From the monthly archives:

September 2004

Sustainable Kona Rugs at Crate & Barrel

September 30, 2004

This Kona rug from Crate & Barrel is made from links of coconut wood (palmwood) and is harvested from palms that no longer bear fruit. The price ranges from $49 to $599.
They also have other sustainable jute and sisal rugs. Thanks to Treehugger for the heads up.

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Another Efficient Tea: Honeybush

September 29, 2004

Honeybush is another excellent tea from Africa, like Rooibos, it is caffine-free and low in tannins. The taste is sweet with notes of apricot. It contains a high amounts of vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
It is traditionally used to treat coughs. This can be explained in part, by its content of pinitol, a modified [...]

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Aquastar 125HX

September 28, 2004

Aquastar tankless water heaters cut energy costs, because the heat the water as it is needed. These heaters are designed
so that all parts are replaceable.
Alexander Rose, who has used and reviewed this heaters says:
There is a whole Aquastar line from large ones for multi shower households, to the smaller ones like mine. Some [...]

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Optimal Chocolate: Reviews

September 24, 2004

The cacao plant, which is indigenous to Central and South America, produces a multihued pod. It’s now grown in equatorial zones around the world.
The three main categories of beans are criollo, forastero and trinitario, with a plethora of subspecies and clonal variations.
Criollos, highest in grade, are produced in small quantities because they are delicate and [...]

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Metaeffective Tea: Rooibos Red Tea

September 24, 2004

Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is a red tea grown the mountainous Cedarberg area north of Cape Town in South Africa.
During the summer months the Rooibos plants are harvested, fermented and dried in the sun. The sun induces the change from verdant green to the mahogany red of Rooibos tea.
The slightly sweet tea is free of caffeine [...]

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Hyperoptimal Tea: Mate

September 24, 2004
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Rattan Ottomans

September 22, 2004

These ottomans are made of rattan — a dense, grass-textured renewable fibre. The rattan is tightly woven around a wooden frame. Can be used as compact tables, footrests or extra seating. The set of three ottomans store inside of each other.
Available from: Gaiam ($89 for set of three).

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Metaefficient: Bamboo Cutting Boards

September 20, 2004

These are excellent cutting boards made in Bali — they look and smell great. The bamboo is pressed seemlessly together with food-grade glue to create an extremely durable cutting surface. They are never dyed or stained. You get two cutting boards for under $25 — quite metaefficient and sustainable.
Available from: Costco for $20 or Giftaria.Com [...]

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Metaefficient Hardwood Substitute: Eucalyptus

September 17, 2004

Eucalyptus is a very inexpensive hardwood and is comparable to teak or cherry in its strength and durability. Eucalyptus, however, grows quickly and can be sustainably harvested on plantations.
Its density, straight grain, smooth finish, and honey color make it an excellent choice for flooring and outdoor furniture.
Creative Woodwork International makes folding, transforming, outdoor furniture, [...]

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Bathroom Review Categories

September 16, 2004
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NEC Powermate Eco

September 15, 2004

The “PowerMate Eco” is still the only “green” computer available in the U.S. Alas, NEC does not have a computer “take back” recycling program in the U.S.
NEC brought Powermate Eco out in 2002, and it is still available from various retailers. The PC was built with non-toxicity and energy efficiency in mind. Its flat-panel screen [...]

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Very Efficient: Canon i860 Inkjet Printer

September 14, 2004

Like the Canon i560, we list this inexpensive ($100) printer because it is one of the most efficient in terms of energy consumption, ink consumption and ink price. The cover is composed of recycled plastic and is free of toxic BFR (brominated fire retardants).

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Not Efficient: Pharmaceutical Drugs Found In Rivers, Tap Water

September 14, 2004

A variety of pharmaceuticals have been found to be present in rivers and tap water in the U.S.
The drugs include painkillers, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, antibiotics, birth control pills, estrogen replacement therapies, chemotherapy agents, anti-seizure medications and many others.
The pharmaceuticals are found in treated sewage effluents, surface waters, soil, and tap water, though at very low levels [...]

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Razor Made With Recycled Plastic

September 12, 2004

This razor is made of 100% recycled plastic (65% from Stonyfield Farm® yogurt cups). It will be available in stores this month (September 2004).
It has a one-piece handle design which reduces resources consumed during manufacture. It is also recyclable, either with #5 plastics recycling or with Recycline’s postage-paid mailer — available at stores or from [...]

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Meta-Efficient: Buckwheat Pillows

September 10, 2004

The Chinese and Japanese discovered centuries ago that buckwheat hull pillows are light and fully adjustable. The Japanese in particular spent a great deal of time researching pillows, even trying porcelain pillows to achieve a healthy state of body called “Su-Kan-Soku-Netsu” or a balancing of cold and heat.
Eventually they decided that pillows made of buckwheat [...]

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Almost Meta-Efficient: Multifunctional Illuminated Furniture

September 9, 2004

The furniture featured here is definitely multifunctional, serving both as a lamp and as a table or chair. It is however, too expensive to be meta-efficient. The chairs below are priced at $2850 and the tables above go for $650-999. The ideas are intriguing though, and if built with eco-effective materials, would qualify as being [...]

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Translucent Eco-Resins

September 7, 2004

EcoResin™ by 3form is a specially formulated polyester resin which incoporates a 40% post-industrial recycled content (it meets the threshold for LEED credit).
The resins allow natural elements, textures and colors to be embedded in the translucent material, creating a striking effect. The interlayers can be arranged into thousands of combinations. Customization is encouraged by the [...]

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LED Ceiling Lights

September 7, 2004

Glen Hunter has created lighting fixtures using 1 watt LEDs and acrylic rods. He originally designed the lights to use in his off-grid house. This kind of lighting design is really pushing the efficiency envelope. They are now available from Eurolite.
More information: GlenHunter.Ca

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100% Biodegradable Carpeting: Earthweave

September 2, 2004

Earthweave is wool carpeting constructed entirely of natural materials.
The wool is raw and naturally pigmented. It is held in place with hemp or cotton (not the usual polyproylene). No chemical bonds, dyes and other agents are used.
The backings of carpets are usually the worst kind of air quality offenders. Earthweave backing is made from jute, [...]

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