material (wood fibers and wood).
The product is tested for formaldehyde according to European standard.
Possible to separate for material or energy recovery.
Available from Ikea: Tunhem ($99)

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Ikea: “Billy” Bookshelf

July 30, 2004

Made of renewable raw material. Able to disassemble into components.
Link: Billy Bookshelf ($40)

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Karlanda Sofa and Other Renewable Furniture Available at Ikea

July 30, 2004

Ikea has
a range of furniture made from renewable sources. The Karlanda
Sofa ($849) pictured above is an example. It is built using wood not
taken from intact forests. The removable cover is a mixture of cotton and
linen. It also converts into a bed.
Unfortunately, the padding is polyurethane and the base contains particleboard.
Ah well …still, it does [...]

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Portable Summer Cabins

July 30, 2004

Mobility during the summer can be important. You may need to take that
certain someone to a cabin for a month by the dunes. These portable summer
cabins let you experience the outdoors in a comfortable, modern interior.
They have large windows and an acrylic dome skylight that allows plenty of
light inside.
The cabins, made by Pacific
Yurts, have [...]

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Compact Fluorescents: Low Mercury Bulbs

July 30, 2004

Compact fluorescents are an efficient lighting
source, but the bulbs do contain mercury (usually around 5 mg) and should
be disposed of properly. To find a place to dispose of them, search
for locations by zipcode here.
The amount of mercury contained in them is much
less than
the amount of mercury released during the production electricity needed
to run incandescent bulbs. [...]

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Recycled Toothbrush: “Preserve” by Recycline

July 30, 2004

Toothbrushes made of recycle yogurt containers.
Available from: Recycline, Toothbrushes ($2-3 each)

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(Bio)Diesel Vehicles

July 30, 2004

Diesel vehicles are meta-efficient when run with Biodiesel fuel.
Some cars are listed as "TDIs", meaning they have a Turbo-Charge
Direct Injection Engine — these cars can also be run on Biodiesel.
Diesel engines are fuel-efficient, for example VW
Jetta TDIs get around 47 mpg. Earlier diesel cars, produced in the
1960s and 1970s were noisy and produced noxious [...]

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Biodiesel FAQ

July 30, 2004

What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that runs in diesel engines — cars,
buses, trucks, construction equipment, boats, generators, and oil home heating
units. It’s usually made from soy or canola oil, and can also be made from
recycled fryer oil. You can blend it with regular diesel or run 100%
biodiesel.
What are the benefits of [...]

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Grado SR-60 Headphones

July 29, 2004

Recommended
by: CNET, StreetTech.com,
Etown and Consumer Guide
From CNET:
The Grado SR60 headphones are made in Brooklyn–and they look it. Their black-plastic design doesn’t exactly exude high tech, but as soon as doubters hear the SR60, their objections usually melt away. Converts gush about the headset’s rock-solid bass, extraordinary detail, and clarity. The SR60 has been on [...]

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Sun-Mar Toilets

July 29, 2004

Notes from Manufacturer:
The Sun-Mar’s unique patented Bio-Drum™ tumbler optimizes mixing, oxygenation
and moisture distribution. No other composting toilet includes a rotating drum.
Evaporation is optimized via large surface areas, heating evaporated surfaces,
and well-designed air flow. The finishing drawer collects compost from the Bio-Drum,
isolating it from new compost and allowing it to dry before removal.
Home Page: Sun-Mar
Price: [...]

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Biolet Toilets

July 29, 2004

Notes from Manufacturer:
BioLet composting toilets are efficient, compact
and reliable appliances which can be easily installed in any location.
All models are manufactured from durable, easy to clean ABS plastic and
non-corroding stainless steel and are backed by over 25 years of experience,
a three year limited warranty and toll free customer support.
Home Page: Biolet
Price: $1065-2000

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