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October 2005

Pure Aluminum Bottles by SIGG

If you are looking for a drink container which has a completely inert lining, you might try SIGG Bottles from Switzerland. These bottles are extruded from a single piece of pure (99.5%) aluminum. They are strong, lightweight, and do not contaminate their contents with phthalates, Bisphenol-A or other potential toxins. The liner is a food [...]

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A Modern, Green Modular Cabin: BlueSky Mod

This modern prefab cabin, called the BlueSky MOD, is one of a few examples of affordable green modular homes currently available today (see these books for more examples). It was designed by Todd Saunders, an architect born and trained in Canada and currently working in Norway. The company that sells the homes, also called BlueSky [...]

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2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Update

Honda has increased the efficiency of their new Hybrid Civic for 2006, which went on sale recently with a price tag of $21,850. Honda has improved the fuel economy by about five percent, to get 50 mpg on both EPA city and highway ratings. It looks like the Civic Hybrid and the Prius will get [...]

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Hot Electric Scooters

What are the hottest electric scooters out there? Today, one of the most popular models currently is the eGO-2 Cycle which combines the best features of a bike and an electric scooter. The eGO can be used as a bicycle but has all the equipment of a scooter, including headlights, turn signals, brakes and throttle. [...]

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High Intensity (Low Impact) Lamps

Attractive, portable fluorescent lamps are metaefficient — they allow you to light a room using as little as 10W. See our reviews of the latest compact fluorescent bulbs. Pictured here is a lamp by Foscarini. Available from YLighting. See also Ambient Direct.

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Energy Star Washer: Ecosmart GWL11 by Fisher & Paykel

This washer is no longer recommended, due to the lack of service and support. This washer from Fisher and Paykel is very efficient in terms of water use and electricity consumed, costing only about $21 annually in power, and using only 26 gallons per laundry load. The CEE (Consortium ForEnergy Efficiency) rates this washer as [...]

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Efficient: Wool Carpets by Nature’s Carpet

Wool carpeting is excellent: it’s durable, stain resistant, and completely biodegradable. It has a high initial cost, but the quality of the material justifies the investment. Nature’s Carpet offers all wool carpets. They only buy wool clipped from sheep raised where no herbicides or pesticides are used. The fiber is tested regularly for purity. The [...]

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Efficient Japanese Beds

​​​​ This bed, constructed in Japan, is made in the style of the Edo period, which was known for its simplicity and restrained elegance. It’s constructed out of sustainably-farmed solid mahogany. The bed can support a futon or a traditional style mattress. One benefit of this type of design is that no box springs are [...]

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Efficient Prototype: Washman Washer and Dryer

This washer, created by Jan Čapek and Kryštof Nosál, was designed to look attractive anywhere in your home. It’s called the Washman, and it finished second in the Elektrolux Designer Competition. The washer is targeted at younger users who don’t have space, or only need to do small loads of laundry. It features low water [...]

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Efficient Folding Beds

Folding beds have been around at least since the 1920s. The original Murphy Bed Company still exists and is selling beds today. Other companies making contemporary folding beds are: Modern Wall Beds, whose birch bed is pictured here (prices start at $1795). Bonbon in the U.K. makes elegant folding beds, but they are pricey. Others [...]

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