Eco-Friendly Gadgets

Enviro-mental · #1 (**permalink**) 13-08-2009, 01:44 PM

I've read a couple of articles where they have environmentally friendly gadgets.
e.g The Universal Solar Cell Phone/ iPod Charger - Pretty self explanatory huh? Is there any others?

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 08:28 PM

contradiction in terms imo - if its a gadget that you dont really need then it idsnt eco freindly as the embodied energy of production, shipping , and retail far outweigh the tiny energy saving in charging up a mobile phone or ipod.

Meta menardi · #3 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

contradiction in terms imo - if its a gadget that you dont really need then it idsnt eco freindly as the embodied energy of production, shipping , and retail far outweigh the tiny energy saving in charging up a mobile phone or ipod.

Oh Eeyore, life is gadget based. Just keep it under control.

eeyore · #4 (**permalink**) 14-08-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Oh Eeyore, life is gadget based. Just keep it under control.

sure i understand that - but marketing stuff you dont need as "eco freindly" is somewhat disingenuous.

the most ecofreindly approach is to live a simple life and be happy with what you have, rather than buying the latest widget every five minuites (its cheaper too )

pressld2 · #5 (**permalink**) 17-08-2009, 12:16 PM

I bought myself a small wind-up torch a couple of months back. Wind-up is a bit of a misnomer in this case as it just has a small lever at the side which turns a fly wheel inside when you press it. Spend a few minutes pressing the lever and you get a couple of hours of LED light. Not the brightest torch I've ever seen but good enough to avoid tripping over things.

I take Pete's point though that if the energy cost of manufacturing the mechanism for generating and storing the charge is greater than that of the batteries it might consume during its expected life then it's not really eco-friendly. It's so hard to be sure about these things.

Dave P.

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 05:47 PM

How about the solar powered digital radio thats in the shops now?

Chucky egg · #7 (**permalink**) 25-08-2009, 09:38 AM

I have radio you wind and works on solar and would not be without it. It always comes on holiday with me.

The ethical superstore have a good range of things. The eco kettle only boils the water you need it quite hard with a standard kettle not to boil a bit too much.

x

And · #8 (**permalink**) 15-09-2009, 05:19 PM

I've got two wind - up radios, one is a proper Freeplay, also solar-powered, though an older model than those currently available. This is my bathroom radio. It's given stalwart service for quite a few years. The other is a combined torch and radio and fairly useless, to be frank. I also have a wind-up standalone torch (better) and the front light on my trike is a solar powered unit that will also recharge any batteries placed in it by solar power. Has anyone tried the wind-up phone chargers that are available?

excoriate · #9 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

sure i understand that - but marketing stuff you dont need as "eco freindly" is somewhat disingenuous.

the most ecofreindly approach is to live a simple life and be happy with what you have, rather than buying the latest widget every five minuites (its cheaper too )

Very true!
However if, like me, you tend to make things last. It might be an idea to upgrade sooner than later, to a more efficient gadget!

If they ever make a PC powered by a dynamo that can run Football Manager comfortably, I might even find myself a wife (to power the dynamo).